Document information

Physical location:

C85/4136, unit 99, VPRS 3992/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 85.04.16

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Graham Berry , 1885-04-16. 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/1880-9/1885/85-04-16-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Melbourne,
16 April 1885.
To the honorable Graham Berry, M.L.A.,
Chief Secretary &c
Sir,
I have the honor to submit herewith a report by Junior Assistant Mr. G. Renner,
1
See G. Renner to M, 15 April 1885.
concerning an attempt to break into the botanic Museum during the night from the 13th to 14th instant by two burglars, which design however was fortunately frustrated. It seems advisable now, to connect the Building of the Museum with the Observatory, which is very near, by a telephone, for which Major Ellery will afford every facility so far as his department is concerned. I therefore beg to submit this proposition to your favorable consideration, and forward respectfully a requisition for this purpose, should you be pleased to approve of the proposal.
2
The requisition enclosed by M, as set out below, is filed with the letter.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller.
3
The Undersecretary, T. Wilson, returned the letter to M on 27 April 1885 with the annotation: 'The Honorable the Chief Secretary considers the expenditure hardly justifiable'. M returned the file on 30 April with a note: 'Returned with obedient acknowledgement of the hon. the Minister's decision | Ferd. von Mueller'.
REQUISITION NO. 12
VICTORIA .
Half-Year ending
30th June 1885.
Department of Govt. Botanist
Item of Classification, as per Estimates:— Books — Incidental Expenses
quantity applied for.
alteration if any.
schedule number.
ARTICLE.
RATE, AS PER CONTRACT.
AMOUNT.
Construction of a Telephone between the Observatory and the Botanic Museum Estimated cost
£
s.
d.
6
£
6
Approval of Minister.
Head of Department Ferd. von Mueller
16/4/1885.