Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne botanic Garden,

16/12/63.

My dear Mr Fitzgibbon

May I ask of you the favor to seek for me the permission of the Gentlemen of the City Council to erect a fence across the narrow space of land between the zoological reserve on the adjoining paddock and the Yarra, in order to prevent the invasion of cattle on the strip of land interjacent to the River and the northern reserve of the botanic Garden.

Probably you will be aware, that the greater part of the fence, by which this reserve was enclosed, has been swept away by the floods, and as it will involve many hundred pounds expense and many weeks work to restore it, my ground and the plantations thereon will remain unprotected against the cattle, unless the members of the City Council grant the concession alluded to.

1

Permission was granted and M told verbally soon after the meeting; see E. FitzGibbon to M, 9 January 1864.

I am not aware, that the cowkeepers of Richmond have any right whatever to use the Yarra banks as a pasture-common; and though some tacit toleration has hitherto been exercised in this regard, it is but right to remember, that therewith any improvements on the land in question have been frustrated

Although there exists no traffic whatever along the right bank of the Yarra opposite my ground, I shall, if I am permitted to erect the fence, leave a gate available for vehicles and pedestrians open during day-hours.