Ferdinand von Mueller

5. 9. [189]3

1

editorial addition.

Dear Baron von Mueller,

I have made very careful inquiry and find that there is not the slightest grounds for believing that a cart was taken by Leichhardt on his final journey.

2

See M to A. Macdonald, 25 September 1893.

Mr […] says emphatically that a cart was […]

3

The MS page has become friable and a line of text has crumbled away.

You are now on the eve of the Adelaide Meeting of the Association.

4

The Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science met in Adelaide, 25 September-2 October 1893.

We were led to [be]lieve that the meeting following the Adelaide one was to be held in Brisbane in 1894, but now at the last moment our local secretary

5

J. Shirley.

has raised so many obstacles to the former arrangement that it has been decided by the casting vote of our chairman at our last meeting, who is [to] induce the Adelaide people to agree to the Brisbane meeting for 1895. I can see no reason for leaving it so [late] & I objected to the arrangement [on] the grounds of it being contrary to the Rules of the Association [which] imply that the meetings shall be annual . My objection was supported by half of our meeting, & it was only on the casting vote of the Chairman that the date was fixed for 1895. I trust you will advise your scientific [friends] to insist on 1894 as the year of the Brisbane meeting & that you will yourself urge it in fairness to the other colonies, who are waiting, a visit from the Association.

6

In the event, the Brisbane meeting was held in January 1895.

Kindly regard this advice & information as strictly private & confidential .

Baron Sir F. von Mueller

K.C.M.G., F.R.S., etc., etc.,

Melbourne