of three other persons in the subsequent chase and the seizure of a van loaded 
with oxyacetylene apparatus. The Police and the office watchman, who had 
perforce to play the part of a vicarious votive, are to be commended for the 
success of the operation. 
VI. VISITORS 
9. Among the many prominent visitors who called at the office were: 
His Excellency, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, Inche Yusoff bin Ishak on an 
official tour of inspection; 
H.R.H. Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Head of State, Cambodia, and Madame 
Norodom Sihanouk; 
Dr. Phay Seng Whatt, Chairman, Public Service Commission, Singapore; 
Professor E. E. Trease, Department of Pharmacy, Nottingham University; 
Professor L. J. Audus, Department of Botany, University of London; 
Mr. Anthony Johnston, F.A.O., Bangkok; 
Dr. C. F. Hickling, Department of Technical Co-operation, London; 
Mr. D. J. Eyre, Minister for Defence, New Zealand; 
Brigadier R. H. Perry (retiring), and Mr. C. D. Jack (designate). Regional 
Director, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, New Delhi; 
Professor B. J. Grieve, University of Western Australia; 
Dr. T. H. Everett, New York Botanical Garden; 
Mr. R. Smith, Department of Agriculture, North Borneo; 
Dr. J. W. Blencoe, Rubber Research Institute, Kuala Lumpur; 
and many others. These visits afforded occasion for useful and interesting 
discussion. 
10. In addition many research workers also visited the office to make 
use of the facilities of the herbarium, library and gardens. These included : 
Professor Wm. Macnae, Department of Zoology, Witwatersrand University, 
South Africa — mangrove communities; 
Mr. B. L. Burtt and Mr. P. Woods, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh — 
Gesneriaceae; 
Dr. Wm. Meijer, Forest Department, Sandakan — forest botany; 
Dr. J. A. R. Anderson, Forest Department, Kuching — forest botany; 
Dr. P. Guinet, French Institute, Pondicherry — palynology. 
The facilities of the Department were also extended to members of the staff 
and to sponsored students of the Universities of Singapore and Malaya, and 
to other official organisations. 
11. The usual very large number of casual visitors came to the Gardens 
during the year. 
VII, STATE GIFTS 
12. On the occasion of the visit to the Botanic Gardens of H.R.H. Prince 
Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia and Madame Norodom Sihanouk, ten 
mature orchid plants were presented to them. This visit was also marked by 
orchid hybrid family No. BGS. 2705 ( Vanda Tan Chay Yan x Renanthera 
coccinea) being named Renantanda Prince Norodom Sihanouk, one plant of 
which was included in State gift. 
VIII. CONCERTS 
13. The Singapore Police Band gave II concerts in the Gardens during 
the year. These were well attended by the public. The Police Commissioner 
and the Police Bandmaster are thanked for this courtesy. 
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