From Frederick Powlett   10 December 1858

Crown Lands Office

Melbourne

Occupation Branch

10th Decr 1858

Sir

I have the honor to forward the accompanying letter from Mr Harris1 and to inform you that I have told Mr Harris that I think the best course to pursue in the matter will be to summon Mr Ranger Martin2 before the Police Court.

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your most obd Servt

F. A. Powlett

 

Dr Mueller

Botanical Gardens3

1
On 10 December 1858, G. Harris wrote to Powlett: 'I have to complain of the conduct of Ranger Martin. For several successive nights I have had a quantity of wood pilfered from the stacks. Last night one of the men cutting for me on returning from his supper to keep watch discovered that during his absence a quantity of wood had been taken off one of his stacks he observed the track of a wheelbarrow which he followed and found the barrow loaded with his wood in Martins yard a panel of the fence being taken and left down to give him egress. As it is not pleasant after working hard all day to be compelled to watch all night, or else submit to be robbed of one's earnings especially by one in Martin's position I intend (unless I receive on Saturday by Mr Allen contrary instructions from you) to prosecute him'.
2
Peter Martyn?
3
See also M to F. Powlett, 10 December 1858.

Please cite as “FVM-58-12-10,” 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 19 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/58-12-10