Melbourne bot. Garden,
7/9/68.
Allow me to mention, dear Mr Fitzgibbon, that I have deemed it my duty to point out repeatedly to Mr Fuller, the boatbuilder living on municipal ground on the Yarra bank, that his shade on the south bank at the bridge1 is very unsightly, more particularly the side facing the bridge, and that it requires early a coat of paint. I further sent him on more than one occasion a message that it would add much to the neatness of the place, if he fenced the rear of the shade more particularly since the City Council had expended so much money in forming the steps down the approach, and since so many plantations had been made there. The same request was made to Mr Edwards, who at once with a readiness deserving all praise, complied with the request, but Mr Fuller has hitherto left the suggestion quite unregarded. Pray do not think that I wish to invade your territory, but taking an interest in the general improvements of the river banks I merely made the suggestion direct to the boat-builders, to trouble you not with such trifles. Perhaps on passing the bridge you would kindly judge, whether you concur with the request and whether it should be made authoritively.2
your regardful
Ferd. von Mueller
Please cite as “FVM-68-09-07,” 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