The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne bot. Garden, ¶ 20. Aug. 1862 ¶ Sir ¶ ¶ Having been informed that it is the intention of the Board of Visitors of the astronomic and meteorologic observatories to solicit your favorable cons...

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Physical location:

W62/5548, unit 749, VPRS 1189/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 62.08.20a

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to John O'Shanassy, 1862-08-20 [62.08.20a]. 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/1860-9/1862/62-08-20a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Melbourne bot. Garden,

20. Aug. 1862

Sir

Having been informed that it is the intention of the Board of Visitors of the astronomic and meteorologic observatories to solicit your favorable consideration for the proposal to extend the Yan Yean Aqueduct to the Observatory reserve,

See M to W. Wilson, 20 August 1862.

I have the honor of bringing simultaneously under your favorable notice, that this measure of the Board of Visitors, if enjoying your approval, would afford an easy opportunity of bringing the water-pipes also to the botanic Garden. Hitherto the Yan Yean pipes have in no direction approached the botanic Garden or the reserve, and hence my wish of seeing the boon of an ample and inexpensive watersupply conferred on the gardens could not be realized.

Since now however measures are taken to lead the water to the new Military Barracks, it would involve not very great outlay to extend the pipes also to the Observatories and to the Gardens, whilst there from one of the culmination points of the latter irrigation could be afforded to the whole reserve between the City bridge and the Garden, where moreover now extensive plantations of pines are under the process of formation.

I need scarcely point out, that during the summer seasons a very considerable expense in conveying water over most parts of the botanic Garden by manual labour would be saved, if the Yan Yean pipes were extended to our ground, irrespective of the advantage thereby arising, that the majority of the plants under cultivation here would thrive with increased vigour.

In submitting the schedule of estimates for the expenditure in the botanic Garden in 1862, I included a sum of £400 for laying on water (under the department of public works), so that probably under the favorable consideration of the Government this sum could be expended in the waterworks this season.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

your most obedient and humble servant

Ferd. Mueller.

The honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c &c

On 28 August 1862 the Under Secretary, J. Moore, minuted: 'Bring forward when Estimates are under Consideration'. M's letter was forwarded to the Commissioner of Public Works: 'with a view to Dr Mueller's application being brought under notice when his Estimates are receiving the consideration of Cabinet.' The Commissioner, J. Johnston, replied on 27 November: 'The mode suggested by Dr Mueller for extending the water supply to the Botanic Gardens, cannot be recommended as the Main from which he proposes drawing his supply has now too many demands upon it to afford the required supply. The object can be effected when the Chapel St Main is completed'. Johnston asked on 28 November: 'Will Mr Taylor inform me how much it would probably cost to supply the water to the gardens by the mode he suggests'. C. Taylor, Engineer, Sewers and Water Supply, replied on the same day: 'Two hundred and fifty pounds'. The information was forwarded to the Chief Secretary.