The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: [15]/10/78 ¶ Theday in the dateis missing. Theletter was registered at the Chief Secretary's Departmenton 16 October 1878; it is dated on the assumption that the letter was written the day before it w...

Document information

Physical location:

O78/11279, unit 1069, VPRS 3991/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 78.10.15

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Odgers, 1878-10-15. 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/1870-9/1878/78-10-15-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

[15]/10/78

The day in the date is missing. The letter was registered at the Chief Secretary's Department on 16 October 1878; it is dated on the assumption that the letter was written the day before it was registered.

I write a few lines, dear Mr Odgers, to ask whether you will kindly remind the hon. Graham Berry of my great wish for obtaining the £1800 for buildings, on the estimates before the parliamentary session closes, as otherwise a year will be lost.

You remember perhaps, that £900 lapsed two years ago. I am so very eager to get at last the Office, Museum and Laboratory Branches again in superior working order, and to provide space for the constantly increasing collections & working material. The present only room is so much out of repair, that it will be best to build anew in Albert-Park. I ask for no horticultural votes. Advise me kindly, whether I ought again to submit two official applications, one to the C.S., the other to the Minister of public works.

See M to J. MacPherson, 16 April 1877 (in this edition as 77-04-16a), M to W. Odgers, 21 June 1877, and M to W. Odgers, 23 July 1878 (in this edition as 78-07-23b). The last of these has a minute on it by Berry dated 16 October, prompted by the present letter: 'This matter must remain over for next years estimates when I trust satisfactory arrangements will be made'. The message was conveyed to M who replied on 17 October: 'Returned with best thanks for kind promise of the Hon. the Chief Secretary to provide the needful means on next years estimates'.

Regardfully

Ferd. von Mueller.