From Daniel McAlpine   18 July 1890

5 Wallace St

Toorak,¹ 18th July /90.

My dear Baron,

I had no opportunity, when seeing you last, of speaking upon a very important matter in connection with Vegetable Pathology, so now write you on the subject.

The Hon. Mr Deakin, Acting Minister of Agriculture, sent for me last Thursday & had a long interview regarding my department. He recognised, first of all, that instead of being a temporary appointment, as it is under the Bonus system, it ought to be a permanent one. You understand that I am appointed Consulting Vegetable Pathologist under that heading of the Bonus Regulations where it is stated that "The Governor in Council may from time to time engage persons temporarily & during his pleasure", & at present I am only supposed to devote my spare time to the subject, but Mr Deakin considers it, quite as entitled to an independent position, & even more so, than the office of Government Entomologist.

The next question that came up for consideration was, as to what department the Vegetable Pathologist ought to be connected with. I considered that it properly belonged to the Government Botanists Dept & it is on that matter that I now specially write you. Mr Deakin here spoke of your invaluable services to the Colony & hoped that you would long be spared to serve the Government further. I may explain that the Hon. Mr Deakin is personally very favourable to me, & can hardly believe that it is six years since I delivered my letter of Introduction to him, & that the Colony had only begun to utilise my services, at least in a Government capacity. Also I would like to point out that I have already applied for a Laboratory & Museum, as well as a Library in connection with Vegetable Pathology, & their desirability & utility has been conceded. The buildings for these purposes to be located where the Old Training College (Mr Topp's) now stands.²

Bearing this in mind, it was suggested by Mr Deakin (in a very friendly & private way) that if you were to apply for an Assistant to attend to Vegetable Pathology, it would simplify matters considerably & he (Mr Deakin) could then proceed with the permanent appointment. You understand that he could not originate a matter like that without coming from yourself. I also mentioned the subject of Seed Control to him as being possibly assigned to the same officer.

Now, if you are of opinion that the subject of Vegetable Pathology ought properly to belong to your Department — just as Dr Cooke acts under the Director of Kew Gardens — & if you think, as I do, that a Museum of Vegetable Pathology & Economic Botany could go well together & not be scattered, say one building at the Botanic Gardens & so on, then I shall be happy to see you at any time which suits your convenience, to confer upon the matter. Many points could then be discussed which cannot be fully done justice to in a letter.

I feel that your support has obtained for me the position which I now hold as Consulting Vegetable Pathologist, & I am sure you will do what lies in your power to make the office of Vegetable Pathologist a permanent one, as its importance demands.³

I remain

my Dear Baron

Yours faithfully

D. McAlpine