Ferdinand von Mueller

Memorandum not found.

On 3 April 1873, the Secretary of Agriculture, A. Wallis, commented: 'I have reported that the museum building is an unsightly structure, that it is situated about 200 yds from the Director's house, that it contains an extensive collection of dried plants, that the building and the plants contained therein appear to possess but few attractions for the public and are seldom if ever used by any but the Director or his employees, that much time and labour are lost by reason of its being so far removed from the Director's residence, that, moreover, the building greatly interferes with the improvements about to be effected in Govt House Domain, and I have suggested that, as it is proposed to expend money in additions thereto, it would, in my opinion, be the better course to do away with the existing building and to erect a new one on the piece of ground south of the Director's house, and at present occupied by common shrubs. Perhaps it would be advisable to have Mr Sayce's opinion on this matter?'. Joseph Sayce was temporary curator of the Domain from 14 March to 30 June 1873, to oversee the implementation for his plan for the layout of the area, but his position was not renewed and the plan was modified (Aitken & Looker (2002)). A. Morrah to J. Sayce. 12 June 1873, informed him 'that since you became temporary Curator of the "Domain" arrangements have been made for vesting of all Metropolitan Gardens, Parks and Reserves in the Board of Land and Works, and, to assign to Mr Hodgkinson, who is a member of the Board, the general supervision of all such grounds. The Botanical Garden, Domain Garden, and Domain Park, will be under a Curator, who, together with all employés in the Metropolitan Gardens, Parks, and Reserves, will be required to conform to such Regulations and instructions as may be issued by Mr Hodgkinson, as Permanent Head of the branch of the Department with which such lands will be connected. (No. 73/122, unit 4, p. 387, VPRS 7936/P1 outward letter press copy books of the Secretary for Lands, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria.)

Casey instructed on 4 April: 'Under the circumstances stated ask the Govt Botanist to point out a place within the Botanical Gardens & near to his own house, where a new & more efficient building can be erected. Also to state the size & accomodation that would be required in such buildg.' Wallis forwarded the file to the Inspector General of Public Works on 7 April: 'The additions to museum to stand over for the present, other works to be proceeded with'.