14 
cemetery, which commemorates some 28,000 people who lost their lives during 
the last war. The headstone borders of all plots on either side of the central 
avenue were planted using Crossandra undulifolia, Galphimia glauca, 
Musscenda luteola, Gerbera jamesonii, Hemigraphis colomta , Portulacca 
grandiflora and Chlorophytum sp. The side tables of the approach road were 
planted with Lagerstrcemia speciosa and Filicium decipiens and the Chinese 
memorial area was enclosed with a hedge of Gardenia florida . 
XV. NATURE RESERVES 
61. The Board of Trustees of the Nature Reserves held three meetings 
as follows:—14th March, 30th July and 9th November. Mr. Purseglove, 
Director of the Botanic Gardens was ex-officio chairman throughout 
the year, while Mr. M. W. F. Tweedie (Mr. C. A. Gibson-Hill acted 
during Mr. Tweedie’s absence during vacation leave). Professor H. 
B. Gilliland and Mr. A. L. B. Swaine continued to serve during the period 
under review. Mr. Yap Pheng Geek resigned on 28th February and was re¬ 
placed by Mrs. A. Ede; Mr. E. Galistan and Inche Yusof bin Ishak were 
appointed on 26th June to take the place of appointees of the Legislative 
Assembly, who resigned in 1955. A member of the staff of the City Council’s 
Water Department was invited to attend the meetings. 
62. With the employment of three new Rangers from mid-year, in addi¬ 
tion to the Head Ranger, closer supervision was possible in the Bukit Timah 
and Kranji Reserves. Due to lack of a reliable boat and insufficient staff in 
the Pandan Mangrove Reserve, adequate supervision was not always possible 
in this area where thefts of timber continued on a small scale. It is hoped 
to purchase a new boat and to employ labourers in this reserve in 1957. 
A number of arrests for thefts of timber were made in the Water Catchment 
Area by the Rangers of the City Water Department, but on being brought to 
court more than half the cases were discharged and in most of the others 
only nominal fines were imposed, an insufficient deterrent to future felons. 
Seven labourers were employed throughout the year at Bukit Timah and 
two at Kranji maintaining paths and boundaries and patrolling. Path signs 
have been put up at nearly all the path intersections and a revised map of 
Bukit Timah was produced. 
63. Steps have been taken to excise about 90 acres of the Pandan 
Reserve which are now farmed as prawn ponds, while a prawn pond in the 
south of the area will be dismantled. Despite assurances given in the past, 
quarrying continues at all the quarries on Bukit Timah. Although work is 
confined to within the quarry boundaries, the boundary path at one point 
has become unsafe owing to undermining. The Bukit Timah bungalow within 
the Nature Reserves remains crown land under the control of the Land Office. 
It is hoped that this may come under the control of the Nature Reserve 
Board so that the public may continue to enjoy one of the finest vantage 
points of the island. 
XVI. SINGAPORE GARDENING SOCIETY 
64. The Society had a successful year and membership continued at 
approximately 250. Several of the monthly meetings were held at the Botanic 
Gardens when emphasis was placed on practical instruction and demonstra¬ 
tions. Mr. J. W. Ewart was Secretary for the year 1955-6 and during the 
following year has taken on the additional duty of Treasurer. The annual 
flower show held at the Happy World Stadium from 13th—I5th April main¬ 
tained its usual high standard. Mr. G. H. Addison and Mr. J. L. Pestana 
