Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

23 April 1880.

W. H. Odgers Esqr,

Undersecretary.

Sir

In compliance with the request, conveyed by your circular 2139,

1

W. Odgers to M, 19 April 1880.

I have the honor to submit herewith my propositions for the estimates of the Gov. Botanists Department during the financial year 1880-1881.

2

M to J. Patterson, 23 April 1880, is a request for capital funds for building works.

Though my Department in latter years has become reduced to extremely narrow resources, I have in accordance with the wish of the Government effected some reductions in the present estimate, and also changed the wording of some items, so that each vote may be utilized to best advantage, particularly during the time of the forthcoming international Exhibition.

3

International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1880-1. See also M to W. Odgers, 12 June 1880.

As the means of the Department, compared to all others, are so slender, I am unable to save any sums from the votes of the current year, unless I stop the lithographic or xylographic work althogether. I may be allowed to repeat a remark, which accompanied my estimates of the current years, to the effect, "that I should hail with gratitude any additional provision, which the Ministerial Chief may feel pleased to render for the resuscitation of my Department as a whole, and if desired can afford fuller explantations of my views on this subject."

4

M to W. Odgers, 14 April 1879.