Melbourne bot. Garden
13/10/71
Do not trouble to think any more about the photograms, dear Mr Montefiore, so far as I am concerned; for your own reminiscences I regret however the loss of the plates, which you with so much skill and sacrifice of time prepared.1
I dare say my forest lecture2 will have also some effect in N.S. Wales.
My troubles here are not yet come to a cessation. This week and last one the men in my employ were examined before the Board.3 The report of the Commission, now particularly after Mr Hammills4 death, is certain to be unfavorable, as it will largely embody the views of my enemy Josiah Mitchell, who is the real soal5 of the Board. What support I shall get afterwards from Government, future must show. All my professional standing cannot mitigate the injury done to me and my Department already.
I am sure you are sadly missed by your Colleagues of the Industrial Museum.
With best regards to you & your kind family.
Baron Von Mueller.
The plates were apparently later found; see M to E. Montefiore, 17 March 1872.
B71.13.03.
Botanic Garden Inquiry Board, 1870-1.
William Hammill was the original chairman of the Board of Inquiry. After his death he was not replaced on the Board; the chairmanship was taken over by William Greig.
soul?
Please cite as “FVM-71-10-13,” 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