17 
5. Katong Park : In accordance with a plan submitted, work was 
begun on a new layout of shrubberies. 
6. King George V Memorial Park : Work was begun by digging- 
planting holes at suitable places, and a considerable number of plants were 
propagated for planting in 1937. 
7. Municipal Offices: In accordance with a plan submitted, an 
arrangement of beds was made in front of the Municipal Offices. The 
following plants were planted. Vanda Miss Joaquim, Vinca rosea and var. 
alba, Crossandra undulcefolia, Alstonia venanata, Angelo nia, . Verbena 
tenera, perennial Asters and Ccesalpinia pulcherrima. 
Other work. — At the MacRitchie Reservoir 30 Saracas were added to 
those already planted beside the path at the head of the reservoir, and 
also 20 Cassia nodosa. At the Pierce Reservoir about 100 miscellaneous 
trees were planted. 
Penang 
Bel Retiro. — The garden, and a varied display of pot plants, was 
maintained as usual throughout the year. It is one of the most attractive 
gardens in Malaya, and many visitors, both residents and tourists, have 
taken advantage of H.E. the Governor’s permission to visit it. Additional 
improvements made during the year have been as follows : The Terrace 
at the south end of the building was grassed and paths made leading to the 
steps. The plants beside the steps at the north end of the building were 
renewed, the verges grassed over, and conifers in concrete pots placed at 
the top and bottom. The paths have nearly all been surfaced with asphalt 
by the Public Works Department, the necessary preliminary preparation 
being done by the Gardens Department; this will result in the release of 
labour from the work of path maintenance to other purposes. 
A case of 27 hybrid Rhododendron plants was received from Kew for 
trial on the hill; these are mostly hybrids of Malayan mountain species 
which are used for greenhouse purposes in Europe. Three plants have 
died, and the others have made new growth. The following Australian 
plants of recent introduction have been planted out and are doing well : 
Acacia rosteUifera, A. cyanophylla, Callistemon lanceolata, Melaleuca 
styphelioides. Seedlings of Boronia megastigma have been raised, but 
growth is slow. Seedlings of Cl-ianthus Dampieri (a beautiful New Zealand 
shrub) died after attaining six to nine inches in height. Thunbergia 
coccinea flowered, but hardly seems sufficiently decorative to be worth 
cultivating. Three Clematis Jackmannii hybrids presented by L/t. Comdr. 
Owen, have made good growth and it is hoped they will flower in due 
course. 
Other hill gardens. — At Strawberry Hill, new plants of the. common 
variety of Juniperus chinensis of irregular habit were planted in the four 
central beds to relieve the flat effect and to contrast with the pyramidal 
Junipers in the outer circle. At the Crag Hotel major operations of re¬ 
arrangement had been completed in 1935. The chief additional planting 
in 1936 was a group of Poinsettia between the entrance terraces and the pot 
plant nursery. All slopes and terraces seem to have consolidated and no 
slips occurred during the wet season. The gardens at the Government 
Bungalows on the hill were maintained as usual. Their re-design lias been 
completed, and only small improvements or changes were made during 
the year. 
The Residency. — As from January 1st, 1936, this garden came under 
the immediate supervision of the Assistant Curator and the vote for upkeep 
