William Smith was engaged at the Botanic Gardens in 1857 immediately after Dr Muellers appointment as director transferred to take charge of carry out the formation of the Zoological Gardens remained in charge until Jany 1862 then superintended the removal of the Zoological Collections to the Royal Park and the formation of the Gardens there returned to the Zoological Gardens in Feby 1863 remained there until they were given up to the Friendly Societies since then employed as a professional gardener at the Bot. Gardens. Was paid during 1862 by the Acclimatisation Society but out of the Govt grant of £3000 which they received with the animals &c. It was fully understood that my acceptance of the situation did not prejudice my position at the Bot Gardens and my return to my former position is a proof. Was only actually absent from the dwelling house at the Zoological Gardens 5 months. Has been dismissed by Dr Mueller as one of the junior men at the Botanic Gardens for the reason that my period of service only dates from Feby 1863. Respectfully submits that he is entitled to claim all his time from 1857 as being employed under the Govt and appeals to the Chief Secretary for his decision on the matter and requests that justice may be done by the immediate reinstatement of the memorialist.
May 9. 1870.
2William Smith 13 years on the permanent staff of the Botanic Gardens as professional Gardener. Superintendent of Zoological Collections and Bailiff in charge of the Northern Reserve now the Friendly Societies Gardens. Has been frequently recommended to Sir James McCulloch Mr Grant and Mr McKean for a more lucrative situation. Has first class testimonials from the Director of the Botanic Gardens but has been selected by that Officer as one of those to be dispensed with at a weeks notice in face of the fact that many of those to be retained are junior to himself in point of service. Respectfully requests that he may at least be temporarily retained until other employment in the public service so frequently promised him has been obtained.
| Men retained at Bot Garden | Length of service in years |
Men discharged at the Bot. Garden | Length of Service in years |
| No 1 | 17 | ||
| 2 | 14 | ||
| 3 | 13 | ||
| 4 | 13 | ||
| 5 | 13 | ||
| 6 | 13 | ||
| 7 | 13 | ||
| 8 | 10 | No 1 | 13 |
| 9 | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| 10 | 10 | 3 | 12 |
| 11 | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| 12 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 13 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| 14 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
| 15 | 4 | 8 | 1½ |
| 16 | 1½ | 9 | ¼ |
Compare Nos 8 to 14 of the retained list with Nos 1 to 7 of the discharged list3
M was required to reduce staff and, while declaring Smith to be the person whose services were of the least importance to the Botanic Garden, urged that he be found employment elsewhere (M to J. McCulloch, 23 April 1870 (in this edition as 70-04-23c)). In the complete list of staff retained or discharged that M reported to the Chief Secretary on 7 May 1870, Smith was one of those shown as having been discharged; see M to J. McCulloch, 7 May 1870 (in this edition as 70-05-07b). However, McCulloch ruled that Smith should continue to be employed at the Gardens; see W. Odgers to M, 26 May 1870 (in this edition as 70-05-26a).
See also M to W. Odgers, 11 May 1870 (in this edition as 70-05-11a) and D. Coller to M, 11 May 1870.
The remaining text, including the table, is undated but appears also to have been written on 9 May or thereabouts. Smith sent a memorandum and letter containing similar information to this to the Chief Secretary again on 10 May (V70/5082, unit 576, VPRS 3991, Public Record Office, Victoria).
MS annotation by M: 'Have failed to connect these blank numbers with my list F.v.M. 27/5/70'.
Please cite as “FVM-M70-05-09,” 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