Ferdinand von Mueller

Alexander Elliott. An annotation by Barry asks the University's Registrar, Edward a'Beckett, to instruct Elliott to make an appointment with William Guilfoyle at the Botanic Garden in order to obtain the plants required.

Evidently Casey's request was not approved by the Chief Secretary, for in the debate on Supply in the Legislative Assembly, when the vote for the Government Botanist was considered, Casey referred to a future possibility when he said 'this colony possessed an herbarium of which it might well boast, for it was second to none in the world, and included a collection of preserved plants which, to those who could appreciate its value, was worth a very considerable sum of money. Perhaps it would be wise to consider, at the present moment, whether this herbarium ought not to be removed to the University, where it would be in proximity to those who desired to use it. Certainly if steps were taken with the view of placing it within the University grounds, in a suitable building, which would be available for university and also for popular uses, the matter would receive the favorable consideration of the Government' (Victoria Hansard , session 1874, vol. 20, pp. 2070-1) .

M apparently heard rumours that he was to be required to lecture at the University (see M to A. Brownless, 24 June 1874 (in this edition as 74-06-24a) ) , which may have been a misunderstood reference to proposals to move the Herbarium. M was never required to teach at the University nor was the Herbarium moved.