The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: No 53/261. ¶ Colonial Architects Office ¶ Melbourne 27th July 1853 ¶ Sir ¶ ¶ I do myself the honor at the request of the Committee of the Botanic Gardens to enclose a Minute of the proceedings of a m...

Document information

Physical location:

C53/7432, unit 185, VPRS 1189 inward registered correspondence, VA 856 Colonial Secretary's Office, Public Record Office, Victoria. M53.07.27

Preferred Citation:

James Balmain to John Foster, 1853-07-27 [M53.07.27]. 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/mentions/selected/M53-07-27-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

No 53/261.

Colonial Architects Office

Melbourne 27th July 1853

Sir

I do myself the honor at the request of the Committee of the Botanic Gardens to enclose a Minute of the proceedings of a meeting of the Committee convened by desire of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and held in this Office yesterday the 26th Instant

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your most obedient Servant

Jas Balmain

Acting Colonial Architect

The Honorable the Colonial Secretary

&c&c&c

Botanic Garden Committee

Special Meeting 26th July 1853

Minutes of Proceedings

Present.

Honble W. Lonsdale Esqr. (Chairman)

N. A. Fenwick Esq

James Simpson Esqr.

J. B. Were Esqr.

Fredk Müller Esq (Govt Botanist)

and D. C. M'Arthur Esq

Tender from Mr Duerdin, offering two greenhouses (with the option of taking one)

J. Duerdin to [M], 2 May 1853.

for £664 the cost price, was laid before the Committee — and

It was resolved

That the Committee recommended for the consideration of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor that it was extremely advisable that both the Greenhouses be purchased, as it was considered they were much needed and would be a great acquisition to the Gardens

It was also resolved

That Mr Balmain (the Acting Colonial Architect) be requested to act pro. tem. as Hony Secretary to the Committee and that gentleman be requested to convey to His Excellency the wish of the Committee that the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Henry Ginn Esqr as Hony Secretary be filled up by appointment of such party as might be deemed best by His Excellency

The meeting than adjourned until Tuesday the 4th Proximo, requesting of the Government Botanist and the Actg Hony Secretary that they would at that date be prepared to furnish the Committee with as much information as possible as to the state and requirements of the Gardens

Jas Balmain

Hony Secretary pro. tem.

On 28 July 1853 the minutes were forwarded 'To the Auditor General for report as to provision & the desirableness of the purchase'. The Auditor General replied: 'There is no provision for this purchase but I have received his Excellency's verbal instruction to include the amount which is reasonable in the Supp[lementar]y. Estimate'. La Trobe added in August: 'if not sanctioned by the Council they can be disposed of'.