To Samuel Evis   14 June 1890

Melbourne 14/6/90.¹

This day, dear Mr Evis, I had a call from Capt. Hatton-Richards, the Private Secr. of his Excellency Sir Will. Macgregor, Governor of British New Guinea, and the Capt. asks me, whether he had been elected F.R.G.S, as up to date no communication to that effect has reached him. He was duely proposed by me many months ago, and 2 members of the geogr. Council here seconded the election-proposal.² During the time, when so many extra-engagements devolved on me as President of the Melbourne meeting of the Austral. Association,³ I may have overlooked Capt. Hatton-Richards name in the latest publications of the RGS. Perhaps my sending of the Candidature paper never reached Burlington-House. In that case perhaps you would see to this Candidate being seconded on my nominating him which you might do there for me on the authority of this letter. Perhaps also the intimation of the Captain's election may have been miscarried, because the mail-communication with New Guinea is not yet established satisfactorely.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller.

While with Sir Will. Macgregor up the Fly-River,⁴ Capt. H.R. caught the paludal fever; to recruit his health he is now here; but he proceeds to W.A. for 2 months, and then will return to NG. Letters for him could be sent to my adress.