Ferdinand von Mueller

Sir

I have the honor to inform you, that at a meeting of the Trustees of the Royal Park held this day, I have been desired by my colleagues to recommend to you the appointment of Francis Meaker, one of the employees of the trustees, as Bailiff or Crownland Ranger of the Park vice E. Lissignol who has left the colony.

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Upon Lissignol's appointment as French Consul in Bombay, the Council of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria instituted an audit as a matter of good practice but found a deficiency of £100. Lissignol was arrested on 22 May, the day the vessel was due to sail. A friend repaid the sum involved, the Police Magistrate who was called cancelled the arrest warrant an hour before sailing time, and Lissignol sailed as planned (Age (Melbourne), 23 May 1870, p. 2).

The trustees instituted further enquiries and sought legal advice. M to F. Moule, 21 June 1870 (in this edition as 70-06-21b) asked for professional advice 'in reference to the financial irregularities in Lissignol's administration of the Royal Park'. The details were reported in an enclosure with M to J. McCulloch, 26 July 1870.

The object of this desired appointment being merely to invest one of the employees with authority to uphold the rules and regulations; no salary nor emoluments will be attached to the appointment.

The Honorable John MacPherson

Pres. Board of L & W.

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Board of Land and Works.