4 
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24. — About 1,100 square yards of the public road wlhcli passes 
through the garden lias been levelled. A water channel ou each side put 
down in brick, and the adjacent land reduced to a regular gradient. The 
laterite used in re-modelling this road was supplied by the Municipality 
as well as the labour in putting it down. The cost of the bricks and 
labour of levelling were borne by the Gardens. The levelling being 
finished, ornamental palms were planted fifteen feet apart on each side of 
the road, with a view to shading and improving its appearance. 
25. — The broad walk leading from the office towards the Band-stand 
lias undergone extensive repairs and the smaller walks have received 
attention where required. 
26. — Lakes. — The Lily lake was thoroughly cleaned out during the 
year* deepened, manured, and re-planted. In this operation a great deal 
of mud had to he removed, which occupied all the coolies for about a 
month. 
27. — The Victoria lily, planted in the small lake last year, has grown 
* and flow ered well, and seems to enjoy its new quarters. 
The ravenous and worthless fish with which the large lake teems 
prevent any ornamental water-plants growing there. These fish should, 
I think, be destroyed, and a more useful or ornamental kind substituted, 
and such as will not prevent some portion of the water being decorated 
w ith lilies, &c. 
28. — Flower Beds and Fernery.— The Bower beds throughout the 
grounds have several times been planted during the year; time could not 
he found to alter the design of the previous year, but as it is intended at 
an carlv date to overhaul the grounds generally, anv alteration for the 
t> O O v J v 
sake of change or effect will be considered. 
20. — The sale of flowers keep the heels denuded as usual. Until such 
sales are abolished, the gardens will always wear a flowerless appearance. 
The small sum annually received for flow ers is, I think, but a poor com- 
pensation for the amount of pleasure a denuded public garden must deny 
a whole community. 
e/ 
30. — A number of large trees, especially in the, vicinity of the Band- 
stand, have been pruned into pyramidal shape, chiefly with a view r to 
ridding them of parasitical growths. A good many dead trees and shrubs, 
killed chiefly by white ants, have been removed from the grounds. On 
examination, the ants were found to have attacked the roots first, and 
when a tree shewed signs of being attacked, it was generally too 
late to apply a remedy. The trees lost in this way include some fine 
specimens of Araucaria, which grew near the front entrance. 
31. — The Fernery which remained unfinished from last year has been 
completed, but not fully planted. I anticipate much trouble from the 
roots of the jungle trees which absorb the soil intended for the nourishment 
of the ferns. 
32. — The forest tree nursery was closed during the year, owing to the 
removal of forest operations to a distance. 
33. — Economic Gardens.— Through want of funds, the planting in 
the economic garden was not gone on with, and I have had to content 
* 
