15th. October, [189]01
My dear Baron,
I forward herewith an application2 from Mr. Frederick William Leech for the position of second in command to the proposed expedition to be despatched to explore the unknown portions of Australia, by Sir Thomas Elder, G.C.M.G.
Mr. Leech has been employed in the Lands Branch of this Department as assistant clerk since the 20th February, 1890, and in this capacity has given satisfaction
His testimonials state that he is a good bushman and possesses the necessary exper[ience] qualifying him for the post he wishes to obta[in] of this, however, I know nothing, merely forwarding the application at his request.3
Believe me to remain
Faithfully yours
G. W. Goyder
Baron Von Mueller,
Melbourne.
editorial addition.
Application not found.
Leech was appointed as second in command to David Lindsay but was one the scientific staff who resigned during the expedition in protest at Lindsay's leadership; see Lindsay (1893), p. 152, D. Lindsay to M. 27 April 1892, and 'Interview with Mr. Helms', Sydney morning herald, 27 May 1892, p. 6.
Please cite as “FVM-90-10-15,” 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