80 
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS 
the old ranger’s cottage, in the shade of the great oaks which may well have 
been amongst the earliest trees planted by the Dutch East India Company. 
His daughter married Mr Hendrik Cloete, who succeeded him in the 
ownership of the fine estate. It was from the Cloete family that the site of 
the National Botanic Gardens of the Union of South Africa was purchased by 
Cecil John Rhodes. As part of the great estate of Groote Schuur it passed, 
on his death, to the people of South Africa. 
Lord de Villiers. The death of Lord de Villiers is a grievous loss to 
South Africa. Of the many public activities of the late Acting Governor- 
General and Chief Justice of the Union, whose devotion to the welfare of 
South Africa was a national asset of the highest worth, this is not the place 
to speak. To the National Botanic Gardens he was a tower of strength, 
whose removal at this early period of their history cannot be too deeply 
deplored. 
Lord de Villiers, who has done so much for the conservation of the flora 
and of objects of historic interest in the Union, took a leading part in the 
establishment of the National Botanic Gardens in 1913. He was one of the 
three Trustees appointed by the Government and became in due course the 
first Chairman of the Board of Trustees. From the first until a few days 
before his death he continually gave proof of his deep interest in their welfare 
and development. He visited Kirstenbosch with great frequency and main- 
tained an intimate knowledge of the work in progress and in contemplation. 
He was always ready to exercise his wide influence in the affairs of the 
Gardens, and those immediately responsible for their administration never 
sought his sage advice in vain. The National Botanic Gardens will for all time 
be associated with the name of the first Baron de Villiers, to whose memory 
thejr will constitute a monument such as he himself would have approved. 
