I. FUNCTION 
To conduct research into the regional flora and to provide a taxonomic 
service in support of technological activity concerning Malesian plant life: 
to conduct research into tropical horticulture. 
II. STAFF 
2. There has been no change in establishment. The Director was away 
on overseas leave from 17th July to 26th November, during which time Dr. 
Chew Wee-Lek acted. Mr. Lam Hin Cheng, Curator, was seconded on 26th 
June to the Tree Planting Unit of the Public Works Department, and from 
that date Mr. Ang Gek Choc, Horticultural Assistant, was acting Curator as 
well as covering the duties of his substantive post. One Junior Horticultural 
Assistant’s post was vacant from 21st June to 29th December. Haji Mohd. 
Amin bin Haji Eksan, Ranger, was awarded the Long Service Medal ( Pingat 
Bakti Setia) in the National Day Honours 1967. He retired on 15th November 
after 33 years 10 months’ service. 
III. LABOUR 
3. The labour force remained at 99 as at the end of 1966. This figure 
included two men and five women employed in the Herbarium. There were 
in addition nine labourers employed in general upkeep work in the Nature 
Reserves — seven at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and two at Kranji Nature 
Reserve. Health has been good and duties were satisfactorily carried out. 
IV. BOTANIC GARDENS ORDINANCE AND BY-LAWS 
4. The provisions of the Ordinance worked satisfactorily. The By-laws 
(Botanic Gardens Rules, 1958) were amended to legalise the exclusion of all 
vehicular traffic from the Gardens ( Gazette Notification No. S 98 of 2nd June, 
1967). Traffic was excluded from 5th June. This has very greatly improved 
the utility of the Gardens as a place for recreation. One letter of complaint 
was published in the press and was replied to. No complaint was made direct 
to the Department: on the contrary, there have been several favourable 
comments. Since closure, about 20 cases per month of unauthorised entry 
have been reported by the watchmen, mostly motorcycles and bicycles and 
entering via the Main Gate, and private cars and taxis by the Office Gate. 
Offenders pleaded ignorance and have so far been only cautioned. Prosecution 
under the Botanic Gardens Ordinance is cumbersome and in this respect there 
is need to amend the schedule of public roads to include the Botanic Gardens 
roads and paths so that such offences may be dealt with under the Road 
Traffic (Composition of Offences) Rules 1958. 
