Document information

Physical location:

No 69/650, Unit 6, p. 626, VPRS 7934/P1 outward letter press copy books to other departments and district land offices, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria. 69.12.07

Preferred Citation:

Alexander Skene to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1869-12-07. 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/1860-9/1869/69-12-07-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Office of Lands and Survey,
Melbourne. 7th December 1869.
Sir,
The Honorable the Commissioner of Crown Lands has instructed me to address you relative to your communication of the 5th ultimo,
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Letter not found.
having reference to the letters forwarded to you by him on the 1st and 3rd ultimo respectively.
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See J. McKean to M, 1 November 1869, and J. McKean to M, 3 November 1869.
Absence from Melbourne has prevented me from complying sooner with Mr. McKean's wish that I should endeavor to relieve your mind of misapprehension as to his intentions in communicating with you regarding future arrangements for the supervision and practical management of the Botanic Garden.
I am assured by Mr. McKean that in announcing to you the arrangement decided upon, there was not the slightest intention to cast unfavorable reflection upon your direction of the Garden, or to indicate a want of appreciation of your efforts and attainments in the more highly scientific branches of your Office. On the contrary, as intimated to the Legislative Assembly, it was simply deemed advisable to relieve you from active supervision of practical operations in the Garden, by the appointment of Mr. Ferguson
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William Ferguson.
to that duty, without contemplating interference with your position as Director of the Garden and Government Botanist, or the deprivation of your titles and offices as such.
The desire is, that Mr. Ferguson shall superintend the practical operations carried on in the Garden, and overlook the laborers employed therein, so that you may be at liberty to devote to other and more important scientific pursuits much time which the supervision of such works and matters of detail has hitherto absorbed.
I may add, that with the view of avoiding further misapprehension, Mr. Ferguson has been communicated with — supplied with a copy of this letter — and will be instructed to wait on you tomorrow with the view of forthwith commencing his duties.
I have the honor to be,
Sir
Your most obedient servant,
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There is no signature on the copy.
Surveyor General.
Dr. F. Von Mueller
Government Botanist
&c. &c. &c.
Melbourne