7 
49. — Many other trees which the late Superintendent reported were 
being “ starved in pots for want of some safe place to plant them” have been 
planted out in the shrubberies and lawns — a course which has been 
rendered safe by the present system of protection. 
50. — The progress made by the majority of these trees has been 
very great, some of them having already attained a height of over 15 
feet. 
9 
51. — Flower Beds. — The extension of floral ornamentation which 
the Gardens so much required, has received careful attention, and a 
general system of flower beds has been planned. These commence at the 
old croquet lawn in front of the aviaries and extend along the Terrace 
immediatelv below the Bandstand as far as the West Entrance, but as more 
urgent work had to be first undertaken, little more than a commencement 
could be effected before the close of the year ; this consisted in 
laying down a neat design on the old croquet lawn just mentioned. The 
carpet bedding which has been so much admired is the work of 1883, and 
does not, therefore, fall to the share of this Report. 
52. — Ornamental Lakes. — The ornamental lakes have several times 
been eleared of weeds during the year, and otherwise maintained in good 
order. The small lake has been given up entirely to the Nymphicas and 
smaller Water Lilies ; and the Victoria Regia Lily lias been accommodated 
in a special lake where it has grown and flowered very freely. 
53. — Labelling*.— The Garden collection has been labelled nearly 
* — > */ 
throughout during the vear with large labels carrying white letters on 
O tJ Q hr O 
a black ground. The printing has been done chiefly by the Garden 
Printer. 
54. — Bandstand. — 111 no part of the Garden perhaps, are improve- 
ments more noticeable than on and in vicinity of the Bandstand, which 
occupies the top of a hill in the centre of the Garden and from 
which the grounds fall in a series of terraces and gentle slopes till the 
main lawn adjoining the ornamental lake is reached. These terraces as 
well as the ground plan of the Gardens are the work of the late Mr. Niven 
and do much credit to his horticultural skill. 
55. — Improvements to the Bandstand and surroundings was a desire 
early expressed to me by the Gardens Committee, and I commenced the 
work by removing some large Crotons and other plants which had been 
placed on the stand in tubs, most of which had fallen into a dilapidated 
condition. A suitable place for these being found on the opposite side of 
the broad walk which surrounds the stand, they were replaced by hand- 
some vases ordered from China, these have been filled with plants of an 
ornamental and suitable description. 
5(). — Between the vases at suitable distance young Auricarias and 
Crotons have been planted, which being in keeping with the size and nature 
ot their surroundings have presented a pleasing and graceful appearance. 
57. — The flower-beds which the stand previously possessed have been 
considerably modified and planted with interesting flowering plants re- 
ceived from abroad. 
58. — These improvements being completed, garden seats of an orna- 
mental and comfortable nature were placed on the stand. These 
