Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 605

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As you know, there are several very beautiful birds native to Hongkong which ought to be preserved for beauty alone, in fact in my humble opinion there are no birds in Hongkong at present which might not be encouraged, except Magpies. Even the Sparrow is very useful when there is an afternoon or evening swarm of winged Termites.

There is a native Lark here which sings nicely soaring much like the English Skylark, but I doubt if you have any large grassy plain on Hongkong Island. No doubt it occurs in Kowloon, or could be established there.

The chief donors of animals were :--

Mr. ALVES and Mr. CHAN FOON NG.

The chief donors of plants and seeds were:-

,

ANDERSON, Mr. Q. M.; Arnold Arboretum, Boston, U.S.A.; BALD, Messrs. C., Lebong Tea Co., Tukvar Division, Dajeeling; BARTON, Mr. J.; Botanical De- partment, Trinidad; BOWLE-EVANS, Dr. G., N.W. Province, India; BREWIN, Hon. Mr. A. W.; Mrs. BREWIN; BROWN, THOS. W., La Société D'Hort. Commercial, Cairo; Bureau of Agriculture, Manila; Mr. CHAO LESP CHEE; Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Hawaii; DEALY, Mr. T. K.; Deputy Conservator of Forests, Jaunsar Division, India ; DOMBROWSKI, Rev. MARCUS A.; ELIOT, Mr. R. H., Norwood, Ceylon; GAMMIE, Mr. G. A.; HANBURY, Sir T., Ventimiglia, Italy; Captain HODGINS; Mrs. HODGINS; HOUGHS, Mr. DAVID, Hawaii; HOWELL, Mr. F.; Imperial Department of Agriculture, W.I.; JACK, Mr. W. C.; Lroxs, Mr. WM. S., Manila; Mrs. RowE; Royal Botanic Gardens of Calcutta, Ceylon, Durban, Kew, Singapore, Sydney; SHEWAN, Mr. R.; SIEMSSEN, Mr. G., Foochow; STEPHENS, Mr. M. J. D.; Mrs. STEPHENS; TAYLOR, Captain BASIL; VORETZSCH. Dr. E. A.; WALLACE, Mr. W. H., Amoy; WATSON, Mr. A. W. A.. S.S.; and WILLIS,

Mr. J. U.

Mountain Large Grounds.-Some planting and the annual repairs were carried out during the year.

Protestant Cemet ry.—The gardening in the Cemetery has been particularly successful during the year. The deer-fence referred to in ny last report has proved at any rate par- tially successful in keeping wild deer away from the flower beds and the recent addition of a Chinese deer-hound to the Cemetery gardening staff will probably put an end to their in- roads altogether.

Blake Garden -The Garden is more and more appreciated by the Chinese but some damage has been done by youngsters running about among the shrubs. The stone walks and steps have all been consolidated with cement.

Peak Garden.—This has been open now for 18 months and is beginning to be frequent- ed by children and nurses. The shade trees are making slow progress.

Sokunpo Nursery.—A barbed wire fence has been erected round part of this nursery for the double purpose of keeping out the wild deer and preventing the petty but too fre- quent theft of vegetables that have occurred there.

Albany Nursery. This new nursery has been protected by a neat iron fence down the side bordered by Garden Road. It is gradually being planted with shrubs and flowering plants.

West End Park.This year. Trouble has again been rubbish along the roadsides. the Police for some time past. in Table II.

so-called park has been kept in a creditable condition during the experienced in preventing contractors from shooting building Similarly the Glenealy rockeries have given much trouble to Other land under the charge of the department is detailed