Ferdinand von Mueller

29/5/86

Last evening, dear Mr Macdonald, I had a long consultation with Mr Rusden, and he saw the force, that the R.S. & G.S.

1

Royal Society and Geographical Society.

should be at an equality for the antarctic Committee. He approves of Capt Pascoes

2

Crawford Pasco.

chairmanship. As they have two Secretaries, we might, if you approve of it, add Dr Wild of the Erebus

3

J. J. Wild was secretary aboard HMS Challenger during its oceanographical research expedition, 1872-6.

to our delegates. The R.S. will have its next meeting on Thursday.

I am glad to see by the papers, that Mr Forbes will come next week for the South,

4

Henry Forbes was reported to be leaving 'Cooktown on Saturday week for the South', [i.e., on 5 June 1886] Argus, 29 May 1886, p. 10.

though he will loose the best part of the season. You will remember, that I telegraphed, that High Commissioner might contribute.

5

See M to J. Chalmers, 18 May 1886 (in this edition as 86-05-18a), and notes thereto. John Douglas, special commissioner for New Guinea, proposed to give from protectorate funds £500 of the £2000 required for the proposed next stage of Forbes' exploration of the territory (see Leader, 5 June 1886, p. 38).

We ought to make a strenuous effort, to get subscriptions timely, so as to be well represented as contributors to the fund. I will purchase an extra set of Forbes plants;

6

See M to A. Deakin, 26 May 1886. Sets of Forbes's New Guinea collections are at MEL.

so that will be a help.

The only subscription since the last three is one from W. D. Skene of Hamilton £5 through my young friend Campbell McKeller

7

M a cKellar?

(our member), herewith. When will be our quarterly meeting? We might hold it in connection with Mr Forbes coming here. That will bring us well before the public.

Kindly acknowledge the few cheques in the press as an encouragement.