ADMINISTRATION 
I. STAFF 
There was no change in establishment during the year. The improvement of 
the staff position recorded in last year’s report was maintained. One Curator’s 
post was vacant for the first 8 months of the year, but by the end of 1960 
all Division 1 and II posts were substantively filled. The important sub- 
ordinate post of Horticultural Assistant in Division III, vacated by pro- 
motion of the holder, remained vacant for the last four months of the year. 
The services of Dr. C. X. Furtado were retained till August as a replacement 
officer for staff away on training. The Director, away on overseas leave from 
mid-December 1959 returned to duty on 9th February. During his absence 
Mr. Alphonso acted as Director. 
2. In the 1957 Report a new venture in staff employment was recorded, 
the appointment of a totally blind telephone operator, the first blind person 
so employed in Singapore. Another successful venture can now be reported. 
A few years ago a cured patient of Trafalgar Home was taken onto the 
Gardens’ establishment. Only the man concerned, the Director of the Botanic 
Gardens, the hospital almoner and the confidential branch of the Establish- 
ment Office knew the medical details of this appointment. For obvious 
reasons, till the man had established his niche amongst his new colleagues, 
the matter has remained a secret. Now after several years of working here, 
there cannot be any valid objection by those with whom he works to a con- 
tinuation of this harmony, even though they may now learn his history. May 
this be an example to help in breaking down age-old ignorant social prejudice 
which besets persons cured of leprosy when they leave the confinement of 
their isolation after successful treatment. 
II. TRAINING 
3. Dr. Chew Wee Lek, Botanist, awarded a Government Fellowship to 
study for a Ph.D. degree at Cambridge University, returned to duty on 18th 
August after successful completion of his course of study. 
4. From 28th October to 8th December, Dr Chew Wee Lek attended 
an U.N.E.S.C.O. Field Training Course held in West Java. The course, which 
was fully financed by U.N.E.S.C.O., and run by the staff of the Bogor 
herbarium, was intended to teach young botany graduates how to work in 
the forest under primitive conditions. 
HI. LABOUR 
5. The labour force was on average 71 labourers and gardeners in the 
Botanic Gardens, 54 in the Istana Negara Domain, 8 men in the Nature 
Reserves, and 2 men and 2 women in the herbarium. 
IV. BUILDING AND ROADS 
6. Gardens resources undertook the following work: 
(i) A new wooden bridge on the path around the Lake was put up 
over the overflow spillway. The path itself was also raised and 
resurfaced on the south and south-western sides of the Lake. 
The path edges were curbed to prevent erosion. 
