To Charles La Trobe   1 November 1853

Botanic Gardens, Melbourne,

1. November 1853.

Sir

The Superintendent of the botanic Gardens1 expressed his desire to visit New Zeeland during the month of January and February next, in order to obtain for the Melbourne bot. Gardens seedlings of Phyllocladus, Podocarpus, Dacrydium, Gingko & other remarkable plants from that island.

Concurring fully in his opinion, that such additions would prove to be valuable to our establishment, I humbly beg to solicit your Excellencys sanction of this journey.

I have the honor to be,

your Excellency's

most obedient and humblest servant

Ferd. Mueller.

 

His Excellency Governor La Trobe.2

 
 

Dacrydium

Gingko

Phyllocladus

Podocarpus

John Dallachy.

La Trobe asked the Auditor General, H. Childers, 'Is there any provision for such voyage &c'. Childers replied on 14 November 1853: 'Dr Müller does not state what expense will be incurred. If inconsiderable [...] covered by the vote for travelling expences of the Govt Botanist.' It was noted (by unknown) that M was not currently in Melbourne. La Trobe commented on 14 November: 'I really think this at the present state is undesirable could not seeds be written for & transmitted'. It was suggested (by unknown): 'Query could not Mr Dallachy furnish the probably cost?' La Trobe decided on 22 November: 'must stay over for this season'.

See also L. Gilles to M, 24 November 1853.

Please cite as “FVM-53-11-01,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells accessed on 29 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/53-11-01