To R. Nash   27 May 1858

Melbourne, bot Garden,

27. May 1858.

My dear Mr Nash.

I beg to state for your information, that the men engaged at the gates during the two last shows of the hort. Society¹ were the gardeners of this department, which had their usual allowance of wages from the Gov. funds, such I believe having been the case in former years, and I was happy to render on the occasion this assistance with my own staff, as the finances of the Society were in such a poor state. The men however got the spring-show (lasting two days) 2/6d allowed extra by the committee, but not at the last show, because the autumnal exhibition has been causing a financial loss to the society. The gate keepers had also on both occasions some beer & bread &c allowed by the Committee, involving I believe an expense of 2/6 for each individual.

I have no hesitation in giving you all these particulars, but I could not give them officially, as they must emanate from the Committee. I pray therefore you will under no consideration make use of my name in this affair, which, to tell you my candid opinion, should rather drop, than be made a public matter probably to the disadvantage of the society.

Humble yours

Ferd. Mueller