The Chronicles of Early Melbourne/Volume 1/Chapter 11 - Wikisource, the free online library (2024)

CHAPTER

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS: THEIR FOUNDATION A N D FIRST CELEBRATIONS.

SYNOPSIS:—EarlyTroubles. —The First Priest.—Rev. P. B. Geoghegan.—First Mass.—TheOriginal Church of St.Francis.-First Catholic Sermon.-Waysand Means.-FatherGeoghegan s Early Career.-His SubsequentPromotion.-His Death and Burial.-The First Charity Sermon.-Catholic Population in 1841.-Laying Foundationstone of St. Francis' Church. —Thieves Abstract the Coins Therefrom.-First Solemnization of HighMass.-Dr.Pohlding's Arrival.—First " Baby Show."—Laying Foundation St. Mary of Angels, Geelong.—Rev. Mr. Geoghegan'sDeparture.—Rev. J. J. Therry locum tenens.—Father Therry Suspended by the Governor—-" Old Colonial Days."—Father Therry's Labours.—His Departure.—Address and Testimonial.—Father Geoghegan's Return—HisSolatium.—£250 for a Dog's Bite.—Miscellaneous Incidents.—Dean Coffey.—Opening of Catholic Chapel at Brighton.—RightRev. Dr. Goold, First Bishop.—Discontent at His Selection.—Father Geoghegan a Favourite for the Office. —TheBishop's Arrival —Cavalcade and Demonstration.—Jehu Kippen's Belief in Dr. Goold and St. Patrick. —The Bishop'sInstallation.—His First Sermon.—Arrival of the Vicar-General, Dr. Fitzpatrick. — The First Native AustralianPriest. —The Catholic Association.—Dr. Geoghegan's Mission to Europe. —The Bishop's First Confirmation.—PopePius IX. —Outrage at Geelong.—Laying Foundation-stone of St. Patrick's Church.—St. Paul's Chunk, Peulridge.—The Revs. Dunn and O'Hea. — The Bells of St. Francis.'—Arrival of new Priests. —Church of St. Monica.—BishopGoold's Departure for Europe.—Presentation of "New Chums."—Religious Order of Monks. —Hie"Hippo"Monastery.—The Prayer Question in the Legislative Council.—Dr. Geoghegan and the Press. —The Dying of theStorm.—Catholic Census in I8JI, 1881, and 1886.—Dr. Goold created Aixhbishop.—Fees Prohibited.THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.

M R . P E T E R BODECIN, a carpenter by trade, and a very zealous French Catholic, onceon a time occupied a small weatherboard cottage in the then thinly built on Collins Street West,on the side opposite St. James' Church, and this was the humble and unassuming h o m e ofthe first R o m a n Catholic worship in Melbourne. At the beginning of 1839 there was, soto speak, only a mere handful of that persuasion in the community, and amongst themwas Bodecin, recently arrived from Sydney, where he had been favourably k n o w n to the Bishopand clergy, as a m a n w h o had conformed scrupulously to the spiritual requirements of his creed.Though the wooden conventicle on the Western Hill was supposed to be open to "Free selection"on afternoons, it is a practice of R o m a n Catholics not to be participants in a usage which is notseldom availed of by other dissenting persuasions; and so it came to pass that the few Catholics saidthey would hold Sabbath services in Bodecin's house. O f course it is not meant by this that theusual Divine service took place, for this could not be without a duly accredited priest, which there was not;and for the Mass, Bodecin simply read aloud some of the Rosaries and Litanies of the Catholic Prayerbook, his hearers making the responses. O n the Easter Sunday, at the usual prayer-meeting, the necessityfor taking some action towards the erection of a church and obtaining a pastor was discussed, a subscriptionlist commenced, and a collecting staff organised. A memorial was also adopted for transmission to theRight Reverend Dr. Pohlding, the R o m a n Catholic Bishop, praying that a clergyman might be sent toMelbourne, where the R o m a n Catholics were solicitous "to be united by discipline, as they have ever beenin faith, with the one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church." T h e memorialists added an appeal on behalfof their proportion of the " rising generation," and communicated the not uninteresting intelligence inan infant settlement, that their children " were daily increasing." A s a wordly inducement they declaredthat there is " not a place in which the temporal advantages of a clergyman could be better or more amplyprovided," an opinion fully verified in the future. Bodecin's most active colleagues were Messrs.A d a m Murray, T h o m a s Halfpenny, Robert Hayes, and William Cogan.Mr. Murray, secretary to this movement, had a plausible diplomatic way of doing business, and onhis suggestion, an earnest, and indeed, eloquent appeal was m a d e to the Protestant section of the THE CHRONLCLES OF EARLY

