Document information

Physical location:

No. 301, unit 2, VPRS 1187 outward correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. M58.02.10

Preferred Citation:

John Moore to Robert Brough Smyth, 1858-02-10 [M58.02.10]. 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/M58-02-10-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Marginal note: ‘F1226’.
10th February 1858
By desire of the Chief Secretary I have the honor to transmit for the guidance of the Board of Science the following approved Instructions.
1 The Board of Science constituted of Gentlemen of Scientific attainments will be required to advise the Government on all matters for the consideration of which special scientific or technical knowledge is requisite and on application for grants or expenditure of moneys for scientific purposes not originating in existing Departments - and from time to time to report to the Government under the hand and seal of the Chairman of the day.
2. The Board shall not have control over the various scientific Departments but as heretofore the Heads of those Departments shall be directly responsible to the Minister for the Work performed under their direction and shall report to the Minister as heretofore.
3. Moneys voted for special scientific purposes as for instance the moneys voted for "Geological Survey" Museums &c shall be under the control of the Heads of those Departments subject to the control of the Minister under whom they act.
4 For the determination of questions requiring special knowledge of a practical or technical kind members of the Board may be appointed to act as Committees and those Committees shall in every case be responsible for the opinions they may give and the recommendations they may make.
5 The Board shall have power to call for Documents examine Witnesses & collate evidence when required for the elucidation of questions referred to it by the Government.
6 With reference to applications for scientific appointments submitted by the Government to the Board, the Board may make any recommendation it may deem necessary but the Government will require the concurrence of the Head of that Department where the applicant seeks employment before such application is finally dealt with.
7 The periods for holding meetings and the mode of transacting business shall be under the control of the Board and in the event of a Cabinet Minister not occupying the position of President the Chair shall be taken by the Members at each meeting in rotation.
(Signed) J. Moore
A Commission appointing the Board will be forwarded as soon as it receives His Excellency's signature.
2
In J. Moore to R. B. Smyth, 16 February 1858 (No. 334, unit 2, VPRS 1187 outward correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria), members of the Board are identified as: ‘The Honble Andrew Clarke | Fredk McCoy Esqre | Alfred Richd C Selwyn Esqre | Ferdinand Fredk Mueller Esqre | Thomas Skilling Esqre | Robert Brough Smythe Esqre’.
The Secretary to the Board of Science