12 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 
to have the unsightly mass pulled down on my recovery \ and eve n at 
the present time my hands retai n traces of severe bruises received while 
practically showing liow the rocks should be placed. Besides this sort 
of thing there is a large amount of correspondence to answer daily, 
from persons writing as to the habits and culture of plants, which I am 
compelled to attend to. The frequent cases of insubordination which 
occurred during the past year, point to the fact that unless proper con- 
trol is given, it is in vain to expect discipline. Any man who considers 
himself harshly or unjustly treated, has always the power of appeal, 
but so long as the staff are not immediately responsible to the head of 
the branch the matter becomes serious, especially where neglect or 
ignorance may cause the loss of valuable plants, some perhaps scarcely 
to be replaced. The best way to secure proper service would be to 
leave with the Director the selection and responsibility of his staff. 
Such is the rule adopted in all other Botanic Gardens. 
The bridge over the lagoon near the Fern Gully should, as mentioned 
in my last annual report be an arched rustic one faced with rock work, 
to be in keeping with the surroundings. The fern gully is now one of 
the attractions of the Garden, and it is gratifying to learn from the 
remarks of the visitors that the prognostications made at its commence- 
ment that it would be a failure have proved incorrect in public 
opinion. The shade afforded the ferns by the transplanted large trees 
have greatly aided their development, and the spot is now much 
frequented by visitors to the Garden. 
At the close of this report I have given an amended code of regula- 
tions for the safe keeping of the Gardens, which I trust will be adopted. 
They are almost identical with those now in force in the Botanic 
Gardens of Sydney Adelaide and Brisbane. Rule 1, for instance, 
would be a decided improvement. Smoking in the Garden is often a 
source of annoyance. Larrikins puffing their clouds of smoke into ladies’ 
faces is at present a great nuisance, and one often complained of. 
Work requires to be pushed on vigorously in the Domain, to make 
the construction of the private grounds keep pace with the completion 
of Government House. Until the crest of the hill fronting the house 
has been removed by the Public Works Department it will be impossible 
to form the lawn. This work however is now in progress. 
An extra sum of money is needed for other improvements in the 
Domain. The soil in some places is naturally poor, a large amount of 
labour is necessary ; lifting large trees to suitable spots necessitates 
very heavy work ; and the same remark applies to the large quantities 
of gravel required for walks &c. 
