To Thomas Wilson1    22 June 1891

Melbourne

22 June 1891,

The Undersecretary.

 

Sir.

As I shall have attained my 66th year at the end of this month,2 I have the honor to solicit, that the honorable the chief Secretary will allow me, to continue my services as Gov. Botanist also in the coming finance-year.3 I feel fully capable, to carry on the duties of the Department as in former years, and would like to render the long and unique experience, which I possess available also in future, so long as my mental power and physical strength may last. As mentioned on former occasions, I have sunk all the best years of my life and all my worldly means in the obligations of this establishment, formed by myself, or in researches connected with my scientific position, and would much wish to do so also in future.4

I have the honor to be,

Sir, your obedient servant

Ferd. von Mueller,

Gov. botanist.

1
See also M to G. Berry, 27 June 1885.
2
MS annotation on the front of the file: 'Date of Birth — 30/6/25'.
3
See H. Moors to M, 22 July 1891, and M to A. McLean, 28 November 1891.
4
The file contains several notes, one of them in shorthand, possibly by Wilson. One note is the draft of a letter to the Chairman of the Public Service Board, dated 30 November 1891, and identified as 're Mueller & Hayter's [the Government Statist] [retirement deleted] retention': 'Ref[errin]g to a letter add[resse]d by me by the C. S. dir[ection]s on the [space left in MS] to the Secy to Prem Dept recom[men]d[in]g that the services of Baron V. M. & Mr Hayter be further cont[inue]d, I am now directed to inform you that it has been decided [four lines deleted] to abolish the Govt Botanists branch of this Dept on the 31st March next'. A further note states: 'Mr Hayter's retention not yet dealt with by Cabinet. Awaits Premier's return to town 5 January 92.'

Please cite as “FVM-91-06-22,” 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 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/91-06-22