Document information

Physical location:

Q68/11539, unit 750, VPRS 44/P inwards registered and unregistered correspondence, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria. 68.08.21

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to James Grant, 1868-08-21. 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/68-08-21>, accessed April 20, 2025

Melbourne bot Garden
21/8/68.
Sir
I have the honor to bring under your favorable consideration, that Mr John Dallachy, who since 1850 was an officer of the botanic Garden and who has now attained his 63th year, might be allowed to receive a small annual pension under the Civil Service Act. He was originally Curator of the Garden, which position he held til 1861, when he received a sum of £300 for discontinuance of his office. With the approval of the honorable the Chief Secretary I was allowed to reengage his services as a Collector for the botanic Garden at a rate of 10/ for each working day, no personal travelling expenses being allowed. In the discharge of this new duty he has been very zealous and from his natural interest in the plants of Australia I feel convinced, that he would gladly continue to collect for the establishment as long as his health and strength continues without any or for little additional remuneration even when he enjoyed his pension.
His income having for the last seven years been £150 I would beg leave to recommend that £100 annually may be granted to him for the limited number of years which he is likely yet to enjoy. This £100 could then be readily reduced from the wages vote of the botanic Garden and thus an additional saving be effected.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your very obedient
Ferd. Mueller.
The honorable Jam Macph. Grant, M.P.
Minister of the Department of Crown Land & Survey.
1
MS file annotations in two unidentified hands: '[…] that C. of C. Lads Sy [Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey] cannot deal with this matter at present […] 24/8/68', and: 'Informed [accold] [accordingly?] […] 27/8/68'. No formal reply to M's letter has been found.