Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

25 July1884.

The honorable Graham Berry, M.L.A.,

Chief Secretary.

Sir,

I have the honor to report, that Junior Assistant Léon Henry has tendered his resignation,

1

See L. Henry to M, 18 July 1884 (in this edition as 84-07-18c).

which I would recommend to be accepted, as he has been for a long time in impaired health, and as it is doubtful whether he will ever be strong and well, he being of very weak constitution. Under these circumstances he has finally resolved, to return to his friends in France, and he is anxious to proceed by the next steamer of the Compagnie des Messageries maritimes, which ship will leave Port Phillip about the middle of next month, unless he should change his plan and proceed with a friend to Sydney. A certificate from Mr. Rudall, F.R.C.S., his medical attendent, is transmitted herewith in reference to his state of health.

2

On July 1884 J. Rudall, FRCS, wrote, using the letterhead of his rooms at 121 Collins Street East, Melbourne: 'I have examined Mr Henry and find that he is not in good health and not fit to continue his duties and I believe he will not recover his health except after a long interval of rest and change' (A84/6162, unit 51, VPRS 3992/P, Public Record Office, Victoria).

As his salary or rather wages were small, and he was suffering so much from illness, altho' he was not exposed to injurious influences either mentally or bodily in the Department, he has saved absolutely nothing; I would therefore beg of you, honored Sir, to take into your generous consideration, whether he could receive some gratuity, perhaps at the rate of a months salary for each year of Governments service, he having been engaged in the Offfice two years.

3

See also M to T. Wilson, 28 July 1884. For Berry's refusal of a gratuity, see T. Wilson to M, 19 August 1884 (in this edition as 84-08-19a).