Melbourne, 24th March 1891
Sir
I have the honor to solicit that you will please to grant me permission to retain the services of George French for a further term of three months viz. from 1st April to 30th June, during 4 days a week. His wages are 5/ a day, paid out of my vote for Incidental Expenses and Temporary Assistances. This young man is now well acquainted with the duties required of him and has acquitted himself to my satisfaction, enabling me to employ the permanent officers on more important work.1
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller,
Govt. Botanist
The Honorable the Chief Secretary
The new Chief Secretary, A. McLean, approved M's request on 23 April 1891, with the proviso: 'but ask how much longer services of lad will be required'. M replied on 25 April: 'Returned with best thanks, and will offer respectfully some suggestions after June, what might be the best future arrangements in this respect'. The file was then forwarded to the Commissioners of Audit.
See also M to G. Langridge, 26 November 1890, and M to T. Wilson, 17 April 1891.
MS written by G. Luehmann and signed by M. 24 March 1891 was Langridge's final day as Chief Secretary and M's letter may well not have been received until his successor, John Davies, took over. Davies, however, held the position only until 11 April.
Please cite as “FVM-91-03-24,” 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