The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne botanic & zoologic Garden, ¶ 24. March 1859 ¶ Sir ¶ ¶ I have the honor to solicit by request of the Office of public works, ¶ that you will be pleased to sanction the supply of a boat by t...

Document information

Physical location:

J59/2719, unit 747, VPRS 1189 inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 59.03.24

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to John O'Shanassy, 1859-03-24. 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/1850-9/1859/59-03-24-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

This letter was registered twice in the Public Works Department: Nos 1780 and 2933, Unit 5, VPRS 963, PROV.

Melbourne botanic & zoologic Garden,

24. March 1859

Sir

I have the honor to solicit by request of the Office of public works,

See T. Balmain to M, 22 March 1859.

that you will be pleased to sanction the supply of a boat by that department for the use of this establishment.

This boat will be principly required to facilitate my superintendence of the northern ground, and has been selected already by the office of public works.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient & humble servant

Ferd. Mueller.

The honorable the Chief Secretary

&c&c&c

On 26 March 1859 the Under Secretary, J. Moore, declared to M: 'The Boat has I understand been supplied by the Public Works Department — no authority therefore is required from this Dept'. M's letter was referred to the Public Works Department.

On 14 May the Inspector General of Public Works, C. Pasley, commented: 'If this boat has been supplied, it has been without authority. I believe it is very much required, but it has certainly not been authorized.' M's letter was returned to Moore who commented on 23 May: 'There is no Vote under the control of the Chief Secretary upon which the cost of this Boat can be charged — As Captn Pasley appears to know that it is required perhaps he will supply it and charge it agt some Vote of the Department of Public Works'. Pasley replied on 28 May: 'Vote No 45, which is under the control of the Honble the Chief Secretary, includes a sum of £600 for "fencing paddocks, stabling, and other incidental expenses," against which I beg to suggest that the cost of this boat might properly be charged.' Moore declared on 6 June: 'So charge it'. On 7 June 1859 Moore asked M: 'Will Dr Mueller state what the cost of the boat has been?'. M replied on 7 July: 'The cost of the boat will be £25'.

See also M to J. O'Shanassy, 19 May 1859.