Ferdinand von Mueller

14/7/66

Dear Capt Standish.

My old Pony, which as my faithful (?)

1

The question mark is M's.

travelling companion through the first ascents of the snowy mountains & in other awkward exploits attained some celebrity together with an other four-legged creature of a kindred nature, which served twenty years as carthorse are placed as pensioneers on the list of my department. Now I take the freedom to ask, whether you can extend to these quadrupeds your grace in allowing them at Dandenong or elsewhere to run with the police-horses. The small paddock, in which these 2 animals are grazing is yet this season to be planted with trees, an object which only can be carried out by the removal of these horses. Should however it be inconvenient to accommodate the brutes, pray do not hesitate to tell me so.

I have still a few reserve plants, originally put aside for this gardens own requirements, which however I will gladly place at your disposal should you desire more plants yet for any of the police-ground.

2

MS annotation by Standish, 23 July 1866: 'Referred to Mr Hare who will be good enough to arrange with Dr Mueller about sending out these horses to Dandenong (Vide Ch. Secy's approval within). Perhaps Mr Hare would see Dr Mueller about the plants &c wh he offers us.'