The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Private ¶ 1/6/68 ¶ ¶ Pardon me to mention to you, dear Mr Fitzgibbon, that at the City-bridge a path descends to the Boat-Houses below, which in my opinion is in the highest degree dangerous, in as m...

Document information

Physical location:

Unit 905, VPRS 3181/P Town Clerk's file series 1, VA 511 Melbourne, Public Record Office, Victoria. 68.06.01

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Edmund FitzGibbon, 1868-06-01. 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/1860-9/1868/68-06-01-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Private

1/6/68

Pardon me to mention to you, dear Mr Fitzgibbon, that at the City-bridge a path descends to the Boat-Houses below, which in my opinion is in the highest degree dangerous, in as much as the large lateral arch is close to the same place, and thus an abyss exists on the spots into which any one at night time may be lured.

I hope you will not consider me intrusive if I bring this danger under your consideration privately, and beg you will kindly understand, that I disdain any intention to offer opinions on a subject, which concerns me not officially at all. I know however very well in my large department how utterly impossible it is even under the closest application to duty, to see all things, that happen to be wrong, and thus I have always been glad to receive in this direction aid from well-meaning friends. In this instance I venture to suggest, that the descent to the boathouses should commence a few yards further on along the bridge, or that the yard or two of space, where any one at night time may tumble down, may be secured by some railing.

The matter, referred to came prominently before me while prearranging very recently measures to plant trees near the City-bridge

With regardful salutation your

Ferd. von Mueller

M's letter was read at a meeting of the Melbourne City Council Public Works Committee on 16 June 1868: 'City Surveyor instructed to prepare estimate of constructing a flight of steps at the point named' (Unit 6, p. 492, VPRS 4037, Public Record Office, Victoria). At a meeting on 23 June it was reported that: 'The estimated cost of erecting steps on the south side of Princes Bridge at the east approach leading to the Boat-Houses is £20. Chairman instructed to report to Council recommending that authority be given for the erection of the steps the cost to be borne out of the Toll Fund.' (Unit 6, p. 497, VPRS 4037, Public Record Office, Victoria).