ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF GARDENS, 
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1934 
By R. E. Holttum, m.a., p.L.s .—Director of Gardens, Straits Settlements. 
STAFF 
The Director was absent on leave from March 16th to November 9th; 
during his absence Mr. M. R. Henderson acted as Director. During his leave, 
the Director visited the Botanic Gardens at Kew, Wisley, Cambridge, Leiden, 
Utrecht, Groningen, Glasgow and Edinburgh; he also examined specimens 
at the herbaria at Kew, The British Museum, Leiden and Copenhagen. 
Mr. E. J. H. Corner, Assistant Director, returned from leave on March 1st; 
during his leave Mr. Corner spent about three months studying fungus 
specimens in the herbarium at Kew, and working at the Botany School, 
Cambridge. Mr. Flippance, Assistant Curator, Penang, was on duty 
throughout the year. Mr. G. A. Best, Assistant Curator, Singapore, was absent 
on leave until August 31st. Mr. J. Lennon, Assistant Curator, Parks, 
Singapore, was unfortunately obliged to retire on account of ill-health after 
13 years service; he ceased duty on 12th September to take leave prior to 
retirement. Mr. C. X. Furtado, Assistant Botanist, returned to Singapore 
on May 1st after a year’s absence, the greater paid; of which was spent studying 
palms at Berlin and London. This absence on duty was taken instead of 
half-pay leave; a report on Mr. Furtado’s work during this period is given 
under the heading of Herbarium Work. Doraisamy, Carpenter, at Penang, 
retired at the end of the year after 17 years valuable service. The other 
members of the staff were on duty throughout the year. 
LABOUR 
The average number of gardeners and coolies at Singapore was 82; at 
Penang 55. Wages remained unchanged. At Penang, only one case of 
Malaria was reported during the year; this is a great improvement, and is due 
to the programme of anti-malarial work carried out by the Senior Health 
Officer. At Singapore there were seven hospital cases (various diseases) 
among the daily paid workers during the year. 
REVENUE 
The revenue from the sale of plants, etc. 
Singapore — 
Sale of plants and seeds 
Inspection fees, etc. 
Rents 
Penang —- 
Sale of plants and seeds . . . . 354 90 
In addition to the above, the Municipal Commissioners at both Singapore and 
Penang contributed $100 monthly for the services of Gardens officers in 
connection with the planting and maintenance of roadside trees, etc. 
PLANT COLLECTIONS AND FIELD EXCURSIONS 
Mr. Corner continued his study of the swampy forest of Johore. From 
June 9th to 24th he made an expedition to the East Coast to study the coastal 
flora at Jason Bay and the swampy forest on the Sedili Kechil river. The 
locality was particularly suitable for the investigation of the succession of 
was as follows:— 
$ c. 
1,671 54 
270 14 
53 37 
