Ferdinand von Mueller

1

The file also contains a typed copy of this letter, presumably made at the Chief Secretary's Department.

Melbourne, 29/2/92.

T. R. Wilson Esqr

Under Secretary

Sir.

In continuance of my letter, dated ... February,

2

M left a space, evidently intending to check the date of his previous letter but then forgetting to do so. M to T. Wilson, 13 February 1892 fits the description.

I have the honor to solicit, as it may not be possible, to retain the whole Staff of the Gov. Botanist's establishment til the end of the finance-year, to allow Mess. Minchin, Renner and French,

3

Charles H. French.

to stay in the Department, til some other place in the public service can be found for them. I have great commiseration for these Officers, two of whom are married, and as they have all for many years been with me, if misery arose to them, should they become entirely alienated from the Gov. service. Perhaps the hon. the Chief Secretary may see his way clear, kindly to keep one more of these Gentlemen employed in the establishment, as the herbarium is so very large and valuable, and as such additional aid would promote my own progressive researches and the very extensive correspondence on the manyfold professional subjects, concerning which I am daily adressed by numerous colonists.

4

On 3 March 1892 Wilson minuted: 'The Govt Botanist is referred to the Chief Secretary's minute of this date on file U.1961, referred herewith. The applications of Messr Renner Minchin & French for transfer to other positions have been forwarded to the Public Service Board with a request that, if possible, some other positions in the Public Service may be found for them by the 31st inst, the Board being, however, informed at the same time that on the 16th January last the gentlemen named were given written notice that their services would be dispensed with from that date'.

The file contains a further note by Wilson dated 4 June: 'Let me see file re balance of the £250 for Contingencies on 91/2 & decision as to saving of'; see M to A. McLean, 7 June 1892, for the context of this minute.

See also M to T. Wilson, 25 May 1892, where M again expresses the hope that junior staff may be retained.