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VII. LABOUR 
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47. With four members of the daily-rated labourers transferred to the 
Upkeep of Herbarium vote on the 1st January, the average strength of daily- 
rated force at the Gardens was 74. A total of 226 man-days was lost on 
account of sick leave supported by certificates, while an even greater time 
was lot by men visiting hospital and not being certified sick or by taking 
their families for medical treatment. Wages amounted to $106,619 during the 
year. The rates of pay remained unchanged. The daily labour force in Gov- 
vemment House Domain averaged 56. 
VIII. BUILDING AND ROADS 
48. No major work was done on roads, paths and drains during the 
year, except for the road in the orchid enclosure which was reduced to 12 feet 
and new drains were constructed. The new flame gun was found suitable for 
controlling weeds in the paths and drains, with the exception of nut-grass 
{Cyperus rotundus ). A granite retaining wall, approximately 636 feet in 
length, was constructed round the lower end of the lake by the Public Works 
Department. This is a great improvement as the grass banks were giving way 
in places and were unsightly and dangerous, as well as providing breeding 
places for mosquitoes. A path was made above the wall. At the same time 
the Gardens’ mason re-constructed the overflow channel and built a new 
pipe line to drain the lake, setting it 3 feet lower than the old one, which 
will thus permit the lake to be more efficiently weeded. The bridge over 
the lake outlet was repaired and provided with tembusu posts and railings. 
Part of the lake bank on lawn F was faced with split nibong ( Oncosnerma 
tigillarid). The derelict shelter on lawn E was demolished as it was unsightly 
and serving no useful purpose. 
49. The pergola on the east side near the plant house was completed 
in November. It was constructed of tanalised kempas (Koompassia malac- 
censis) and the cost, including treatment, was rather less than half that of 
west side which had been built of Chenghai (Balanocarpus heimii ) in 1955. 
The chenghai on the plant-house side was untreated, while the other half, 
nearer the office, had been brushed with solignum. It will be of interest to 
compare the durability of these timbers. By this work the plant house and 
environs, which are such a prominent feature of the Gardens, have been vastly 
improved. Work still remaining to be done there includes the construction of 
a water-lily pond in the centre of the Zoysia lawn and a new tank for mixed 
water plants at the south end. The pergola on the band-stand terrace collapsed 
during a storm in April and is now being re-built. 
50. Two of the orchid seedling houses on lawn X below the Director’s 
house were demolished and rebuilt inside the orchid enclosure, together with 
two new houses, one for orchids and the other for succulents. More benches 
were set up for flowering potted plants on lawn P within the enclosure. 
IX. LIBRARY 
51. Mrs. Lynas was appointed as temporary Librarian on the 1st 
October. With no Librarian on duty for most of the year only care and 
maintenance can be recorded. Hand poisoning of books and periodicals was 
continued throughout the year. Damage by beetles continues to a lesser extent, 
particularly on books still housed, through lack of space, in the herbarium 
and offices. Depredation among the more valuable books housed temporarily 
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