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Q90/7124, unit 611, VPRS 3992/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 90.07.01Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Thomas Wilson, 1890-07-01. 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/1890-6/1890/90-07-01-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
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MS written by G. Luehmann and signed by M.
Sir
I have the honor to submit for your favorable consideration the desirability of continuing
for further three months the services of the two youths, who with your permission
have been engaged in my branch for 4 days each week at a remuneration of respectively
3/ and 4/ per day; their term expired yesterday.
2
Approval had been granted in response to M to A. Deakin, 14 March 1890.
They are now well acquainted with their duties, and their pay is much less than would
be that of an additional permanent officer. Payment is rendered out of my vote for
Contingencies.
3
Approval of M's request was minuted on 3 July 1890, but later crossed out and on 4
July Wilson asked M to 'please state about when he will be able to dispense with the
services of these youths'.
M replied in a minute dated 5 July. However his first sentence, in which he expressed
his 'Best thanks for renewed approval', was crossed through and marked: '(not then
approved)'. M’s minute continued: 'I would beg to be allowed, to keep one of these
youths also in future, especially so, as they are initiated well into their work,
and as their pay is so very small; the other youth intends to present himself at the
next Civil Service Examination, when it is hoped, that he will pass and may get the
position of third Herbarium-Assistant, which position is vacant; this would save the
exertions, to train someone anew for the particular duties here.'
On 11 July, Deakin minuted: 'Approve of one for three months', and Wilson immediately
forwarded the news to M who returned the file the next day 'with best thanks', adding:
'only one youth will now be kept’. The youth retained was George French; the other,
whom M was forced to let go, was Arthur Luehmann. When the position of Third Herbarium
Assistant was filled on 1 December 1890, the person appointed was James Tovey (b. 1871).
H. Moors, for Wilson, forwarded the file to the Commissioners of Audit 'for their
information' on 14 July.
The request in M to T. Wilson, 3 September 1890 (in this edition as 90-09-03a) for the further retention of one youth was approved.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller,
Govt. Botanist
T. R. Wilson Esq
Under Secretary