BOTANIC GARDEN BOARD, 1889-90. (TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1890 Session I, H-34

H.—34.

1890. NEW ZEALAND.

BOTANIC GARDEN BOARD, 1889-90. (TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Meetings of the Board were held on the sth August, and 4th October, 1889; and on 7tli February, and 17th July, 1890. From the statement of accounts it will be seen that the total expenditure for the year is .£195 10s. (id., and with the exception of a small sum for contingencies, tlie whole of this amount has been expended on the cleaning of the roads and paths, repairing the fences, underbrushing, and cleaving round the trees. The revenue of the Board is entirely derived from the statutory share of the rents of the Town Belt, tlie amount received for the twelve months ending the 31s! March, 1890, being £164 16s. lOd. From the Treasurer's balance-sheet it will be seen that there is a sum in hand at this date of £57 13s. 7d. Early in the year the Board had, with much regret, to accepl the resignation of the keeper, Mr. William Bramley, on account of ill-health. Mr. Bramley has had the practical management of the gardens since their establishment in 1868, and il has been through his untiring and faithful services and economical management that the Board lias been able to effect such extensive improvements of a public property with the very limited means at its disposal. Applications were invited for the vacant office of keeper, and Mr. (i. Gibb was selected and entered on his duties on the Ist November last. Since his appointment the principal paths through the domain have been put in thorough repair, and a great deal of other work done which has much improved the general appearance of the gardens. It has also been found necessary to begin thinning out some of the earliest planted and least valuable of the trees, as they were causing damage by over-crowding. The special garden for native and valuable introduced plants, originally intended to afford facilities for instruction in botany in connection with the College, is now completed and in thorough order, and can be made; available as soon as classes are organised. Donations of plants and seeds have been received during the past year from Messrs. Duthie, Harding, Kirk, and Mason. Approved by the Board. I imes Hectoe, Manager. Bobert Pharazyn, Chairman. 17th July, 1890.

Accounts. —Botanic Gardens, 1889 90. Receipts. £ s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance in hand, sth August, 1889.. .. 88 7 3 j Garden work, including keeper's salary, Statutory share of rents from Wellington Town nursery work, roads, &c, .. .. 173 18 0 Tielt for twelve months, ending 31st March, Timber for repair of fences, houses, also 1890 .. .. .. .. .. 164 10 10 j carpenter's and ironwork, tools, &c. .. 21 12 (i j Balance in hand .. .. .. 57 13 7 £253 4 1 ; £253 4 1 \\ ii. Tiros. Locke Travers, 23rd July, 1890. Honorary Treasurer.

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