From Ferdinand von Mueller to James McCulloch   23 May 1870

Melbourne bot. Garden

23/5/70

Sir

I have the honor to report to you, that this day fourty four (44) of the boys of the industrial Schools have worked in the botanic Garden. They were distributed among the 10 gardeners of the place, in small lots from 3 to 6 each. Thus these youths are under constant surveillance and can acquire best some gardening knowledge also. As far as I can foresee, this arrangement, which you kindly called forth, will work satisfactorily, and I will do all in my power to render the boys useful to this establishment, and watch at the same time over their health and morals and see that their stay here may also benefit them for practical duties later in life.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your obedient servant

Ferd. von Mueller, M.D.,

Direct. botan. Garden

The honorable Sir Jam McCulloch, Kn., Chief Secretary.¹