To William Haines   30 May 1855

Melbourne, 70 Collin Street East,

30. May. 1855.

Sir

I do myself the honor to inform you, that I have been advised by the honorable the Auditor General, to solicit your instructions, how the expenditure for my department, sanctioned by his Excellency the Governor, has to be appropiated during the current year.

I beg leave to submit to you a copy of the original estimates as well as a new schedulae,¹ in which I humbly beg to propose such reductions as I deemed least impeding the progress of my labours.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient and humblest servant

Ferd. Mueller,

Gov. Botanist.

The honorable the Colonial Secretary.²

Original Estimates of the expenditure for the Department of the Gov. Botanist for the year 1855.

Governm. Botanists salary	£600
Salary for one clerk, 12/. p.d.	219
In lieu of forage for two horses during 6 travelling months.	150
In lieu of forage for one horse during the whole year.	150
Saddlery	50
Ferriery &c	10
Paper for the Gov. bot. collections	15
Office furniture and shelves	50
Travelling expenses	200
	1444