I'^2 TlMEHRI. 
the making of oil, baskets, beds, etc., and (3) Pottery 
exhibit from the Vreed-en-Rust Works, Demerara River, 
shewing the manufa6lure of flower-pots, goglets, etc. 
On consideration of a complaint against the trained 
workmen of the Botanic Gardens competing for prizes, 
the Committee have this year added a condition to the 
prize-list to the elTe6l that " employees of Botanic or 
Public Gardens may exhibit, but cannot compete for 
prizes in classes A B C & D, but special prizes may 
be awarded to them." 
Copies of the Prize-list, 1899, are herewith enclosed. 
Professor Harrison obje6led to the new rule under 
which employees of Botanic or Public Gardens could 
not compete in classes A to D, as he considered it to 
be a refle6lion on the authorities of the Gardens. An 
unfounded complaint made last year that certain em- 
ployees had exhibited plants belonging to the Gardens' 
was no doubt the reason for this rule, but he could not 
ee why sixty or seventy people should be excluded on 
uch baseless grounds. 
Drs. Ford and Matthey agreed with Professor Harrison, 
Mr. Quelch said he had received letters on the matter 
which would be placed before the next meeting of the 
Committee, 
The President said that the Committee in arrivingf at 
^he decision in question never intended to cast any re- 
fle6lion on the authorities of the Botanic Gardens. They 
considered that men trained by Mr. Jenman could hardly 
*n fairness be allowed to compete with others who had 
no such training. 
It was fi'-ally resolved, on the motion of Dr. Matthey, 
seconded by Professor Harrison, that the Committee of 
Correspondence be requested to reconsider the matter. 
The; following reply of the Government in r^ the 
