Melbourne bot. Garden,
27. April 1858.
Sir
In reply to a letter from Mr Smith of South Melbourne, submitted to my perusal, I have the honor to inform you, that Constable Martin enjoyed the concession of keeping a kow in the bot. Garden paddock and that this privilege was granted to him previous to my administration by the honorable the Chief Commissioner of public works. I hardly deemed myself justified to interfere with the proceeds of his kow, particularly since he employes a servant for disposing of the milk.
In former days he was accustomed to carry milk about, but immediately after this came to my notice, I demanded from him, not to employ his time for such a purpose.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your most obedient and humble servant
Ferd. Mueller.
The hon. the Chief Secretary &c &c &c2
On 29 April O'Shanassy commented on this letter: 'If this privilege be entirely for pecuniary advantage to the Constable he ought not to be allowed so to do; but if it be the case that he uses the milk for his family in the first instance and sells the remainder the privilege may be continued to him.' The comment was referred to M on 30 April.
See also M to J. O'Shanassy, 1 May 1858.
Please cite as “FVM-58-04-27b,” 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 24 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/58-04-27b