The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 15/5/81. ¶ ¶ The letter, dear Friend, that you entrusted to me for Dr Rudall, shall be forwarded to him; it is pleasing that your state of health has so markedly and rapidly improved. ¶ I would advi...

Document information

Physical location:

MS papers 37, folder 211, no. 606, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. 81.05.15

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Julius von Haast, 1881-05-15. 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/81-05-15>, accessed September 11, 2025

15/5/81.

Den Brief, lieber Freund, welchen Sie mir für Dr Rudall anvertraueten, soll ihm nachgesandt werden; es ist erfreulich, dass Ihr Gesundheitszustand sich so merklich und schnell gehoben hat. Ich würde Ihnen rathen, was immer Sie an Dr R. zu senden wünschen als Zahlung für seine ärztliche Mühe, Sie direct durch eine Money order an dessen Frau senden; die Familie ist nicht begütert, u da kein Einkommen in der Zeit seiner Riese erhoben wird, mag eine einkommende Zahlung immer der Frau recht willkommen sein.

In Bezug auf die N. Z. Ausgabe der Select plants liesse sich vielleicht etwas dort durch einen unternehmenden Verleger thun, falls Selbiger durch Ihre Ackerbau Akademie u andere Institute subsidirt würde, insofern als für eine Anzahl Abdrücke unterschrieben würde. Der grössere Theil der Kosten des Drucks liesse sich durch das Zusammen Wirken einiger Anstalten decken, u dann hätte der Verleger ja einen schönen Gewinn.

Wie grässlich, der Untergang der Tararua u der Tod so vieler Armen Menschen, — der durch die geringste Vorsicht hätte vermeiden werden können! —

Ihnen bestens für alle Güte dankend, u. mich Ihnen u Ihrer Frau Gemahlin freundschaftlich empfehlend, bleibe ich der Ihre

Ferd. von Mueller.

15/5/81.

The letter, dear Friend, that you entrusted to me for Dr Rudall, shall be forwarded to him; it is pleasing that your state of health has so markedly and rapidly improved.

Rudall, who had been treating Haast for rheumatism or lumbago, was travelling in Europe and America for several months.

I would advise you, whatever you wish to send to Dr R as payment for his medical trouble, to send direct by a money order to his wife; the family is not wealthy and since no income will be received during the period of his journey, an incoming payment might always be very welcome to the wife.

In reference to the New Zealand edition of the Select plants, perhaps something could be done there by an enterprising publisher, if he were subsidized by your agricultural academy and other institutes, in so far as there were subscriptions for a number of impressions. The greater part of the costs of printing would be covered by the co-operation of several institutes, and then the publisher would certainly have a fine profit.

How horrible the sinking of the Tararua

S.S. Tararua sank on 29 April 1881 with the loss of 131 lives, New Zealand's worst maritime disaster. Only 20 lives were saved. The ship was sailing from Port Chalmers to Bluff and was wrecked off Waipapa Point, Southland. For a report of the 'Verdict of the court of enquiry', see New Zealand mail, 11 June 1881, p. 9.

and the death of so many poor people, — which could have been avoided by the slightest care! —

Thanking you warmly for all kindness and amicably recommending myself to you and your wife, I remain your

Ferd. von Mueller.