Bot. Garden 4/7/68.
Allow me to report, dear Mr Fitzgibbon, that the two men sent by the Corporation to prepare for the Willow-planting on the Yarra have proceeded rather better than half the way up to Richmond,1 while I caused the cuttings aequo passu2 to be prepared In seeing the very excellent river-fence erected, I am reminded that a portion of the Wattles, which on some spots have risen on the Yarra bank (now between the two fences) will have to be cleared away, altho' I am very sorry for it, in as much as these Wattles greatly protect my garden against the cutting winds from the westward. Perhaps the Planting Committee would kindly order only so many of these Wattle trees to be cut at present between the fences as must really be removed to admit of ready passage of conveyances. I avail myself of this opportunity to thank the city Council for all the friendly concessions made and for the handsome manner, in which the Council has adopted my propositions of improvements in regard to new plantations.
It will be a sincere pleasure to me to aid in any way in my power any of the future operations of the Council in this direction.
With best respects
Ferd. von Mueller.3
E. FitzGibbon to M, 27 June 1868 included approval for the employment of the labourers to be extended for this purpose.
at the same time.
M's letter was read at a meeting of the Melbourne City Council Public Works Committee on 15 July 1868, when it was resolved: 'Instructions given to the City Surveyor that a narrow Roadway only be cleared' (Unit 6, p. 513, VPRS 4037, Public Record Office, Victoria).
Please cite as “FVM-68-07-04b,” 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