Geographical Society of
AUSTRALASIA.
INSTITUTED 1883
NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH.
Sydney 11 May 1888
I duly received, my dear Baron, your valued and interesting letter and have to thank you for explaining the principle which your Geographic Council had in view in phrasing its resolution.1
One difficulty I have is not being able to get about as much as I should like: as that would enable me to explain a good many details personally to you; also to ask your experienced advice in advance on a good many points.
Next week I expect to have to pay a visit to some friends on the Clarence river,2 and after that I am uncertain as yet whether I may not have to make a short journey to England.
In the meanwhile any letters, papers etc will be duly forwarded me.
In my last expedition the only man amongst my employés who ranked above a common seaman or mechanic was Mr Hemmy who was paid by the Queensland Government £1 per day & expenses from the time he left Brisbane.3 All the other few employés whether black or white were paid extra wages by me.
Your suggestion about the various Branches of the Geographical Society joining in a united recommendation is a very valuable one if they could be got to do so.
Unfortunately I have noticed in Brisbane a sentiment not of friendship towards the Sydney Society and with the South Australian Branch I am quite unacquainted.
Sincerely yours
Theodore Bevan
Please cite as “FVM-88-05-11,” 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