Ferdinand von Mueller

Office of Lands and Survey,

Melbourne, 13th Septr 1872.

Sir,

I am directed by the Honorable The Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 4th instant,

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M to J. Casey, 4 September 1872.

that the request therein made with a view to impede the progress of Government measures through Parliament is not only unusual, but displays a want of acquaintance with the relation that should subsist between the Government and the Members of the Public Service in British Governed Communities.

The attention of the Government has been called in Parliament to the fact that you are in the habit of complaining to members of the Legislature of the proposals, or what you assume to be the proposals of the Government, in matters appertaining to your Department. You must be aware that Officers of the Civil Service are expected to render the Government an earnest and willing support, and any attempt to obstruct the policy of the Government for the time being is not only inconsistent with your continuance in the public service, but highly detrimental to its discipline, the injurious effects of which become aggravated in proportion to the rank of the Officer.

In consequence of the matter having been brought prominently under the notice of the Assembly, when the votes for the Agricultural Department were under consideration, and the Honorable The Chief Secretary having given an assurance to the House that such practices would be authoritatively prohibited, The Honorable The Commissioner directs your attention to Hansard pp. 12. 13. 14. No. 16,

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Victoria. Parliamentary d ebates 1872, vol. 14, pp. 1207-14. Hodgkinson would have been referring to the pages of the daily print.

and has expressed hope that no occasion will arise that will render it necessary to pursue the course there indicated. —

The Government Botanist,

&c&c&c

Botanical Gardens