ADMINISTRATION 
I. STAFF 
The extremely difficult staff position recorded for 1957 remained little re¬ 
lieved in 1958 and shortages still threw an undue burden on available per¬ 
sonnel and greatly limited the activity of the Department. 
2. It is with regret that the deaths are recorded of two faithful long 
service members of the Department during 1958. Haji Mohamed Nur bin 
Mohamed Ghous, b.e.m., re-engaged pensioner. Herbarium and Museum 
Assistant, died on the 8th November at the age of 60 years. He had served 
the Department since 1st January, 1913 and for his outstanding ability and 
faithful service was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1955. ’Che Ngadiman 
bin Haji Ismail, pensioner, lately Head Ranger, Nature Reserves, died at the 
age of 54 years on 24th September, eight months after his retirement. He 
has served the Department since 1st January, 1921. 
3. The post of Assistant Director was vacant throughout the year. Local 
and overseas advertisement produced no response. The post of Librarian, 
vacant January to March, was filled on 1st April by the appointment of 
Mr. Tan Kim Ho. The post of Herbarium and Museum Assistant fell vacant 
on 8th November on the death of Haji Mohamed Nur bin Mohamed Ghous. 
’Che Mohamed Shah acted in the vacancy for the rest of the year, and was 
later confirmed in the post. 
4. Three officers. Botanist, Horticultural Assistant and Laboratory 
Assistant were absent on training awards in England, the first two for the 
whole year, the third for 11 months. For details see paragraph 9. Dr. Furtado, 
Government pensioner, lately Botanist of this Department, was retained as 
a training replacement officer in the post of Botanist. 
5. The Director was on long delayed overseas leave from 5th April 
to 2nd November inclusive. During this period Mr. Addison, Curator, acted 
as Director. 
6. The Director was Acting Agricultural Officer, Singapore, in addition 
to his other duties, from 1st to 10th January. 
7. Of the administrative staff, the post of Higher Clerical Officer was 
upgraded to that of Executive Officer in the newly created Executive Service. 
There was no change in personnel in the office and the duties of the new 
post of Executive Officer, which remained vacant throughout the year, were 
carried out by the person holding the junior post of Higher Clerical Officer 
of the previous year’s establishment. 
II. LABOUR 
8. The labour force averaged 72 men, women and juveniles at the 
Gardens, four in the herbarium, 55 in the Government House Domain and 
9 in the Nature Reserves. 
III. TRAINING 
9. Under the Government’s policy of training personnel, three officers 
were away overseas. 
(i) Mr. Chew Wee Lek, Botanist, continued to study at Cambridge 
University, England, for a post-graduate degree, under Mr. 
Corner, who was Assistant Director, Botanic Gardens, Singa¬ 
pore, and who retired in 1946. 
