ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GARDENS, 
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1933 
By R. E. Holttum, m.a., f.l.s. 
STAFF 
The Director was in charge throughout the year. Mr. M. R. Henderson, 
Curator of the Herbarium, and Mr. J. Lennon, Assistant Curator Parks were 
on duty throughout the year. Mr. E. J. H. Corner, Assistant Director was 
absent on furlough from June 17th and received one month’s extension of 
leave, to work on fungus specimens at Kew. Mr. C. X. Furtado, Assistant 
Botanist, was granted permission to visit Berlin Botanic Garden, to study palms, 
in place of ordinary leave, and was absent from Singapore from 17th April, 
1933. Mr. F. Flippance, Assistant Curator, Waterfall Gardens, Penang, was 
absent on furlough from April 12th to December 7th. Mr. G, A. Best was 
transferred to Penang to take charge during Mr. Flippance’s absence and 
went on furlough on December 9th. There was no change in the local staff. 
LABOUR 
The average number of gardeners and coolies employed at Singapore was 
84, at Penang 53. Wages remained as during the latter part of 1932. There 
were a number of cases of malaria among coolies at Penang between February 
and May; the matter was taken in hand by the Health Department. An'i- 
malarial work in the Waterfall Garden was continued by the Health Department 
throughout the) year. One death occurred among the coolies employed on the 
hill at Penang. The health of labourers at Singapore was good. 
REVENUE 
The revenue from the sale of plants etc. was as follows:— 
$ c. 
Singapore — 
Sale of plants and seeds 
Inspection fees etc. 
Rents 
1,737 57 
182 00 
59 00 
Penang — 
Sale of plants and seeds . . .. 295 28 
In addition, the Municipal Commissioners at both Singapore and Penang 
paid to the Government a sum of $100 monthly for the services of Gardens 
officers in connection with supervision of planting roadside trees etc. 
PLANT COLLECTIONS AND FIELD EXCURSIONS 
Mr. Corner continued his investigations of the swamp forest at the 15th 
mile, Jurong Road. An attempt was made to obtain as complete as possible 
a photographic record of the trees of this forest, as it was being felled. The 
numbers of individual trees of each species in two acres of the forest were 
counted, and similarly, for a preliminary comparison, in 2% acres of the swamp 
forest by Mandai Road. During the course of this work several little known 
species of botanical interest have been discovered. Mr. Corner also made 
a few excursions to the Sungei Tiram, Johore, and grateful thanks are expressed 
to Messrs. Lloyd and Reginato, of Ulu Tiram Estate, for their assistance and 
hospitality. 
The Director took leave in February and visited Sumatra, where he made 
small collections of specimens on Mt. Dempo, Korinchi Peak, and Mt. Merapi 
