JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer of his latest negotiations for securing his own pension. He has met with the Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty, Evan Mc Gregor, & with Lord George Hamilton's secretary. Their conversation will be passed on to Welby. Lord Salisbury [Robert Gascoyne-Cecil] has informed Lubbock that he will look into the matter of JDH's civil fund pension. JDH is of the opinion that he should get his Naval Pension, but not half pay, as well as the civil pension. JDH also notes that [Johann Franz] von Haast has written to him [possibly regarding an exhibit].

JDH thanks Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] for the copy of the Treasury letter & recounts previous correspondence sent to the Treasury [regarding his pension?]. JDH does not understand their attitude to him, but says it is now done with & should be forgotten. JDH was upset to hear about the havoc caused in the Gardens. He cites two further incidents in 1853-4 & 1865-6 or 1866-7. The former caused damage to a few old trees, but the latter, caused by snow, lead to many trees being killed or destroyed, such as Oaks, Bay & Laurel trees. Tells WTTD that there will be an allusion to it in the Kew Annual Report. Says that WTTD will be pleased to hear that Reggie [Reginald Hawthorn Hooker] has passed first class in all three divisions of his Littlego exams. JDH would like him to come to come up to Kew with him for the day but Reggie says he is too busy. Canon Girdlestone has 'taken Reggie in hand' for two days a week [at Sunningdale school].