The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne bot. & zoolog. Garden, ¶ 1. Dec. 1858. ¶ Sir ¶ ¶ I have the honor to inform you, that after I had learned the decision of the Melbourne Municipality that bathing was allowed only on spots a...

Document information

Physical location:

Unit 10, VPRS 3621 inward correspondence from Government, VA 511 Melbourne, Public Record Office, Victoria. 58.12.01

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Edmund FitzGibbon, 1858-12-01. 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/1850-9/1858/58-12-01-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

See also M to E. FitzGibbon, 29 September 1858.

Melbourne bot. & zoolog. Garden,

1. Dec. 1858.

Sir

I have the honor to inform you, that after I had learned the decision of the Melbourne Municipality that bathing was allowed only on spots as secluded as possible along the Yarra and not after six o'clock a.m. in the summer and 7.a.m. in the winter, I thought it my duty to warn the bathers to adhere to these rules at least in regard to the vicinity of the ground under my superintendence. But I regret to state, that my remonstrations have either been perfectly disregarded or met with insolent response.

Under these circumstances I appeal to you, to assist me to force due deference to decency at the most frequented parts of the Yarra near this place, such as the new footbridge.

I shall be happy to let the bailiff of this establishment carry out any orders of the Municipality for suppression of the matter complained of.

I may be permitted to bring under your notice, that some bathers can even not be induced to choose a locality away from the Gate keepers tent in the zoological Garden, thus effectually preventing his family to leave the tent for hours in the morning. Ladys have been repeatedly obliged either to turn back from their intended early morning walk over our bridge or to wait until the bathers have dressed in leaving the gardens.

I fear that these disagreable affairs will not be brought to a satisfactory issue, until a few bathing-places were established on the Yarra.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient and humble servant

Ferd. Mueller, M.D.

Gov. Botanist

Fitzgibbon Esq &c &c &c

Town clerk

See also E. FitzGibbon to M, 1 December 1858 (in this edition as 58-12-01c) where FitzGibbon promises to bring the matter under the attention of the Public Works Committee.