Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 150

147

No. 11

93

HONGKONG.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION

DEPARTMENT FOR 1892.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, on the 5th April, 1893.

No. 7.

BOTANIC GARDENS, HONGKONG, 28th March, 1893.

SIR, I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the Botanical and Afforestation Department for 1892.

STAFF.

2. There have been no changes, except the usual number amongst the labourers, during the year, and all have been at their posts continuously, no vacation or other leave having been taken. Mr. W. J. TUTCHER arrived from England just before the end of 1891, and took up his position as Assistant. I have much pleasure in recording my great satisfaction with the assiduous, patient, and able manner in which he has applied himself to and discharged his duties in the Gardens, and also, when required for special work, for about a fortnight, in supervising the counting of trees and tree-pits for Forestry work. The Chinese office and outdoor staffs have also given diligent and faithful service in the various capacities in which they have been employed.

3. The accommodation and facilities, which the new Offices provide, have enabled much more and efficient work to be performed than could be done in the old, cramped, and entirely unsuitable build- ing, which formerly had to be put up with. These indoor improvements have influenced the staff and outdoor work generally and are a great help in securing the accomplishment of superior work.

4. The usefulness of the department as a centre for the distribution of information and advice is constantly availed of by local correspondents, and others in China and all parts of the world. It is sometimes a tax to attend to the correspondence, but at all times when it is possible inquiries are cheerfully replied to, even when we gain nothing in exchange, as it would be discourteous to leave such communications unattended to.

BOTANIC GARDENS.

Improvements.

5. Alterations in the nursery consequent on the construction of the new and removal of the old buildings have been continued and are now nearly complete.

6. In my last report I mentioned that I proposed making the approach to the nursery through a plant-house abutting just opposite to the Albany on Albany Road. This house has been erected and furnished with plants, and it appears to have met with great approval, on all sides, from the Public. It was put up with material partly taken from the old building which was demolished, the ornamental front was thus put up for the very modest sum of $200. A temporary roof has been constructed until a suitable opportunity and sufficient means can be found for putting on a permanent and more ornamental one.

7. Work and store-sheds, and a carpenter's shop have also been constructed from the material of the old building, thus supplying a want which has greatly handicapped work for years past.

8. In Glenealy Ravine, just above the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the site where two water-tanks formerly stood has been filled up and a rockery for ornamental plants made on it.

9. Another small rockery a little lower down has also been made.

10. On the south side of the new road leading from the Gardens to the Roman Catholic Cathedral the formerly untidy corner has been levelled and planted.

This new road while no doubt providing to some people easier access to the Cathedral has not improved the Gardens, especially as it has brought to the neighbourhood boys who cannot be always kept out of mischief.

11. In the old Garden the ground which had become bare under the large "banian" has had a thick covering of good soil placed on it, supported by rough stones at the circumference and the whole space has been planted with Camellias.

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