31st May [188]71
My dear Baron,
Will you have the goodness to examine the accompanying sample of timber, locally called "Eurath" from Sandy Creek,2 and inform me as to its proper name & suitability for railway purposes.
I am, my dear Baron
Yours faithfully,
Robt Watson
Eng in Chief
The Baron von Mueller K.C.M.G. &c &c &c3
Govt Botanist
editorial addition.
Vic.
What was almost certainly M's response to Watson's request was registered as a report from him dated the same day, 'Report timber submitted G. Baker & Co W [i.e. Wodonga, Vic] to Tallangatta Line' (87/2983, unit 7, VPRS 427, index to inward registered correspondence, Engineer in Chief, VA 2876, Victorian Railways, Public Record Office, Victoria). Construction of a railway line from Wodonga to Tallangatta, Vic, was getting under way at this time; the first section, to Huon, opened in 1889 and the extension to Tallangatta in 1891. Sandy Creek was approximately midway between Wodonga and Tallangatta; much of its length is now submerged behind the Hume Dam.
Please cite as “FVM-87-05-31a,” 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