Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot Garden,

20/6/68

Sir

I have the honor to report to you for the information of his Worship the Mayor and the respected Members of the Corporation, that the two men, who were kindly placed at my disposal have sunk and filled with good soil approximately one thousand holes on the City side of the Yarra Bank,

1

See E. FitzGibbon to M, 13 June 1868 (in this edition as 68-06-13b).

and that I have provided and caused to be selected by an experienced Gardener of this establishment the necessary number of rooted plants and strong cuttings both of Basket- and Weeping Willow, 700 of which are planted already. On close calculation it is found now, that it will take at least 3000 plants in all to complete the planting on the townside of the river up to the punt-road, and I now respectfully request that the Council will kindly grant the labor of the two men, now working, for a few weeks longer, in order that this highly important and useful work may be well accomplished at once.

2, The double fencing on the Yarra affords considerable facility, to plant the space between the river and the nearest fence-line, and I cannot help to point out the very great desirability of raising some vegetation on the intermediate space. I venture thus to suggest for the favorable consideration of the City Council, that a plough may a few times traverse the line. I would then undertake to scatter some wattle and Gum-tree seeds and grains of other quick growing plants along the ploughed line, by which measure a line of evergreen vegetation would be established, so desirable when in the cool season the willows are defoliated

3, May I ask permission later in the season to remove the natural small basalt-stones which are cropping out on Jollimont-road, these stones being of value to me for edging purposes and render the Jollimont road rather unsightly.

4, In connection with the general improvements, which the City council has so considerately sanctioned, I would beg leave to point out the desirability, that the inhabited building at the bottom of Jollimont road, so visible from the Yarra-hill and many other places may receive a coat of paint for embellishment.

5, Already 44 Elms are planted along the railing of the city-Bridge and the remaining 40 will be planted in the course of the next week.

6, the planting of clumps of Danubian Reeds, Native Teatree & other trees and shrubs calculated to stand flooding, has, as far as my own slender means admitted of it, been completed now on the municipal ground near the bridge, including the triangle at the boathouses on the northern side, and I trust, when these plants shall have recovered from the removal, these operations will give satisfaction to the City Council.

E. Fitzgibbon Esq. Town clerk

2

At a meeting of the Melbourne City Council Health Committee, 13 May 1868: 'Chairman instructed to report to Council recommending that Authority be given for the employment of two men for a period of two months to dig holes for the reception of trees on the banks of the River Yarra the men to be under the orders and control of Dr Mueller.' (Unit 1, VPRS 4039, PROV). At a meeting of, 27 May 1868: 'In respect to the two laborers granted by the Council for the Yarra Bank Road the City surveyor was instructed to appoint and control them. Dr Mueller to direct the work to be done.' (Unit 1, VPRS 4039, PROV).

See also E. FitzGibbon to M, 27 June 1868.