Document information
Physical location:
A345 Royal ParkTrusteesletter & minute book, p.65-6, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney. 81.07.30Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to David Gaunson, 1881-07-30. 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/1880-9/1881/81-07-30-final.odt>, accessed June 16, 2026
Melbourne, 30/7/81
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that at a meeting of the Trustees of the Royal Park,
held yesterday, it was resolved to solicit an interview with you, as the Trustees
are anxious to explain the desirability of the removal of the building formerly used
as a powder magazine,
and as my colleagues of the Trust are also desirous to point out the justness of some
moderate provision being made on the forthcoming estimates for the repair of roads
and fences as well as other improvements of the large area of the Park, such being
carried on hitherto quite inadequately from the small revenue obtained by grazing
fees.
1
See M to G. Sprigg, 21 October 1864 (in this edition as 64-10-21a). The minutes of a meeting of the Royal Park Trustees held that day record (pp. 139-40)
the Government's decision to use the Powder Magazine for the 'temporary reception
of lunatics'. The Trustees were not pleased but recognised that the need was great
and wanted the Government to confirm that the measure was only temporary.
M to T. Bent, 30 July 1881 (in this edition as 81-07-30a)
,
asked for a deputation to meet him in his capacity as acting Minister of Lands concerning
the removal of the powder magazine.
Should you be pleased to afford the Trustees an opportunity to wait on you, they would
be glad that some days notice should be given them, so that timely information of
the hour of the interview may be given by me to all the Trustees.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller
Hon. Sec. Trustees Royal Park
The Honorable
the Minister
of the
Lands Department