From Ferdinand von Mueller to Charles Gavan Duffy   30 Aug 1871

Melbourne bot. Garden,

30 Aug. 1871.

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 25. August¹ I have the honor to state, that I am most anxious to continue the service of a collector of plants for the botanic Garden after the demise of Mr. Dallachy, as such service is of the utmost importance to a botanic Garden in the real sense of the word.

But I beg to draw attention to the circumstance that Gardener W. Smith continues still employed in the botanic Garden, although in the reduction of the wages vote for this financial year he was not provided for, as stated in my letter when the reduced estimates were submitted.²

If therefore this employees service could be transferred (perhaps to the forests or to other crown-land parks) then the needful fund for the desired collector would become available, whereas otherwise provision would require to be made specially on the estimates.

The sum granted to the collector was £3. -. - for the week, which remuneration had to cover also his travelling expenses, and I do not think that an efficient collector could be secured at an annual pay of less than £150. -. -.

Should you be pleased to renew the Office of collector, I would recommend that he be sent to West Australia, where he will have at present the best field for his exertions as well to promote the horticultural interests of the establishment here, as also to augment our Museum material of plants for interchanges and literary work.

In conclusion I beg to observe, that it will require a good Bushman and Horseman, who has likewise been trained to collecting and who is extensively acquainted with Australian plants, to do justice to the collectors Office, and I may be allowed to add, that among the best competent persons for such a purpose Mr Edw. Bowman of Gainsford, Queensland, stands foremost.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your obedient servant

Ferd. von Mueller, M.D.

Director of the bot. Garden

The honorable Ch. Gav. Duffy, M.L.A.,

Chief Secretary