Ferdinand von Mueller

Tuesday

1

Letter dated to 1878, when a proposal was being considered to re-accommodate M’s department at Albert Park. See M to G. Berry, 2 July 1878.

The house in Albert Park, dear Chev. Archer, at which we looked, is purchasable with the ground for £1700. -. -. The builder cannot make much profit at that. Had I enjoyed during my official career a salary like that of most of my compeers, I might have many times bought such a house. Still if even only the £900 could be spent on new ground, I would get at least Office rooms again. No highminded man should ask me to be a functionary on my own former ground, except as Director. Is there really a difficulty to place the paupers, now in Gov. House domain, elsewhere? Surely they must be removed some early day. The buildings occupied by them might be fitted up for the £900 which I have on my estimates,

2

The Estimates that M submitted for the 1878-9 financial year in M to G. Berry, 2 July 1878, included a sum of £1800 'for office Buildings, fences &c', 'on an understanding, that the headquarter of my Department will be in future at Albert Park'.

and I would resume some sort of career again with self respect and with something like place and organisation, and there better and earlier and more conveniently than elsewhere, unless in the Garden again. You know what my position was at Sir Henry Barkly's time, and I am sure you will use all your influence to resuscitate my position.

Let me kindly know, what the result of your efforts has been. Surely you might also arrange that the first part of the popular Flora, which indeed is written, may early appear with such woodcuts as are ready; that would cost not one hundred £ in print. Can it be done under the Lands?