[The MAYOR informed the Council that he was in communication with Baron von Mueller on the subject of what trees would be suitable for planting in Geraldton and the proper season for planting the same1. Also, the most suitable time and method for planting Maram grass,2 which so effectually prevents sand drift.3]
At a meeting of the ratepayers held on 13 November 1893 a 'conversational discussion … took place as to the necessity of some effort being made to beautify the town by planting trees, etc. Towards the conclusion of the discussion, Cr. Rowe informed the meeting that he was in regular correspondence with Baron Von Mueller, and would ask that gentleman to advise him as to what class of tree would be the best to plant in Geraldton soil. The meeting thanked Cr. Rowe for his kindness, and decided to leave the matter in his hands ('Meeting of Geraldton Ratepayers', Geraldton advertiser, 15 November 1893. p. 3). No letter from Thomas Rowe to M on this or any other topic has been found, but in M to Royal Geographical Society, 24 October 1892, he was recommended for a Fellowship.
The problem of sand drift had been discussed at the meeting of the Council on 11 December 1893 ('Geraldton town council', Geraldton advertiser, 13 December 1893. p. 3).
M to C. Gray, February 1894 (in this edition as 94-01-00k) is the advice received.
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Geraldton town council', Geraldton advertiser, 10 January 1894. p. 3. Charles Watson Gray (1846-1906)) was the current Mayor (Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians; 'Bubonic Plague', West Australian (Perth), 24 February 1906, p. 11).
Please cite as “FVM-94-01-00j,” 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