Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot. Garden,

22/5/73.

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 19th inst,

1

Letter not found.

and as it seems to me to imply a censure for having directly communicated with the hon. the Minister of public works, concerning a small potting shade on the 12. inst;

2

M to A. Fraser, 12 May 1873 (in this edition as 73-05-12b).

I deem it but just to myself to inform you, that the potting shade was to be regarded merely as a part of my requisition II for additions to buildings, approved by you in toto and submitted to you as far back as the 11th Nov. 1872.

3

Letter not found. But see C. Hodgkinson to M, 4 November 1872 (in this edition as 72-11-04a), for a discussion about approved modifications of M's earlier proposal.

Out of the approved sum the potting shade at the nursery has to be constructed. Moreover I was left under the impression, when you visited my Department some time since and desired that I should place myself immediately before the cool season set in in communication with the public Work Department for the repair and renewal of the nursery structures and conservatory parts, that all the details should be arranged between the professional Officers of the public works Department and the responsible Director of the botanic Garden as usual.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant

The honorable the Minister of the Lands Department.

4

On 29 May 1873 the Secretary of Agriculture, A. Wallis, minuted: 'Attach former correspondence & hand to Assistant Commissioner for submission to the Honble President'. Clement Hodgkinson initialled the file on 4 June 1873, and on 9 June Casey minuted 'Acknowledge'. Letter not found.