ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GARDENS, 
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS, FOR THE YEAR 1936 
By R. E. Holttum, m.A., F.i,.s., Director of Gardens, S.S. 
STAFF 
Mr. M. R. Henderson, Curator of the Herbarium, was absent oil leave 
from February 19th to December iSth; during this absence he spent one 
month on duty at Kew, consulting specimens and literature not available 
in Singapore. It is reported with regret that Mr. G. A. Eest, Assistant 
Curator, Gardens, Singapore, was certified on medical grounds to be unfit 
for further service from November 28th. He has served since 1921. The 
remaining members of the staff were on duty throughout the year. 
Mr. C. X. Furtado, Assistant Botanist, spent most of April on duty at 
Buitenzorg, for the purpose of studying palms (as reported below). He 
visited the Botanic Gardens, the Herbarium and the Forestry Institute, to the 
officials of which grateful thanks are offered for facilities provided to 
Mr. Furtado in his work. 
LABOUR 
The labour force both at Singapore and Penang remained approximately 
the same as in 1935, and rates of pay were unchanged. Health was again 
satisfactory, and it is gratifying to report that for the first time no cases of 
malaria were recorded among the staff at Penang, including the watchmen 
who are on duty at night. This state of affairs indicates the efficiency of 
the anti-malarial work carried out by the Health Department. 
At Singapore the Tamils employed at the Gardens and in Government 
House Domain took part in the general strike of Tamil labourers from 
December 2nd to 14th. Some Malays and Javanese were taken on tem¬ 
porarily to carry on necessary duties, and a few of these were retained 
permanently, the Tamil staff being correspondingly reduced. 
REVENUE 
The revenue from the sale of plants, etc. was as follows : — 
Singapore:— 
$ c. 
Sale of plants and seeds ... ... 1,678 83 
Inspection fees, etc. ... ... 349 45 
Penang :-—- 
Sale of plants and seeds ... ... 566 16 
Sale of guides ... ... ... 6 00 
At both Singapore and Penang the Municipal Commissioners paid the sum 
of $100 p.m. for advice regarding the planting and maintenance of Roadside 
Trees. 
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