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Q60/11130, unit 748, VPRS 1189/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 60.12.12b

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to John Moore, 1860-12-12 [60.12.12b]. 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/1860-9/1860/60-12-12b-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Melbourne botan. & zoolog. Garden,
12 Dec 1860
Sir
I have the honor to inform you, that the zoological Committee under the approval of the honorable the Chief Secretary sanctioned only the temporary erection of a stand for the accommodation of the visitors during the Caledonian Games, and that this concession was made by the Committee not without reluctance, in considering the inconvenience & perhaps loss arising to the zoological Collection by the fete.
1
On 3 December John Campbell, Secretary of the Caledonian Society of Victoria, wrote to the Chief Secretary, Richard Heales: 'I have the honor to inform you that the Directors of the Caledonian Society of Victoria have been priveleged last year and this year by permission from the Chief Secretary to hold their Annual Gathering on the Grounds of the Zoological Gardens. In 1859 the Stand was removed immediately after the Fetes and this year another has been erected of greater magnitude and security at a very heavy expense. The Society is instituted for benevolent purposes, as well as the promotion of healthful out of door sports. The Directors last year voted Seventy Pounds to aid the funds of the Charitable Institutions of Melbourne besides assisting in many Cases of individual distress. The erection of a new Stand each year, being a serious drawback to the prosperity of the Institution, the Directors have ventured to memorialize you upon the subject, and to request that the Stand be allowed to remain. The Directors in making this application have sought for information from the Committee of the Zoological Gardens and are glad to find that no inconvenience will arise from the Stand being left permanently, and it will be a saving for the Benevolent Fund of upwards of Eight Hundred Pounds per Annum.' The Under Secretary, J. Moore, asked M on 11 December 'to report whether there is any objection on the part of the Zoological Garden Committee' (Q60/11050, unit 748, VPRS 1189, Public Record Office, Victoria).
I beg leave to draw your attention also to the circumstance, that the building erected by the Caledonian Society in the zoological Reserve is of the crudest & most inelegant structure, not built to last for any longer period than the games of this year. I may be further permitted to bring under your consideration, that the permanent occupation of any part of the Governments ground under my charge by property of a private society would introduce a new element of administration or supervision into this establishment, so as to render my functions & that of the zoological Committee greatly impaired.
Under these circumstances I cannot but regard it as highly indiserable, that the building in question remains standing on the ground and as it is already partially broken down
2
On 14 December 1860, Moore noted: 'Dr Mueller informs me that the removal of the Stand has been commenced and the Contractors are about to sell the materials by Auction'.
& no application for its permanently remaining has been made to the Gentlemen of the zoological Committee & as it even is doubtful, whether the Committee can renew the sanction of holding the games on the ground, (our deer having been lost on the last occasion,) — I have ventured to reply, in order that no delay may arise to the arrangements of removal of the building.
I am at the same time persuaded, that I only express on this occasion the sentiments of the Committee, but I will summon the Committee for their formal decision, should you regard this desirable.
3
See M to J. Moore, 14 December 1860 (in this edition as 60-12-14b).
I may however be permitted to avail myself of this occasion, to point out the desirability of having in the beautiful & valuable northern reserves of this establishment formally on public expense an amphitheater erected, which could be made at a moderate rent (to defray repairs) available for national festivals & gratuitously for benevolent purposes, provided that the proposed permanent removal of the animals from the reserve was previously arranged.
Such amphitheater however would require to be of handsome & tastful form & of permanent strength.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your most obedient servant
Ferd. Mueller.
Mr Undersecretary Moore.