The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne bot. Garden ¶ 12/2/69. ¶ Sir ¶ ¶ It having been decided by yourself, that the northern reserve should be alienated from the botanic Garden, I venture to suggest, that it might be desirable ...

Document information

Physical location:

T69/8312, unit 750, VPRS 44/P inward registered and unregistered correspondence, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria. 69.02.12

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to James Grant, 1869-02-12. 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/1860-9/1869/69-02-12-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026

Melbourne bot. Garden

12/2/69.

Sir

It having been decided by yourself, that the northern reserve should be alienated from the botanic Garden, I venture to suggest, that it might be desirable to give intimation to Bailiff J. Smith,

W. Smith? There is no other Smith listed in the schedule of wages for October 1869 in M to J. McKean, 19 October 1868. M commented against his name: 'Was hitherto employed on the northern Ground now transferred to the Friendly Societies. The discontinuation of his service has been recommended already to the Honble. the President and was already decided on by Mr Grant, although [his] term of service was temporarily prolonged'.

that his services in connection with the botanic Garden will now terminate. I have to beg, that in the event of your approving of the cessation of his services as Bailiff, you will be pleased to cause direct intimation from the crownlands office to be given to that effect.

I have the honor to be,

Sir, your very obedient

Ferd. von Mueller

The honorable J. M. Grant, M.P.

President of the Board of Land & Works.

Grant approved M's suggestion. M added on 28 June 1869: 'In thanking for compliance with my suggestion I beg to solicit, that Mr Hodgkinson will kindly cause direct intimation to be given from the Crownlands office in reference to the cessation of the service of the Bailiff particularly since his appointment was not made known to him through my office.' It was decided to terminate Smith's services on 1 August 1869 and Hodgkinson drafted a suitable letter to send him: 'Dr Mueller having represented by letter, that in consequence of the separation of the northern reserve from the Botanic Gardens, your services will no longer be required, I am now directed by the Hon. the Commissioner to inform you that after the [31] Inst you must consider your connection with this Dept "as a Tempy Asst in the above Garden and Bailiff of C Lands", as having come to a close, although you will not until further notice be disturbed in the occupation of the building in which you at present reside'.

In M to J. Grant, 3 June 1869, M requested that Smith's salary, paid from M's budget, be retained to allow employment of other labour in the Botanic Garden.