Tenure as Director of the Garden (1897-1903)
Mauritian Joseph Th Van Keirsbilck was working for the Gardens and Forestry Department since 1879 when he was appointed Director in 1897 (at the death of William Scott)
Throughout his career, Van Keirsbilck gave a special attention to the rose garden, whose varieties were renewed- The variety “Clotilde Soupert” was widely popular during this period.
Van Keirsbilck had the greenhouse holding varieties of nearly extinct Orchids namely the Agraecum palmiforme, Angraecum aphyllum and Aeranthus macrostachya amongst the most beautiful of the indigenous collection.
In 1895, a Dancing Ball was organised and Viennese Lanterns; scattered around arrangements of flowers and ferns coming around the island, glowed away to give an atmosphere of Thousands and One Nights within the Garden.
A “Fete de Nuit “ hosting 5000 visitors along the illuminated Avenues of the Garden was held for the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The gates of Garden stayed opened till midnight for this celebration.