Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne, March 30th 1889.

The honorable Alfred Deakin, M.L.A.,

Chief Secretary.

Sir

As the time is approaching when Departmental Estimates have to be submitted for the finance-year 1889-1890, I have the honor to point out, that some improvement in the status and in the salaries of the Staff of the Gov. Botanists Department may be worthy of kind consideration. On comparison of the expenditure, thus far incurred, with that of other Departments, it will be noticed, that the payments to the employees in the Establishment, under my control, have always been singularly moderate and in my opinion hardly adequate. I would therefore venture to suggest some improvements in the position of most of the Officers in this Establishment on the next estimates.

Mr. G. Luehmann held for 20 years a prominent position in the Office of the Gov. Botanist, requiring high education, and has acquired thus also special knowledge. He has had for the last five years without any increment £300. -. - annually, and unless promoted will remain at £325.- .- for the next five years. He is now 45 years of age. If this worthy Officer could be promoted to the third class, he would — and very deservedly so — commence with a Salary of £360.- .-.

Mr. Ch. French, senior,

1

Charles French Snr. [Standard disambiguation note added for ease of retrieval in searches.]

has been engaged in the Gov. Service for the past 24 years uninterruptedly. For his position as Senior Assistant in the botanic Museum the particular knowledge, which he possesses, is requisite. He is not even yet in the clerical division of the service, though his duties need from him frequent or rather constant clerical-work. He will attain, unless promoted, his maximum salary next year at £252.- .-. If he was raised to the fourth Class of the clerical Division, he would have an increase of £10.- .- annually up to £300, — after that £25 at intervals of five years. His age is now 46 years.

Mr. J. Minchin, second Museum-Assistant has been at an unincreased Salary of £132 for 3 years. Could he be promoted to Class 5 of the clerical division, he would receive an increment of £20.- .- annually, til he reaches £200 as a years salary. During the 10 years of his service he gained special experience, the exercise of which is more worth than his present income. He is now 29 years old.

Mr. Ch. French junior

2

Charles H. French.

has as third Assistant been now 5 years in this branch of the public service. Should his position remain unimproved, he would only yet receive £84.- .- for the next finance-year; and could never gain more than £96 a year. I would therefore recommend, that on the new estimates he be placed in the 5th class of the clerical division, his duties necessitating writing work almost continually. Although as yet only 20 years of age, his zealous application to duty render his well entitled to the suggested promotion. As the total annual monetary difference, to improve the position of these four officers, will be inconsiderable, I trust, that this solicitation on their behalf will meet with favorable consideration. Finally I would beg of the additions of two youths to the Staff of this establishment, one at 4/ and one at 3/ a day, for the future, — as the work, as well in the Museum as in the Office, is constantly increasing, and as such youths at small payment could do much work for which otherwise higher pay must be rendered.

3

On 4 April the Under Secretary, T. Wilson, instructed that M's letter be 'put with Ests. papers for the present'.

MS annotation in an unknown hand:

Memo for Mr Moors' information [Moors was Assistant Under Secretary] Recommendations by Govt Botanist

Promotion of Mr Luehmann to 3rd Class

Transfer of Messrs French, Minchin, and French Junior, from the Non-Clerical Division to the Clerical Division

Appointment of an office youth, and a Museum youth.

Further MS annotation in the same hand, dated 15 April 1889: ' Submitted Mr Luehmann of the Govt. Botanists office called today enquiring what decision had been arrived at on this letter as he wishes to proceed with the preparation of the Estimates. Of course the Public Service Board will have to be consulted in the matter.'

On 12 April 1889 the Under Secretary, T. Wilson, replied: 'Let the Govt Botanist send in at once his Ests for considn as he deems fit to recommend. If the C.S. [approves] of the proposed addns the Bd can then be written to'. Luehmann was informed of this decision on 15 April.

M submitted the estimates, see M to T. Wilson, 16 April 1889; and on 24 April a minute was added in the same hand as before: 'The Govt. Botanist has now submitted his Estimates of Expenditure for 1889/90 and has made provision for the promotions recommended by him. Would it not be well to submit the matter to the Minister to obtain his opinion on the proposals of the Govt. Botanist. If he approves the P. S. Board can then be asked for its Certificate. The Govt. Botanist called on the 24.4.89 about this matter'. On 29 April, Wilson forwarded a copy of M's letter to the Public Service Board.

H. Gomm, Secretary of the Public Service Board, replied on 3 May:

I am to point out that promotions in the Service can be made only in conformity with the provisions of the Public Service Act. The claim to promotion of Mr Luehmann, a Clerical Officer of the 4th Class, would have to be dealt with under Section 35 and the regulations relating to promotion under Sub-clause IV of Section 41.

Messrs C. French, Senr., James Minchin, and C. French, Junr. being all in the Non-Clerical Division, could not be transferred to the Clerical Division. The only means available to them for entry to that Division under the existing Act would be to pass the Clerical examination under Section 38, and then to enter the 5th Class at $80 per annum in accordance with the terms of the Second Schedule to the Act.

As regards the two youths for the Office and Museum respectively, exemptions from the operation of the Act are not made in favour of persons who can be introduced to the Service under the Act. It is assumed that the two youths required would be classed as Junior Messengers. Any application for the appointment of such persons must be made by you under Section 30.

H. Moors, for Wilson, referred this letter to M for his 'information and guidance' on 6 May. M returned the file two days later with an annotation: 'Estimates accordingly withdrawn and others herewith substituted' (N89/5953, unit 431, VPRS 3992/P, PROV). See also M to H. Moors, 8 May 1889.

M tried again, so far as Luehmann was concerned, early the following year, recommending that he be awarded a 'long service increment'; see M to A. Deakin, January 1890 (in this edition as 90-01-00a).