Document information
Physical location:
A345 Royal Park Trustees letter and minute book, pp. 24-5, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 66.06.28Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to James McCulloch, 1866-06-28. 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/1860-9/1866/66-06-28-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
Melbourne botan. Gardens
28/6/66
Sir
It having come to the knowledge of the Trustees of the Royal Park that the building
used lately as a temporary lunatic Asylum has become vacant I have the honor by direction
of the trustees to point out for your consideration that possession may be given of
this building to the Trustees.
The unfitness of the building alluded to for the safe custody of Lunatics is generally
only lately three of them escaped, one entered a house in the vicinity occupied by
women & children and some time elapsed before he was pursued by a keeper, and thus
the safety of the family became actually jeopardized Many houses have been erected
near the building, where the families of working men are left without protection during
the day hours, thus it is highly probable, that some serious accident will happen
if insane if insane
people should continue to be allowed on the spot.
1
word omitted?
2
words repeated
The Trustees direct me to draw your attention to the circumstances under which the
building was allotted to to
its temporary purpose and they express now a hope, that you will be pleased to allow
it to revert to them and that the key may be given to the Ranger of the Park.
3
word repeated.
4
See also G. Sprigg to M, 22 June 1866
(in this edition as 66-06-22c): 'At the time the lunatics were first placed there namely two years ago the Trustees
of the Park were informed that the accommodation was only required for a short time'.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obed. servant
signed F. Mueller
Hon. Sec. to the Trustees of the Roy. Park
The honorable the Chief Secretary