To Edward Ramsay   14 February 1887

Private

14/2/87

Nothing has been further from my intention, dear Dr Ramsay, then that your own private resources should be taxed for the furtherance also of botanic science during Mr Bevan's Expedition.¹

My own position in this affair is perhaps not quite clear to you; it is this.

Our finance-year commences 1 July; the estimates are framed about May. Therefore even if the votes of the estimates are anticipated, it could be only in the new finance-year, that funds became available, and I am without any private means to make advances beyond the current incidental expenses of the Department.

When the estimates are framed the heads of the public service here are always requested, to keep — if possible — within the votes of the last year; hence I should not be able, to make out a strong cause, why an extra-sum should be placed on the estimates for bot collections from New Guinea purposely the Vict. Gov. spending already £5000 annually for the protectorate.

I certainly have a small annual vote hitherto regularly for purchase of plants and for an occasional collector. This is by Bäuerlens travel for some months on the S. borders of N.SW., and by some aid to ascend the Bellenden Ker Mt,² given to Sayers, quite exhausted for 1886; indeed I made a private monetary advance to the latter.

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