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V70/5699, unit 541, VPRS 3991/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 70.05.28aPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to James McCulloch, 1870-05-28 [70.05.28a]. 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/1870-9/1870/70-05-28a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
Melbourne bot. Garden
28/5/70.
Sir
I have the honor to recommend, that overseer Wilson of the Industrial Schools, now
stationed at the Depot at Prince's Bridge may be allowed to march the boys in the
morning to the garden, and distribute them to the various places where they are to
work, to fetch them at noon, to bring them back again in the afternoon and fetch them
in the evening.
I find that this duty makes a great inroad at present on the time of the different
gardeners, and the new arrangement would have the advantage of even better control
on the way, because Mr Wilson has had the boys so long under his discipline. In consideration
of this service I would propose to grant him two shillings each day when the boys
are here their whole time, and one shilling for half a day, and no pay would be given
whenever the boys are absent.
1
See M to J. McCulloch, 23 May 1870.
2
M's letter was referred to the Inspector of Industrial Schools, George O. Duncan,
on 1 June 1870. Duncan replied on 3 June: 'Dr Mueller was informed the other day that
the man in charge wd be allowed to take the boys to and from their work as he desired
and that I saw no objection to his receiving a small sum as remuneration for his extra
work. The man at present has only 2/— pr day.' McCulloch decided the matter on 8 June:
'appd without extra pay from Dr Mueller'.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller
Director botanic Garden.
The honorable the Chief Secretary