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inhabitants for co-operation in building a Church of R o m e . There is a dash of unwitting humour in thecoolness which prompted the issue of this manifesto, at a time when it was well known that theEpiscopalians had hard work to raise funds for the erection of their o w n intended church, and theWesleyans and Presbyterians had their hands full in the same way. T h e document was judiciously drawnup and the case well put, as this extract will show:—" W e (the Catholics) are," it declared, " among you,before you, and w e need but refer you to our numbers, industry and talent, to induce you to acknowledgeour importance to a new-born, rising, and struggling colony. W e are, however, poor as a community, andtherefore call upon you with confidence for assistance in our undertaking. W e need not, at the presentday, revert to those bugbears, the offspring of ignorance and fraud, which kept our fathers at variance forso m a n y ages."T h e appeal was met in a generous spirit, and several contributions followed, the most remarkablebeing the receipt of £2 12s. 6d. "from the privates of the 28th regiment," a detachment of which was thenquartered in the town. Several of the red-coated donors were members of the R o m a n Catholic persuasion.THE FIRST PRIEST.

The petition asking for a minister was anticipated by the Bishop, for it and the so much wished forclergyman passed each other on the route between Melbourne and Sydney; and so the Rev. P. B.Geoghegan, the pioneer-priest, arrived per the "Paul Pry," on the 15th May, 1839, and was followed bythe Rev. Richard Walshe in September. Four days after his arrival, on Pentecost Sunday, (19th M a y )Father Geoghegan celebrated thefirstMass in the colony, in an unroofed store, belonging to Messrs.Campbell and Woolley, at the corner of Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the now site of the ColonialBank; and it is a remarkable coincidence that thefirstMass, and thefirstProtestant church service, wereboth solemnised in temples with no other covering than the canopy of Heaven.T h e new priest was not a m a n to lose time in grappling with difficulties, and he set to work withoutdelay. Mr. Arthur Hogue, of Banyule, near Heidelberg, allowed him to use an empty store as a place ofworship, the collectors were urged on in their money-hunting mission, and on the 25th May, theindefatigable priest published an address to the Catholics of Port Phillip, which formulated a declarationthat ought to be preserved as a golden legend by every religious denomination, viz.:—" Po recognise theright of every one to worship G o d according to his conscience, is a noble and enlightened principle; italone can give a permanent basis to society, because upon it alone can be combined the various forms ofChristian worship into a structure for the c o m m o n good."Mr. Peter Bodecin was appointed thefirstclerk, funds were increasing, and at the end of June themilitary sent in ,£3 ios. as a second instalment of their good-will. T h e weekly worship was continued forsome time at Mr. Hogue's store, and Father Geoghegan, w h o was as methodical a m a n of business as theproverbial "old bachelor," in order to save the expense of advertising the subscriptions of R o m a n Catholics,had the list posted every Sunday on the chapel (store) door. They were not yet in a position, financially,to make application for a grant of land from the Governor; but Father Geoghegan had wanly chosen asite which Captain Lonsdale, the Government Administrator, permitted him to occupy, pending thesanction of the Executive. This site was at the intersection of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets. The placewas then literally forest land, and here in the bush was run up, at the cost of £ > o , a small wooden chapel,which was opened for service at 11 o'clock on Sunday, the 28th July. This was the original church of St.Francis, so-called after St. Francis of Assisium, the founder of the Franciscan Order of Friars, of whichBrotherhood Father Geoghegan was one._O n thefirstand succeeding Sabbaths it was arranged to hold three services, viz.: - i . I or familiesand servants, short service at 8.30 a.m.; 2. Parochial serv.ce, n a.m.; 3. Exhortation on some practicalsubject, 4 p.m. T h efirstR o m a n Catholic sermon or exhortation in Port Phillip was delivered on the28th Tulv; subject—" Social Duties.".'O n the 29th September, r 8 3 9 ) a meeting was held in the temporary chapel to consider the importantquestion of " W a y s and Means." T h e amount of collections was reported as ,£116 in cash and .£20 inpromissory notes If ,£300 could be raised the land grant would issue, and an annual salary of ,£150, be 138

