22 



a somewhat delapidated state, some of these notes are worth 

 quoting. The first entry is signed by Messrs. H. J. Barrett, 

 Hyp. Jargal, W. Dacomb, and Jas. G. Grundy, and they re- 

 commend the Curator to " attach some bush fencing to the 

 gate to exclude cattle " and direct that he should be paid 16s. 

 for food for two kafirs, and 10s. for repairs to his dwelling 

 house. On September 3rd, 1853, the Curator is anthorised to 

 employ four kafirs at 12s. each per month, they finding their 

 own food. In 1854 they report the following donations from 

 diif erent persons : — 1 Garden Trowel, 1 set of iron wedges, 

 1 knife stone, 1 bottle ink for labels (as sample), 4 loads of 

 manure, and seeds of skinless oats, Scotch Fir, and Mistletoe. 

 The last two entries in the book are, I think, worth copying 

 entire, they are as follows : — August 21st, 1859. Visited the 

 Gardens in company with my walking-stick, and nearly stuck 

 in the mud, Curator came to meet me ; consulted him about 

 proceeding, took his advice and splashed through it, arrived at 

 the Gardens and inspected some dinner at 1 p.m. (Signed) 

 W. A. Eraser. 



The last entry in the book is dated December 22nd, I860. 

 Visited the Gardens in company with my friend, Mr. Wood- 

 cock, found them in very good order, and not only met with a 

 hearty welcome from the Curator, but found them much im- 

 proved by Mr. McKen's presence there, only we would wish 

 that the Curator would be provided with a filter, as the water 

 is awfully muddy, and full of tadpoles. (Signed) A. E. 

 Titren. 



1854. 



The Hon. G. Rutherford was elected President and the 

 Curator's salary raised to £60 per annum, and the following 

 resolution passed: "That the Natal Agricultural and Horti- 

 cultural Society do hereby wish to record their sense of the 

 loss sustained by the Colony generally and by this Society in 

 particular in the untimely and unexpected death of their late 

 President, Dr. William Stanger, whose scientific acquirements 

 and energy directed as they were by intelligence, consti- 

 tuted him one of the most valuable members of our little 

 community." In June, Mr. A. Smith resigned his position as 

 Curator, the resignation to take effect in August, and at the 

 next meeting Mr. Plant was elected to his place at the same 

 salary. On August 4th, the Annual Meeting was held, and the 

 following names appear on the Committee: W. H. Savory, G. 

 H. Wirsing, R. Raw, T. Dand, A. Moore, Pulleyn, and W. G. 

 Harvey, and at the same meeting the thanks of the Society 

 were offered to His Honour the Lieut. -Governor for the intro- 

 duction into the Estimates of an Annual Grant of £50. On 



