Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The Town Clerk at the time was Isaac Henry Manders. The text given here is from a report of the meeting of the Queenstown Corporation (NZ) held on 6 October 1868, in Lake Wakatip mail, 8 October 1868, p. 2 (B68.10.01).

Melbourne Botanic Gardens,

September 9th, 1868.

SIR,—In reply to your letter of 29th July

2

Letter not found; the meeting of the Corporation held on 28 July had 'Ordered that a letter be sent to Dr Mueller requesting a contribution of seeds' (Lake Wakatip mail, 30 July 1868. p. 3); the report of the outward correspondence that was read at the next meeting contains more detail, the Council 'requesting trees shrubs &c. suitable for the climate of this district', and 'offering in return to supply any indigenous plants or trees growing in the Wakatip' (Lake Wakatip mail, 6 August 1868, p. 2).

which I received only this day, I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with your request, I have forwarded through Messrs Buttner

3

J. Hermann Büttner.

and Hallenstein a collection of seeds of shrubs and trees to you for the use of your municipality of Queenstown. The quantities sent of each kind are but small, for not only is the main supply of seeds exhausted from last season's gathering, but besides it would be interfering with the legitimate trade of the seedsmen and nurserymen were I to supply, on a large scale, plants or seeds to municipal grounds. If, therefore, it is your intention to have

Eucalyptus

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or other trees raised in quantity, I would beg to advise to obtain the larger supply through mercantile channels. In return for seeds and trees now transmitted, I should be glad to be favored with seeds of any of the trees in your vicinity. Let me add that I will be glad to continue these interchanges as far as it is in my power.

The Town Clerk,

Queenstown, Otago.

4

The report continues: 'Ordered that Dr Mueller's letter be acknowledged with thanks, stating the Council will be happy to send seeds when the season arrives' [letter of thanks not found].