From: Biological Stn. Pearl Beach
Via Woy Woy
NSW

To: Miss M. C. Sadler
"White Lodge"
101 Northcourt Rd.
Abingdon, Berkshire
England

December 7, 1953

My dear Margaret,

Here we are in December and I have not even written you a Christmas letter, or sent you a little gift to tell you how grateful I feel for all the help you have given me with unravelling our interesting family histories - most particularly for the last news which gives me hope about the plans for a National Botanic Garden.

I wrote to Professor Murray of the Dept. of Zoology, Sydney University, who knows Dr. Julian Huxley and entertained him when he was in Sydney but he replies that the great man had a very full programme and hardly saw the Dept. of Zoology. He has now departed and is in Manila. In any case he counsels waiting until the New Program of Botany is appointed when we will put the matter before him. I fail to see why I should do any such thing. The Chair became vacant over twelve months ago. The Garden plans were endorsed by the Trustees of Warrah Sanctuary two years ago and we are at present being dealt with by the district Surveyor. The last Professor of Botany was not at all helpful.

In any case, if we leave it too long, some other part of the Empire may make an application for the funds. I am quite sure upon the most important factor in our claim: Our fauna is the most ancient in existence and its survival is in jeopardy. At present I do not know of one place in Australia where the animals are being protected in their own habitat under natural conditions and in security. There are some zoo-like enclosures where they are 'cared for', and I am deeply concerned by what is happening to them in these places although they are actually receiving encouragement from zoologists in important positions.

It is important to note that nearly all these people have not lived in the bush themselves for many many years - or not at all - and their ignorance is exposed by the very fact of their methods of capturing some of our most engaging animals: Koalas and the lovely little gliding possums. They chop down their nesting trees! You can imagine the results. Those which are not killed outright are often badly injured then taken into their so-called 'hospitals', patched up and then often end up in zoos! Nothing is too rare or too lovely to escape this fate.

Do you think you could find the name and address of the present Duke? I might write to him myself telling him the story. How do you address him? 'My Lord' or 'My Lord Duke'? You see how ignorant I am? Very few of this rare species of fauna come to Australia!

I have been rather slow in advising you that you are not correct in thinking there are no Crommelins left in the male line. I think I told you about those in W. Australia with whom we do not wish association. There is another in New Zealand - Henry, the son of my father's brother, Charles (who was M.D.) b.1875. He had two sons: Louis b.1914 and Allan Ebdon b.1918, and two grandsons, David Allan 1947, and John Peter b.1948. Henry was in a bank. As you see he is getting old now, and I think his son went to the last war. He bears the family name Ebdon, and that is another name I cannot trace back. Do you know where it comes in?

I am so busy just now and often knocked down by the heat. We have had temperatures from 90 to 104 degrees. They are most trying and I find household duties rather taxing so I have to take the washing, cooking and cleaning on separate days. Help is most difficult to obtain, and the charge for it outrageous so I just have to do my best without it.

I have not written to the Evelyn Crommelins yet. 'Thought I would wait for a better address, but I may chance a letter to her c/o Bankers, Coutts & Co., 440 The Strand, London WC2.

I hope, dear Margaret, that you have a very happy Christmas and that you are well and not feeling the cold of the winter. Do you know if our g.g. grandfather married Mary Ardon in England or in America on his way there? Some of the old country records may disclose the name. I wonder if it is in the Shakespeare country. It sounds so very English, doesn't it? Love from your cousin Minard.