Ferdinand von Mueller

I beg to thank the Under Secretary for his kind feelings in suggesting, that I should reconsider the proposition made;

1

See M to T. Wilson, 31 January 1892.

but after again thinking fully over the subject, I have come to the same conclusions. I think, that it is incumbent on me to recommend, that the most experienced Officer be retained, namely Mr Luehmann, whom I also 1873 took over with me from the botanic Garden, and who after his very long services under me is far more useful, to aid in the very varied obligations of the Gov. Botanists establishment, than any of the other of my Officers can possibly be. He also has voluntarily renounced in writing his claim for increment, which moreover would become due only on the 1 Jan. 1895. Mr Tovey applied already last year for a transfer to the Postal Department, so that he is almost sure, to have left me, before an other increment would be due to him.

2

Tovey, the Third herbarium Assistant, appointed on 1 December 1890, was still in post when M to T. Wilson, 23 September 1893 (in this edition as 93-09-23b) was written.

But I wish now to express myself emphatically also, as regards no in tention of mine to gain additional votes by keeping the best officer , as I recommend this solely for the sake of the continued efficiency of the establishment. I will therefore carry out all the needful work without asking for anything beyond the £1200 , to which the expenses of the Establishment are limited.

3

MS annotation: 'no date […] 8 […]'. On 9 February 1892 Wilson minuted: 'Submitted & recommended for approval.' MS annotation, dated 15 February: 'Hold for the present'. The Chief Secretary, A. McLean, minuted his approval on 3 March and Wilson sent the file to M the same day. M returned it 'with best thanks' on 7 March and the next day the file was 'Forwarded to the Commissioners of Audit for their information'. However, on 10 March [Wilson] wrote 'Why?' underneath that note. On 16 March, Wilson minuted that it had not yet been decided what was to be done with M's other staff, J. Minchin and G. Renner, who on 12 February had also applied to be transferred to another department (U92/1796, VPRS 1168, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria).