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No. 1020, unit 42, pp. 558-9, 560, VPRS 1187/P outward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 76.04.13b

Preferred Citation:

William Odgers to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1876-04-13 [76.04.13b]. 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/1870-9/1876/76-04-13b-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026

1
The text of the circular appears on pp. 558-9, the list of recipients on p.560.
2
Circular sent to heads of departments, including 'The Government Botanist', within the Chief Secretary's Department.
(Circular)
Chief Secretary's Office
Melbourne 13th April 1876.
Sir,
I have the honor by direction of the Chief Secretary to request that you will be good enough to prepare and transmit to this office forthwith your departmental estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the financial year 1876-7.
It is to be hoped that you will not find it necessary to ask for any further provision for the service of the current year but if a supplementary estimate for 1875-6 be unavoidable it must be limited to such amounts as can be actually paid before the 30th June next.
To the Estimates of Revenue for 1876-7 if any it is particularly desired that there be added a statement showing the grounds upon which the amounts set down have been arrived at.
With reference to the Expenditure Estimate I am to beg that you will adhere strictly to the form of the Appropriation Act 1875-6 and that in order to make it unnecessary to present additional Estimates during the same session care be taken that all requirements be provided for.
These estimates also are to be accompanied by full explanatory information of the grounds for arriving at the figures given and in respect of new items as well as of increases or decreases whether in the number of officers or amount of salaries.
I am also to impress upon you it is absolutely indispensable to observe the most rigid economy in the Public Expenditure and the Chief Secretary relies on your making special efforts to effect any retrenchment possible by combination of offices or otherwise.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant
W H Odgers
The Government Botanist
3
See M to J. MacPherson, 20 April 1876.