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K73/8529, unit 750, VPRS 44/P inward registered and unregistered correspondence, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria. 73.05.09Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to James Casey, 1873-05-09. 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/1870-9/1873/73-05-09-final.odt>, accessed June 10, 2026
Melbourne bot Garden,
9/5/73.
Sir
I have the honor to suggest, that the hon. the Minister of the Department of public
works may be asked, whether there is any objection to the supply of Yan Yean Water
for two hours on Sunday afternoons to work with the necessary pressure the Geyser
fountain of the botanic Garden, which might play also on very special occasions such
as the Visit of H R. Highness the Prince of Genoa yesterday.
I consider it also my duty to draw again attention to the fact, pointed out by me
for several years past, that in most parts of the Garden the numerous visitors are
compelled to drink the unwholesome Yarra Water, containing the poisons and impurities
of numerous factories and drains of Richmond and other places, as for a very long
time past no Yan Yean Water has here been available even for general drinking purposes.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller,
Direct. botan Garden.
The honorable the Minister of the Lands Department.
1
On 14 May Casey referred M's letter to the Commissioner of Public Works, A. Fraser.
Fraser commented on 19 May: 'In consequence of the excessive use of the water at the
Botanical gardens
greatly affecting the domestic supply
, the Government some time since withdrew the Yan Yean service and substituted a pumping
one from the Yarra — the valves and connections having been removed it would not be
possible without incurring a large expenditure to provide even occasional supplies
for fountains &c. With the River Yarra at the foot of the gardens and a Steam Engine
to pump it I do not think a supply of Yan Yean can be necessary — for drinking purposes
the Director can easily attach a tank to any of the buildings'.
M replied on 22 May with a further minute on the file: 'The Director of the bot. Garden
respectfully submits, that the case in question has not been clearly understood, because:
1, all other public reserves and parks are supplied at least with good drinking water
and even often with Yan Yean Water for irrigation 2, because for the merest trifle
of expense in a few hours the few yards of water pipes to reconnect the pipes of the
bot Garden with those of Anderson's Street can be restored. 3, because the Yarra Water
below Richmond is not fit for drinking, on which question the opinion of the Chief
Medical officer might be obtained, 4, the working of any steamengine involves constant
and heavy expenditure, which at least in the cool season might largely be saved, 5
because the playing of one fountain for two hours on Sunday afternoons cannot possibly
affect any domestic supply.'