Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS annotations:

'I do not think any better course could be adopted than that suggested by S.G. [Surveyor General] | 31-5.78 RTG [R. T. Goldsworthy]'.

'[...] S.G. I am of opinion that his report is calculated to be of such benefit to the Colony as to justify [us] in incurring the expense of printing it. S.G. will please send in the drawings with such particulars as will enable them to be transmitted (through the CS to the CA) who will be requested to have them lithographed. [...] 5.6.78'.

'Requisition on Crown Agents for 500 copies forwarded through Secretary of State [...] 13.6.78'.

Register No. [3]/13458 Date of Record 23rd May 1878

Document: Dated 14th May 1878.

From Chief Secretary, Melbourne

To Colonial Secretary

Nature and Subject.

Letter transmitting Baron von Muellers report on the Forest Resources of Western Australia

2

In M to G. Berry, 12 May 1878 (in this edition as 78-05-12a), M requested that his report arising from his visit to WA in November and December1877 be forwarded for the attention of Malcolm Fraser as 'Chairman of the Forest-Board' of WA; he was told that it had been sent in W. Odgers to M, 16 May 1878 (in this edition as 78-05-16a).

Referred to Surveyor General Chairman Forest Commisn on May 23d 1878

Reply (attached) received on

(Date) 28th May 1878

Minute by President of Forest Commission

3

President of Forest Commission above Colonial Secretary deleted.

to Colonial Secretary

4

Colonial Secretary after Governor deleted.

I have read this Report by Baron Von Mueller. It is both comprehensive and exhaustive, but if it is to be published with all the drawings of which there eighteen (18) of large size (similar to the specimen lithograph herewith) and (13) thirteen others of smaller size. I cannot but think they should be lithographed in London. In one of his memos

5

Letter not found.

he asked that (2000) two thousand copies of each should be printed. I think myself there should be not less than (500) five hundred . With one lithographer this cannot be done in my office without stopping everything else for many months. The question is whether the Report is to be printed (its consists of 103 folios of manuscript) if so then I do not read it to be intelligible without the drawings. I think the expense of producing the lithos enumerated should not exceed £200

6

An asterisk is related to a MS note: 'Note./ Estimate for drawings, 31 in number, in [...] on Stone £140—Printing 500 copies of each £60—together £200—or for 1000 copies say £50 more £250. | M.F.'.

— If they are sent to Crown Agents by next mail they will be out in time to be bound up with the Forests Commission's report

7

The report was published in London (B79.13.10), having been seen through the press by Joseph Hooker (see M to J. Hooker, 11 September 1879 (in this edition as 79-09-11a)). It has a plate for each of 17 species of Eucalyptus, and three plates on which are grouped 13 anatomical figures. M bought five copies through his London bookseller, and was given more by the WA Government; see M to J. Forrest, 11 September 1879 and notes thereto. The report was republished (B82.13.21) with a report compiled in WA under the direction of Malcolm Fraser; see Fraser (1882).

—I beg to suggest that the Government of Victoria be thanked for their great courtesy and liberality in allowing Baron Von Mueller to remain a month in this colony for the purpose of collecting the materials for his report, and I think that the Baron should be complimented on the masterly manner with which his subject has been grasped, considering how short the time at his disposal was to do it in.