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E58/1482, unit 745, VPRS 1189 inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 58.02.00Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Frederick McCoy, 1858-02. 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//letters/1850-9/1858/58-02-00-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
1
MS in M's handwriting. Registered at the Chief Secretary's Office on 16 February 1858.
2
The Board of Science was established by the Government of Victoria in February 1858
to provide advice on questions relating to the applied sciences in which the Government
had an interest. It comprised the principal scientific and engineering officers in
the civil service including M, with R. Brough Smyth as Secretary. See H. M. Cohn (1990),
pp. 71-3. See also J. Moore to M, 21 January 1858 (in this edition as 58-01-21a).
4.
It is objectionable, that the heads of scientific departments should report through
the board and not directly through the Cabinet Minister to the Government and the
Legislature. Nor is the scientific board entitled to issue the proposed instructions
as already a much completer code of instructions has been issued at least to the Government
Botanist and Director of the botanic garden by government.
The scientific departments should continue in every way independent from the board,
nor can their respective administrators be considered in their official capacity members
of the board, and it can not constitutionally exercise the power of receiving reports
and remodelling estimates.
3
Board of Science instruction no. 4: 'Those Members of the Board who have the control
of Departments shall be required to report annually on the following matters, viz:
… The Government Botanist or Director of the Botanic Gardens on the state of the Public
properties confided to his care, methods of arrangement of the plants adopted, with
description of all plants named by him, &c.'
4
Instructions not found.
8.
It is not advisable to subject the estimates of the scientific departments to the
consideration of the board, but it is preferable, that they should as before and in
a constitutional manner be submitted in their integrity to the Cabinet Ministers.
Indeed it is more likely that in case of requisite alteration of the proposed expenditure
such gentlemen could be more advantageously consulted, as are versed in the requirements
of the respective departments, which in the board may be represented by only a solitary
member.
5
Board of Science instruction no. 8: 'In preparing the Estimates of proposed Expenditure
for each year the Heads of the Scientific Departments are recommended to seek the
advice of the Board and in every case the Estimates must be submitted to the Board
before being forwarded to the Chief Secretary — the Board thus having an opportunity
of making known its opinion to the Minister on the Estimates for Scientific purposes
—'.
10.
The board can under no consideration exercise the power of enquiry into existing
administration, in as much as its members representing totally different sciences
can not be considered competent judges in all scientific matters. It would be far
more desirable to call for such a purpose, as it is customary everywhere, a special
board of enquiry, consisting of gentlemen sufficiently experienced in and acquainted
with that branch of scientific administration, to be enquired into.
6
Board of Science instruction no. 10: 'The Board shall have power to call for documents,
examine witnesses, and collate evidence when required.'
7.
The fund, voted for the botanic garden ought not to be under the control of its Director,
but should remain under the control of the office of public work, of which very properly
the bot. Garden forms a branch department.
7
Board of Science instruction no. 7: 'Monies voted for special Scientific purposes
as for instance the monies voted for "Geological Survey" "Museums" &c shall be under
the control of the Heads of those Departments, subject to the approval of the Chief
Secretary'.
8
McCoy (n.d.) commented on this letter for the Chief Secretary, W. Haines: 'The Government
Botanist has called my attention to the objections he entertains to some of the Instructions
proposed to be issued to the newly constituted Board of Science, and at my request
has submitted his remarks on the subject in writing as herewith appended. It seems
probable that Dr Muëller may not in every case have correctly apprehended the intention
of these instructions, and he certainly has not always very clearly expressed what
he means to say in commenting upon them; — but as I believe him to be very desirous
to assist in carrying out the objects of the Government and as I interested myself
some time since with the President of the Board of Land & Works — to get his position
as Head of the Botanical Department in this Colony distinctly recognised, — I deem
it right to point out for the consideration of the honble the Chief Secretary, that
his objections are not altogether unfounded. Whilst fully appreciating the importance
of establishing more systematic relations between the Government and the various Scientific
officers employed at the Public Expense, — and duly estimating also the value of the
services the latter can render — in reporting on the scientific qualifications of
applicants for certain situations, as well as on application for grants of money for
scientific purposes, — I do not I must confess perceive that any advantage is likely
to accrue from bringing the ordinary operations of the several Departments under the
control of a Central Board, — but on the contrary am disposed to think that the result
must inevitably be — continual squabbling, — a great deal of what is nowadays styled
— circumlocution, — considerable delay, and worst of all a very great diminution of
responsibility on the part of the Heads of each Branch. I would suggest therefore
that it would be far preferable to let each of these Heads as now send in his annual
Report, submit his Estimates of Expenditure, and his List of Employés &c, to the proper
Responsible Minister, — the Director of the Botanic Garden for instance to the President
of the Board of Works, — and to leave the new Board of Science to confine itself to
the other matters alluded to, except in case of special references from the Government.'
M's fears about possible interference in his work by the Board were not borne out.
Mainly concerned with mining matters, the Board became a mining commission by default.
It was disbanded in 1860. See H. M. Cohn (1990), pp. 71-3.