27. Monkeys continued to be a big pest, damaging many of the newly 
planted saplings. During the period under review 27 monkeys were shot 
within the Gardens. 
VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ACT, 1968 
28. The Department assisted in the enforcement of this Act in respect of 
persons littering the Botanic Gardens. For this purpose, all watchmen and 
Junior Horticultural Assistants were appointed authorised officers under the 
Act. During the year 36 “tickets” were issued to offenders for littering in the 
Gardens. 
IX. ADVISORY AND EXTENSION SERVICE 
29. Some 300 plant specimens were supplied for identification by educa- 
tional and government institutions, commercial organisations and the public. 
Other botanical information was supplied vis-a-vis conservation of fruit, 
methods of mushroom cultivation, and medicinal usage of local plants. The 
Department also co-operated with foreign scientists in botanical aspects of 
research. 
30. More than 10,000 pot plants were let out on loan to government 
and civic organisations for special functions. Some 75,869 plants and cuttings, 
including 4,328 tree saplings, were supplied to schools, government depart- 
ments, quasi-government bodies, etc. The Primary Production Department 
was supplied with 53 orchid plants and cuttings and Istana Negara received 
205 orchid plant cuttings. 
31. Assistance was given to the Public Utilities Board in landscaping 
and planning the Seletar Reservoir Gardens. A number of large flower beds 
were constructed and planted with various plants particularly Canna and 
Mussaenda. Bougainvillea poultonii and Acalypha wilkesiana were planted on 
either side of the road which ran on top of the dam. 
32. Assistance was also given to the Jurong Town Corporation in the 
construction of Jurong Park. A large number of ornamental plants and 
saplings were supplied to the Corporation to start off its new plant nursery. 
X. 150th anniversary of THE FOUNDING OF SINGAPORE 
33. In conjunction with the 1 50th anniversary celebrations the Gardens 
was spruced up. The chewing gum tree (Dyera laxiflora), suitably labelled 
as being over 150 years old, was flood-lighted. 
34. The Gardens participated in an exhibition at Princess Elizabeth 
Walk organised by the Ministry of National Development. Both orchids and 
flowering plants were used in the display. In addition there was an educa- 
tional exhibit which depicted orchid flask culture and the various stages in 
orchid breeding work. Drawings of plants of economic importance were also 
on display. 
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