REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE 
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presents a pleasing appearance, though time will permit of further 
improvements. Amongst the ferns added to this gully were the follow- 
ing : — Gleichenia flabillata, G. circinala, Hymenophyllum demissum , 
H. nitens, Trichomanes venosum, Doodia caudnta, Blechnum cartila- 
gineum , Polypodinm australe, Pteris incisa , Doodia aspera, aud 
others. 
The Footpaths, formed by the Public Works Department, on either 
side of the drive in the grounds, are very unsightly and are of no 
material advantage. Last year it was found necessary to cut off portions 
of them, to give effect to a requisite alteration in the drive, by which to 
shut out the house from the latter, at a particular spot. These paths 
might be dispensed with. More than 1,400 yards of walks were 
gravelled, and margined with gutter-tiles for surface drainage. About 
400 yards of storm water drainage, were also laid, of 4-inch and 6-inch 
pipes respectively. Through the kindness of Mr. R. S. Inglis of Rich- 
mond a number of large specimens of Pi.ltospornm undvlafnm, P. 
nigrcscrns and Corynocarpus (New Zealand Karaka), were received, and 
distributed through the private grounds. The whole of these grounds 
are much exposed to hot and cold winds ; harsh gales occasionally blow 
off the branches of young trees, and hence great care is necessary in 
selecting plants suitable to the soil and sitttation. Those portions of the 
grounds in which trees and shrubs have been planted were carefully 
dug over several times during the year. During the late dry summer 
it took nearly all the time of the staff to keep the plants alive by copious 
watering, and the weeds consequently made great headway, giving much 
afterwork to eradicate them. Water pipes are now laid all over the 
Government House Lawn to the various groups. 
In the Domain, five iron and wooden houses were removed from near 
the Immigrants’ Home, and carefully stacked. From these materials 
several out-houses for tools, &c., were built ; and the debris was also found 
very useful in patching the gardeners’ houses; a tool and cart shed 60 
feet long was also built with material from the old houses. A hedge of 
Acacias was planted in an appropriate spot ; and 175 yards of footpaths 
7 feet wide reconstructed. About an acre of ground was thoroughly 
trenched and drained, and added to the outer nursery in Domain; a 
good substantial fence was placed around it, and there is now an excel- 
lent collection of young trees ready for planting out in spring. Near 
this spot 3| acres were fenced in for a horse paddock. 
The Domain greatly needs a special vote for its improvement. Before 
much can he done, it requires draining, trenching, levelling, and sowing 
