Ferdinand von Mueller

Letter not found. The text given here is from the minutes of the Belfast Borough Council held on 11 March 1885. Following the reading of the letter, 'Councillor [William] Webb moved that the Clerk be instructed to write to Mr James Atkinson of Port Arlington for £5 worth of the grasses named by Baron Mueller, and also that the Town Clerk of Queenscliff be also written to as suggested by Baron Mueller, which motion was seconded by Councillor [Charles] Bourne and unanimously agreed to'.

The Belfast gazette published a more extensive summary of M's letter: 'Baron Von Mueller expressing his thanks to the Parks Committee of the Borough council for the attention shown him, by informing him of the excellent results which attend the Committee's exertions in arresting the drift sands along the sea shore. He was pleased to note that the Committee intended to spend the recent vote in continuing the planting of grasses and salt bush so successfully begun. The Baron suggested the use of buffalo grasses introduced by him in 1858. Baron Von Mueller also recommended that the Council make application to the Town Council at Queenscliff for some rooted offshoots of the sea-lyme grass, which from seeds supplied by him some years ago had become established on the sand dunes at Queenscliff; it was the most utilised of all grasses for binding sands on the European coasts. If once it is rooted at Belfast it could be readily propagated by division of the roots. He suggested that Mr James Atkinson, of Portarlington, be communicated with, as he makes it a speciality to gather annually the seeds of native sand plants and shrubs, and the expenditure of a few pounds in this way would be advisable.' (Belfast gazette, 13 March 1885, p. 2).

At a meeting on 25 March 1885 a letter was read from 'R. Jordan esq Town Clerk Queenscliff grasses for planting on the sands of the sea shore. The Clerk was instructed to obtain a copy of Baron Muellers work mentioned by Mr Jordan. The Book ordered from Mr West' (Minute book 8, p. 259, Borough Council records). See also Belfast gazette, 27 March 1885, p. 2.

On 8 April a letter was read from 'Mr James Dickenson Portarlington in reply to order for grasses as suggested by Baron Mueller. No action.' (Minute book 8, p. 265, Borough Council records).