Document information

Physical location:

F97/4027, unit 972, VPRS 3992/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. M97.03.27

Preferred Citation:

William Potter to Charles Topp, 1897-03-27 [M97.03.27]. 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/M97-03-27-final.odt>, accessed July 28, 2026

28 Arnold Street, South Yarra
March 27th 1897
Charles A. Topp, Esq., M.A.
Under Secretary
Sir, —
Referring to your letter (No. 1309) of the 23rd instant, with regard to the Gratuity of £600 made by the Government to the Executors of the late Baron Sir Ferdinand Von Mueller,
1
Letter not found. However, on 23 March 1897, Topp minuted: 'Saw the U. T. [Under Treasurer] today Write to Mr Potter referring to our interview yesterday and say that the conditions under which the gratuity of £600 is to be paid are (1) that the Executors forward a schedule giving details of the manner in which the sum is to be expended with an engagement that the money when paid shall be so expended and that all books office furniture specimens &c the property of the Government be delivered to the Curator of the Museum'.
I have the honour on their behalf, to furnish you with the attached "Schedule giving details of the manner in which the sum is to be expended," and also to give you an undertaking that the money when paid, shall be so expended.
The books, office furniture, &c mentioned in your communication have been, as far as in my power to do so, gathered together, and will be delivered to the Curator of the Herbarium on Monday next, March 29.
2
The promised material was not delivered. On 13 August 1897, the Under Treasurer, R. Rogers, minuted to Topp: 'The Revd Mr Potter has drawn only £450 on a/c of the Estate of the late Baron von Mueller The balance of the vote will lapse unless drawn on or before the 31st Inst.' Topp responded: 'Yes, but he has to hand over the books belonging to the Govt before he can draw it; but bring under notice again in 10 days'.
In a minute marked ' Urgent ', Topp wrote on 24 August: 'Referred to the Under Treasurer. I have paid the Executors £450 out of the £600 granted as a gratuity to the Executors of the late Baron Von Mueller; but have not yet paid the balance (£150) pending delivery by the Trustees of about £300 work of books belonging to the Government. I have repeatedly urged Mr Potter to deliver them but he has not yet done so though he does not dispute the fact that they belong to the Government. I shall be glad to know whether I shall let the £150 lapse if Mr Potter does not deliver the Governments property before the end of the month'. Rogers responded on 26 August: 'Sir George Turner suggests that you advise the Executors of the position'.
MS annotation: '£150 paid into Trust Fund 31.8.97.'
Permit me to add that the Executors appreciate very highly the favour of the Cabinet, and the uniform courtesy experienced from yourself.
I have the honour to be,
Sir
Your obedient Servant,
Wm Potter,
Executor.
Schedule giving details of the Manner in which the Gratuity of £600 to the Executors of the late Baron Von Mueller will be expended.
Settlement of Debts owing by the Government Botanist at the time of his death together with Funeral, Administrative and other charges as under: —
£
s
d
Books, Select plants &c — Government Printer
13
16
3
Seeds for Department — Law Sumner & Co
7
10
11
Lithograms — Charles Troedel
2
0
0
Gas fittings &c for house — Mellar & Annear
2
19
8
Chemicals for Botanical Museum — Rocke Tompsit
1
8
0
Gas supply — Metropolitan Gas Co.
7
3
9
Books for Library — Dr. Law & Co
13
1
6
Advance made to the Baron to enable him to send out Collector of Specimens — Hon R. Reed
50
0
0
Australischen Zeitung — Br asedow
3
i.e. Basedow.
& Co.
1
0
0
Bedding — Renfrew & Co
1
5
0
Water Rates (house)
1
15
0
Ditto (garden)
—
15
0
Printing — McKinley & Co
1
17
6
Medical attendance during illness — Dr Maudsley & Dr Buttner
4
Alexander Büttner.
45
5
0
Wood — D. Chambers
1
3
8
Freight for plants &c — W. Sidley & Co
1
2
0
Wages of four Assistants (per Mr Luehmann)
5
10
0
Botanische Centralblat — Von Geber Gotthelft
1
10
0
Repairs to house — Mr. H. French
5
Not further identified.
2
3
0
Small miscellaneous debts
5
6
3
Funeral cards &c — E. Whitehead
1
19
0
Expenditure incurred in office &c during illness — Mr Treh[ear]
6
16
0
Municipal Rates — City Council
1
15
0
Nurses and other attendance during illness of the deceased
7
14
0
Administration Costs — Brahe & Gair
25
17
6
Ditto Fee of Valuers — Lamb Smith & Co
10
10
0
Burial charges — A. A. Sleight & Co
35
5
6
Wages of two Assistants and other expenses incurred since the Burial
29
8
6
Reduction of Debt — the Royal Bank
314
5
0
£
600
0
0
W. Potter
Executor
March 27, 1897