Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot. Garden,

23/6/73.

Sir

I have the honor to bring respectfully under your consideration, that it would be desirable to continue the laboratory researches, which were for some years past conducted under my direction, and I beg to add, that I should be willing to superintend the chemical and technological operations there for the elucidation of vegetable substances even as an honorary Officer, if also in future the necessary means for the performance of the laboratory work can be found. The annual expenditure for that branch of my Department has been about £150, but comparatively small as that item is, it cannot be defrayed out of the £300. -. - voted, the latter sum barely providing for the routine-work and ordinary material of my Museum, whereas then even the subsidy of £100 for the work of Bentham and myself

1

The agreed Victorian contribution for each volume of Bntham (1863-78).

is left unprovided, and whereas likewise out of the £300. -. - a travelling collector cannot be kept, whose expenditure has been in former years about £150. - annually. As I am anxious, that the laboratory service should continue uninterruptedly I have thought to bring this under your favorable consideration before the beginning of the new financial year. I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant

The honorable the Chief Secretary