Ferdinand von Mueller

M's request was forwarded to the Premier on 11 March 1886. On 22 March, the Premier's Secretary, E. Thomas, asked the Government Printer, J. Ferres, about the cost of the books, to which his deputy minuted on 24 March that they were 'sold at 5/- each copy'. On the same day Thomas asked Ferres 'to please indicate whether any, and if so, which of the within-named persons or institutions were granted a copy of the First Edition of the work in question'. Ferres returned M's list on 1 April, noting that he had indicated those persons and institutions with 'blue pencil' marks; these appear as crosses on M's list. On 21 April, Thomas sent a memo to Wilson: 'Mr Gillies directs me to enquire respecting the authority under which this Second edition was printed, and the necessity for it.' There is nothing in the file to explain this delay, or the reason for the repeated request. T. Wilson, the Under Secretary, forwarded the relevant papers on 30 April. The file was returned to Wilson on 31 May 1886 with a note from Thomas saying that 'The Premier has approved of the desired presentations being made'. Wilson sent the file to M the next day, who returned it on 2 June 'with best thanks'. After M's request was approved it was forwarded again to the Government Printer on 5 June, who replied on 8 June that a 'copy of the list has been taken and the books will be forwarded to the Public Library for transmission, without delay'. The Librarian did not return the list until 26 June.