Document information
Physical location:
T92/8908, unit 710, VPRS 3992/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Office, Public Record Office, Victoria. 92.08.25Preferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Thomas Wilson, 1892-08-25. 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/1890-6/1892/92-08-25-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
South-Yarra,
25/8/92.
1
Vic.
T. R. Wilson Esqr
Under Secretary.
Sir.
In acknowledgement of your telephonic message of the evening of the 23th inst., I
have the honor to report, that Mr Minchin and Mr French waited yesterday on Dr Dick,
who regarded Mr French as not physically strong enough to undertake Warders duties
in the Asylum for the Insane. As regards Mr Minchin the positions vacant in the Asylum
are less salaried than his, but I presume, that some compensation would be granted
him, were he transferred to any position with less Salary than that he has in this
establishment. I anticipate, that Dr Dick will report to you directly about these
two officers as regards fitness for transfer to the Asylum-Services.
2
On 16 July 1892, Wilson sent a memorandum with two questions to his colleague in the
Chief Secretary's Department, J. Killen: '1. How long are Minchin & French provided
for on Estimates?' and '2. When were the P.S.Bd asked to [provide] places for them?'
Killen returned the memorandum with the answers 3 months' and '3/3/92' respectively. There is a further note (by Wilson?): 'see [...] re Minchin'.
On 30 July, Wilson minuted: 'Write to Govt Botanist to ask that Minchin & French (the
two retained to 30 Sept) wait on Captn Evans on a day named (see Mr Connor) for examn as to their
fitness for employment in that Branch', and this was done in T. Wilson to M, 3 August 1892.
On 20 August, Wilson asked: 'What result?' The answer, in an unknown hand, dated 22
August, was: 'Both Minchin and French are considered unsuitable as Penal Warders'.
A further note, dated 23 August, reads: 'These men were directed by Telephone to call
on Dr Dick on 24.8.92'.
The file also contains a further minute, in an unknown hand, that appears to sum up
the state of affairs. It is dated 9 September and is further annotated with responses, in another unknown hand; these responses are given in round brackets:
'
re Minchin & French U.S.
[Under Secretary]
says
that
He thinks they have been already reported to the Bd [Board] as available for transfer.
Is it so? (Yes.)
If so on what date? (15.7.92)
What is Dr. Dick's report about them? (Not suitable)
Number & date of his report. (8.9.92 from Mr Killen)
(Capt. Evans says neither will suit him. 22.8.92.) [These brackets are in the minute.]
We cannot keep either man permanently Has Minchin passed clerical exam? (No) Or non
Cl.? [non Clerical] (No.)
(
US. thinks he has passed neither.
) [These brackets are in the minute.]
Keep them provided for on Estimates
(Noted.) and if necessary write to P.S.B. [Public Service Board] again about them
before making that provision (Not necessary)'.
Dr Dick's assessment is amplified in a note in an unknown hand: 'Dr Dick says (8.9.92)
that he considers Minchin and French
unsuitable
for the position of Warders in a Lunatic Asylum'. And Wilson's opinion is given in
an unknown hand: 'U.S says (14.9.92) hold this and see that provision is made on Additional
Estimates'.
See also M to A. McLean, 26 September 1892, and M to T. Wilson, 7 December 1892 (in this edition as 92-12-07a).
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your obedient servant
Ferd von Mueller.