8 



(which is at present far too small) by bringing it out nearly to 

 the main walk, thus occupying the place of the old Conser- 

 vatory, and I hope that before my next annual Report is 

 written this work will be completed. 



As the roof of the Corporation reservoir was dilapidated 

 and required renewal an application was made to the Borough 

 Engineer to have it covered with concrete on iron cross rails, 

 and to allow us to use it as a tank in which to grow aquatic 

 plants, and I am pleased to be able to say that the application 

 was successful, and the staff of the Corporation have now 

 nearly completed the work. This tank is 60 ft x 17 ft and will 

 allow of 18 to 24 inches of water ; in the centre is a pit for the 

 purpose of growing the Victoria regia, the seeds of which 

 we already have ; other aquatic plants both indigenous and 

 imported will also be planted, and every care will be taken to 

 make this an attractive feature of the Gardens, and in my next 

 Report I hope to be able to say that it has been made a success. 

 The hearty thanks of he Committee and myself are due and 

 offered to the Durban Corporation and the Borough Engineer 

 for so kindly acceeding to our request. The new building for 

 the herbarium will be found noted in the accompanying Report 

 on the work of the Colonial Herbarium. 



Requests have been made to the Committee, the Curator 

 and the Corporation for a gate to be placed on the opposite 

 side of the Gardens to the present entrance, but for many 

 reasons wbich will be evident to any person acquainted with 

 the circumstances, and being familiar with the work of a 

 Botanic Garden, it was impraticable to comply with this 

 request. A path has however, been cut through the bush into 

 Currie Road, and a set of steps made near to the Jubilee Con- 

 servatory, and as soon as the work is finished this entrance will 

 be open to the public during the hours that the Jubilee Con- 

 servatory is open, and this should I think satisfy all reasonable 

 demands. 



I regret to have to report that we are still subject to 

 depredations of various kinds ; quite a number of Palms have 

 been stolen from the Nursery, and we have not been able to 

 obtain any clue that would lead to the detection of the thief, or 

 thieves; damage to seats and smaller mischievous acts are 

 occasionally committed, but with the exception of the Palms 

 and one good seat completely destroyed, the damage has not 

 been very great. 



A number of fruits of " Coco de Mer " (Lodoicea Seychell- 

 arum) were offered for sale and we obtained half a dozen, which 

 have been planted, but it will be a year or two before they 

 germinate, if even they grow at all ; the success of the plant in 

 our climate is problematical, but is worth ihe trial. 



