H.—3o,

1876. NEW ZEALAND.

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN BOARD.

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

Since the last Report, the Board have held meetings on the following dates: —llth October, 1875, sth January, 14th February, 9th March, 22nd March, 30th March, 17th June, and 12th July, 1876. The expenditure under the head of labour during the past year has been larger than usual, in consequence of the addition to the extent of the domain which has lately been placed under the control of the Board. This expenditure covers the erection of seats, cleaning and widening of paths, underbrushing, and the extension of permanent plantations. The bridges and roads in the old portion of the Garden, which have now been in use six years, have also required extra outlay for their repair, and the substitution of 9-inch culverts in place of surface drains, which formerly led to considerable damage during heavy rain, was also found to be necessary. The nursery grounds have been greatly improved by the erection of additional screens and more thorough drainage. The Board also found it advisable, for the more perfect protection of the newly-acquired portion of the Garden, to erect a Ranger's cottage, which, however, is yet unoccupied, owing to the deficiency of funds. The appended Regulations for the Gardens have been printed, and copies suspended at the entrances, for the guidance of the public. The total number of trees planted out since last report is 557, and about 300 plants have been distributed to various public reserves. Over 6,000 conifer trees have been raised from seed, as will be seen by the appended list, and will be available for distribution when sufficiently advanced. Valuable contributions have been received from Mr. Justice Gillies, Mr. Ludlam, the Hon. Mr. Mantell, and other persons ; and shipments of plants to the number of 7,354 have been received from Kew Gardens, which were selected under Dr. Hector's superintendence, for Government. This shipment was of an experimental character, to test the best method of transmitting plants from Europe, and the results will be found in the appended schedule. The expenses incurred by the Board in connection with these large Government consignments have materially trenched on the funds at the disposal of the Board for the management of the domain. James Hectoe, 19th September, 1876. Director.

LIST of PINES raised from Seed.

Cryptomaria japomea Pinus insignis Abies douglassii ... Pinus ponderosa ... Abies orientalis Cedrus deodara Libocedrus decurrens Abies grandis Pinus longifolia ... „ excelsa Abies menziesii Pinus tuberculata ... Wellingtonia gigantea Pinus lambertiana... Picea webbiana Cupressus macrocarpa „ lawsoniaua 12 1,200 1,200 477 50 34 10 27 63 125 64 20 23 10 46 2,330 600 Total 6,291 1—H. 30.