Melbourne,
5 Aug. 1889.
To the honorable the Chief Secretary
Sir.
In continuation of former correspondence1 I have the honor to adress you again on the subject of improving the position of Officers in the Gov. Botanists Department, as it seems, that a simultaneous advance of three of the Assistants could not well be carried out. I would therefore now merely solicit, that the salary of Mr Ch. French sen,2 first Herbarium-Assistant be raised from the maximum of £252 to £300, therefore at an annual increment of £10.-.- instead of £6.-.-. As this is but a modest request, as further I took this Officer already into the Departments service in 1865, and as moreover he proved ever since a highly efficient employee, I trust his case will meet with your generous consideration; and I feel sure, that then also the public Service Commissioners will accord their support thereto.3
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller,
Gov. Botanist.
See M to A. Deakin, 30 March 1889, and M to H. Moors, 8 May 1889.
Charles French Snr.
The Under Secretary, T. Wilson, referred M's request to the Public Service Board for their consideration on 12 August 1889, adding: 'I beg to recommend that the Salary of Charles French, Senior, First Herbarium Assistant be increased from £252 to £300'. On 15 August the file was marked: 'Hold over for consideration'. The next day the Secretary of the Public Service Board, H. Gomm, ordered: 'Will the Under Secretary be so good as to obtain a report showing in what way Mr French's duties have altered since they were valued by the Board'. H. Moors, for Wilson, referred the matter to M on 19 August 'for report'. For M’s reply, see M to T. Wilson, 22 August 1889.
Please cite as “FVM-89-08-05,” 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