The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 10/3/66 ¶ Dr Meuller MD. ¶ Dear Sir will you excuse me for taking the liberty of trespassing on your valuable time but I think it my duty to inform you of certain rumours in cerculation concerning Mr....

Document information

Physical location:

W70/5147, unit 576, VPRS 3991/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Office, Public Record Office, Victoria. 66.03.10

Preferred Citation:

David Coller to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1866-03-10. 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/66-03-10>, accessed September 11, 2025

10/3/66

Dr Meuller MD.

Dear Sir will you excuse me for taking the liberty of trespassing on your valuable time but I think it my duty to inform you of certain rumours in cerculation concerning Mr. William Smith and a certain female in consequence of their being Surprised in an act which I can bring proofs to the fact in the Tea tree Scrub enough to Shock any person having even the Slightest claims to morality as a married man.

It is not through any ill feelling that I inform you of this but I think it is but right for you to know that it is in every ones mouthe not only in the immediate vicinity but even in so remote a locality as Toorak I cannot go out side the door but people ask me if that is true about Smith and the gerl in the Gardens. I say of course that I know nothing about is. I do not know whether you have been informed of the facts before but I sincerely beleve you have not or else you would have had it thoroughly sifted ore now.

I remain your humble Servant

D. Coller

MS annotation by M: 'was not informed about it at the time'. Smith was transferred to the Northern Grounds of the Gardens, across the river from the main site. In D. Coller to M, 11 May 1870, Coller objected to Smith's seeking to be re-employed in the main Gardens.