Melbourne bot. Garden,
6/12/71.
Sir
I have the honor to draw your considerate attention to the circumstance, that at the time, when for the financial year 1871-1872 a further reduction of the wages vote of the Botanic Garden was made to the amount of £200, it was recommended to discontinue the services of W. Smith, in order that thus a saving might be effected, the services of this man being of less necessity than those of any other of the employees of the bot. Garden. This was set forth in my letter of the 8 Jul. 1871.
In the anticipation, that forest duties would arise, for which the man W. Smith might be reengaged, he has continued in the employ of the bot. Garden, but if he was continued in the service here till the end of the financial year, a deficit would occur, as regards the liabilities occurred and the wages-fund available, even if the urgently necessary position of a trained botanic collector, vacant by the death of Mr. Dallachy, continued to be not filled up.
I beg now to await further instructions in this matter.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller, M.D.,
Gov. Botanist and
Director of the botan. Garden.
The Hon. Ch. G. Duffy &c &c
Chief Secretary1
For reply, see W. Odgers to M, 13 December 1871.
Please cite as “FVM-71-12-06,” 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