From William Smith¹    1 April 1867

Botanic Garden North²

April 1 1867

Sir

I have the honor to report that the Cows are as troublesome as ever and swim round the ends of the fences projecting into the river. There are three half-grown cows belonging to Mr Webb Hotel Keeper Wellington Parade these animals come through the turnstile at the western end of the river bank fence, at all hours both night and day. I have twice narrowed the turnstile until it has become inconveniently small for the public but without effecting any good as regards the animals which are particularly troublesome.

There has been during the past week a small flock of sheep in Yarra Park and these have been very much in this reserve.

The boatman at the City Bathing Houses has this morning informed me that he intends for the future to keep his goats tied up and that he has obtained permission to remove the dead tree opposite to J. Waters³ house and that he intends to effect this operation within the next week

I have the honor

to be Sir

Your most obdt Servt

W. Smith

Dr Mueller F.R.S.

Director

Botanic Gardens⁴