ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CARDENS* DEPARTMENT, 
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS, FOR THE YEAR 1937 
By K. J. H. Corner, Acting Director of Gardens, S.S. 
STAFF 
Several changes affecting the European staff occurred during the year 
as a result of which two duty-posts in Singapore were vacant throughout. 
The retirement of the late Mr. O. A. Best, Assistant Curator of Gardens, 
Singapore, became effective on August 30th, after leave dating from 
February 12th; at the end of 1937, it was learnt with deep regret that 
Air. Best had died on October 21st at Bournville, England, after being 
injured in a street accident. Mr. J. W. Ewart was appointed from the 
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to the post of Assistant Curator of Gardens, 
Singapore, and arrived in the Settlement on October gth. Until this date 
tlie duties of Assistant Curator, Gardens, were shared by Mr. E. J. H. 
Corner, Assistant Director, and Mr. J. C. Nauen, Assistant Curator, Parks. 
On October 8th Mr. R. E. Hoi/ttum, Director, proceeded on leave and 
Mr. Corner was appointed Acting Director. 
Mr. F. Flippance, Assistant Curator of Gardens, Penang, went on 
leave on February 26th and on December 19th he was appointed Superinten¬ 
dent, Gardens and Forestry Department, Hongkong. Mr. Flippance, who 
was appointed to the Gardens’ Department in 1919, had been in charge of 
the Waterfall Gardens at Penang since 1921. O11 February 27th Mr. M. R. 
Henderson, Curator of the Herbarium, was transferred to Penang and took 
charge of the Waterfall Gardens throughout the year. The duties of 
Curator of the Herbarium were shared by Mr. Corner and Mr. C. X. 
Furtado, Assistant Botanist. 
Other members of the staff were on duty throughout the year. 
LABOUR 
The labour-force at Singapore and Penang remained approximately the 
same as in 1936 : 85 labourers were employed at the Botanic Gardens, 57 at 
Government House Domain, and 54 at the Waterfall Gardens. In accord¬ 
ance with the Government regulations, the rates of pay were altered from 
the first of January. The minimum rate was increased from 47 cents per 
day to 50 cents per day : a rise of two cents per day was given to labourers 
with five or more years service and an extra two cents per day to labourers 
for whom no quarters could be provided. The health of the force was 
generally satisfactory, though two cases of chronic malaria occurred in 
Singapore. 
REVENUE 
The revenue from the sale of plants, etc., was as follows : 
Singapore;— 
$ c. 
Sale of plants and seeds 
Inspection fees, etc. ... 
Municipal Contribution 
U 7 S 6 63 
335 98 
2,300 00 
Penang :— 
Sale of plants 
Sale of Guides 
595 91 
8 70 
Municipal Contribution 
1,200 00 
