Ferdinand von Mueller

7/7/78.

I write a few lines, dear Mr Fraser, to ask you to extend kindly the term of my reselecting until Mr Forrests return. It can make no difference to the W. A. Government, whether the selection is made a few months earlier or later, more particularly as you are not bound to any particular term of time by Earl Carnarvon's Despatch. Altho' the hon. Maitl. Brown has kindly consented to act meanwhile for me he does not know at present of any place eligible for selection nor can point to any one, who would purchase the grant at what I gave for it. Meanwhile this, my last fund,

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.property deleted.

brings me not even bank interest. If I took the land at Ferguson's Creek, it would soon cost me an enormous price by more loss of interest. You have been such a generous & considerate friend of mine for years, that in this & any one other matter concerning my plans to connect my rank with possessions in West Australia, you are sure to act in concert with Mr Maitland Brown.

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M was granted an extension of time until the end of the year; see M to R. Goldsworty, 26 August 1878 (in this edition as 78-08-26a).

I see from a letter of the hon. R Goldsworthy to our Chief Secretary that my forest report reached you;

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See M to G. Berry, 12 May 1878 (in this edition as 78-05-12a), and notes thereto.

let me hope that it realized your expectations; there was no time to extend it further. When printed,

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B79.13.10.

I like some copies for scientific friends in Europe.