3 
obtained towards the close of the year. The previous Overseer resigned on account 
of insufficient salary. The duties attached to the post are arduous and trying to a 
European constitution in this climate. 
MALACCA. 
Demarcation of Reserves. 
1 6. In Malacca, as in the other Settlements, demarcation constituted the 
chief work of the year. The total area demarcated was about 10,000 acres and includes 
the following reserves : — Sungei Udang, Merlimau, part of Bukit Bruang, and part of 
Bukit Panchor. The length of 8-foot boundary opened was 22 miles. The area 
surveyed, 8,865 acres, of which 3,300 acres were surveyed specially by the 
department. 
The total area taken up amounted to about 42,000 acres, of which 32,000 remain 
undemarcated. 
17. The additions made to the old reserves have been as follows : — Merlimau, 
4,000 acres; Sungei Udang, 1,300 acres; Ayer Panas, 1,675 acres; Bukit Bruang, 23 
acres (the latter purchased at a cost of about § 5 i 1 per acre); Bukit Panchor, 2,880 
acres. Total additional area, 8,203 acres. The Bukit Panchor reserve is, however, 
more of a new reserve than an addition to the old one, of which 420 acres only were 
retained. In the modification of this reserve, the Bukit Panchor hill-chain has been 
included within the boundary. Nearly all the additions made to the reserves are fairly 
well wooded and none require to be stocked artificially by planting. 
Erection of Quarters . 
18. Quarters for watchmen have been erected during the year at Briso, Merli- 
mau, and Bukit Panchor reserves, and consist of three substantial wooden buildings 
raised on piles. 
Protection . 
ig. Seven watchmen have been employed during the latter half of the year, 
and have occupied quarters at Sungei Udang, Merlimau, and Bukit Bruang. They 
have had charge of about 1,870 acres each on an average, and have kept the 
boundary paths in order. They made fifteen arrests for illicit wood-cutting within 
the reserves, and obtained ten convictions. 
Nurseries. 
20. The nursery made last year at Bukit Bruang has been maintained for expe- 
rimental purposes, in which the following plants have been tried, viz. Bassia 
longifolia ( which yields good timber and an excellent oil ) ; Cedrela odorata ; Pinus 
longifolia ; Rubber trees of sorts ; Mahogany ; Teak ; Logwood ; Mauritius Hemp ; China 
Grass ; Coffee, and several others. The Cedrela, Bassia and Mahogany have grown 
best. Mauritius Hemp has grown well, and some Chinese are about to take up its 
cultivation. 
21. About 20,000 young trees have been raised in the nursery during the year, 
chiefly Tampinis, but as these are little wanted in Malacca, they are being transported 
to the other Settlements where a supply is needed. The Ayer Panas nursery, opened 
last year, was closed during the year, owing to the cost of transport and’ difficulty 
attending its proper supervision, it being at too great a distance from the site of all 
other operations of a kindred nature. 
22. Mr. JACKSON, the Overseer, resigned at the close of the year, and as no one 
possessing the necessary qualifications could be found in the Colony, application has 
been made to the Home Government for an officer to fill thfe post. 
Specimens for Exh ibition. 
23. Specimens of the indigenous timbers, to the number of 86, and roo kinds of 
fibres, prepared mostly from Malacca plants, have been forwarded to the Colonial 
and Indian Exhibition, London. 
Herbarium specimens, to the number of 1,840, and 300 tb of seeds of the most 
valuable timber-trees have been collected and forwarded to Singapore. 
PENANG. 
Deniar cation of Reserves. 
24. In Penang, the demarcation of the hill reserves has been urgently pushed on 
and nearly completed within the year. The reserves demarcated are four in number, 
yiz. : — Bukit Batu, Bukit Lasmana, Highlands, and Muka Head. The area of these 
reserves has not yet been fully determined, but the Revenue Survey now at work will 
