Document information

Physical location:

S61/999, unit 749, VPRS 1189/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 61.02.04

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to John Moore, 1861-02-04. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/61-02-04>, accessed September 11, 2025

1
MS written by Carl Wilhelmi and signed by M. See also M to J. Moore, 25 January 1861.
Melbourne botanic & zoological Garden
4 February 1861.
Sir
I have the honor to inform you, that the papers transmitted to me in reference to fixing an appropriate scale of rations for the Camels at the Royal Park, were laid before the Committee of the zoological Garden at the monthly meeting on the 1 February, when I was instructed to submit to you such a schedule as the available information might suggest.
After due enquiry at Cremorne
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Cremorne Gardens, Richmond, Vic.
and at the Royal Park it appears, that
4lb of Grain
2lb of Bran
3 ounces of Salt and
16lb of hay, or what would be preferable a proportionate quantity of green feed in lieu of the latter, would form under ordinary circumstances a suitable daily ration for each camel, which supply however would require occasional modification according to the state of the health & condition of the animals in various seasons, crushed wheat being for instance at times desirable in lieu of grain.
In reference to the rations for the attendent it would perhaps simplify arrangements in allowing him a small remuneration (from 1/6 to 2/6 per diem) instead of rations, if the man should be quite abstemious or be under such control as to render his obtaining spirits unlikely
I have the honor to be
Sir
your most obedient servant
Ferd. Mueller.
Mr Undersecretary Moore.
&c&c&c.
3
On 7 February 1861, Moore annotated the file: 'The Exploration Committee having declined the further charge of these Camels they must now be considered as belonging to the Govt Zoological Collection and Dr Mueller will be so good as to provide for their future care and maintenance accordingly'.
See also M to R. Heales, 19 February 1861, and M to J. Moore, 12 April 1861 (in this edition as 61-04-12a).