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68/6726, unit 138, VPRS 44 inward registered and unregistered correspondence, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria. 68.05.01aPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to James Grant, 1868-05-01 [68.05.01a]. 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/1860-9/1868/68-05-01a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
Melbourne botan
Garden 1/5/68.
1
Letter marked: 'Mr O. Farell to state the date up to which Brandon has paid fees.
1.5.68 CH'; 'Mr Brandon's license fee is paid up to 30th June 1868 Hugh James O'Farrell';
and 'Inform Dr Mueller that the license fee having been paid until 30th June 1868
it will not be possible to enforce compliance with any new conditions, or increase
the rent of the ferry until after that date. In the meantime the attention of the
Ferry Keeper will be called to Dr Mueller's complaint of the dangerous state of the
approach to the ferry, and informed that unless the approach be kept in a safe state
the license will not be renewed 18.5.68 CH So inform Ferry Keeper CH'. See C. Hodgkinson
to M, 18 May 1868, and M to C. Hodgkinson, 20 May 1868 (in this edition as 68-05-20c).
Sir
I have the honor to inform you, that I have deemed it necessary to direct the ferry-keeper
Brandon, to effect some improvements close to his ferry for the safety and convenience
of the public, coming from the ferry to the botanic Garden. It has been repeatedly
pointed out to him, that the path near his house is to
small, admitting only of one pedestrian passing at the time, that the path was not
even levelled and properly marked off, and that children might drop into the watery
abyss below.
2
too?
To this orders he has given either procrastinating replies or refused them altogether,
and I feel the more disappointed at his behavior, as I recently formed at considerable
labor the path from the garden towards the ferry, and caused an avenue to be planted
there and additional safety to be given to the river-bank.
I have now no alternative left, but to submit this case of indifference and selfishness
to your consideration, Sir, especially as I am all the more obliged to exercise vigilance
for the safety and comfort of the public, since the late mournful and lamentable accident
of drowning occurred higher up the river.
I can also not but anticipate, that it is your wish, Sir, that my authority should
be maintained on ground under my control, while in this instance my authority has
been set entirely set aside by the ferryman.
I would beg leave now to suggest, either that he be strictly enforced by your commands
to effect any repairs or improvements without delay whenever he has received my directions
to that effect, or that his rent, which is only £10 be augmented again to the original
standard of £50, the reduction being chiefly made to help him over a temporary difficulty
of flood and in expectation of continued improvements.
3
Brandon's licence fee was reduced to £20 per annum following the catastrophic Yarra
floods in December 1863; see C. Hodgkinson to M, 16 January 1864.
His position and business I regard quite a lucrative one, so that he well may afford
the original rent, and I am convinced, if the ferry was annually let by public tender,
a far higher rent than even £50 might be obtained.
This additional income would then provide to the department the additional means of
effecting local work about the ferry for planting &c, such as the tenant now refuses
or evades to perform.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your very obedient
Ferd. Mueller
The honorable
the President of the Board of Land & Works
&c &c &c