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allowed for the minister. The temporary chapel had cost, to date, ,£172. There was a sum of ,£200 inhand, and as promises were numerous, there could be no reasonable doubt as to success. The appeal tothe " Dissenting Brethren " must have been attended with some productive results, for this resolution waspassed by the meeting, viz.: — " That our thanks are gratefully offered to the esteemed individuals of otherpersuasions, who have so generously aided us in erecting a place to worship God, according to ourconscience; and we pledge ourselves to maintain to the uttermost of our power, the liberal Christian spiritwhich at present distinguishes the district of Port Phillip." Like the Rev. Mr. Grylls, Father Geoghegan"was of small stature," but no "stammer" detracted from his elocutionary powers, which wereconsiderable. H e was a round, chubby, natty little man, a perfect picture of health and cheerfulness, andthough most uncompromising in maintaining his rights and privileges, was as liberal-minded and tolerant ashe was kind-hearted and charitable. There never was in the colony so universal a favourite with all classes,and when he left to assume the responsibilities of the R o m a n Catholic Episcopate of Adelaide, it wasamidst feelings of general regret. As he is the only one of our early clergymen who subsequentlyobtained the highest ecclesiastical promotion, it may be interesting to give a few historical particulars ofhis career. H e was born in Dublin, and was a schoolfellow of that great lost star of the theatricalfirmament, the lamented G. V. Brooke. H e completed his education at Rome, and came out to Sydney in1837. After the arrival of Bishop'Goold, he officiated in Melbourne as Vicar-General and Vicar-Foran, andwas for some years pastor at Williamstown. In 1859, he was nominated Bishop of Adelaide, (S.A) and onthe 8th September consecrated as such at St. Francis' Church. Singular to say the city of his cradlebecame that of his grave, for, after all his wanderings in both hemispheres, he died in Dublin, afterundergoing a surgical operation, on the 4th June, 1864, and was buried there.Thefirstadvertised charity sermon preached in the colony was by Father Geoghegan, at 2 p.m., onSunday, 22nd December, 1839, w hen a collection was made towards the expense of enclosing the generalburial ground at Melbourne. A great inconvenience was felt by the congregation, inasmuch as there wasno bell to chime the hour for prayer, except a sheep-bell on which old Bodecin rang the changes in anastounding manner at the church door; and on the fact becoming known to Mr. R. H. Browne, ofHeidelberg, he generously presented one, and now there was a bell on the hill (St. James'), and one in theplain, the former being close to the then centre of population, and the other far away from it.In December, 1840, after afifteenmonths' stay, the Rev. Mr. Walshe left for Norfolk Island, andwas replaced by the Rev. M . Ryan. The Government had long since granted the land, and assigned thestipend as the momentous ^ 3 0 0 had been raised, and things began to brighten considerably, the mostwelcome event of all being an influx of immigrants from the South of Ireland, which not only helped toswell the Sunday attendances, but the collections as well. About this period also appeared in the youngsettlement one destined to take a prominent place amongst a generation of public men, who for abilityand patriotism, have certainly not been excelled since. This was Mr. (afterwards Sir) John O'Shanassy.H e was a host in helping the small Catholic community; he was the trusted friend and counsellor ofFather Geoghegan through struggles and difficulties of no ordinary nature, and no man, be he priest orbishop, ever served the church of which he was a worshipper, with more zeal or disinterestedness than hedid, at a time when such services were as rare as they were priceless.At the end of 1840, the position of the R o m a n Catholic Church was thus:—Pastor, Rev. P. B.Geoghegan; Pastor's Assistant, Rev. R. Walshe; Trustees, Right Rev. John Bede Pohlding, Rev. P. B.Geoghegan, and Alexander M'Killop, Esq.; Schoolmaster, Mr. John Lynch; Schoolmistress, Mrs. MaryLynch.In May, 1841, the Roman Catholics resident in the town of Melbourne and County of Bourke werereckoned at 2073. Plans and specifications having been prepared and approved, a contract entered into,and the 4th October was appointed for layingTHE FOUNDATION-STONE OF ST. FRANCIS' CHURCH.

The weather was tempestuous and threatening storm and rain. The attendance was large in

proportion to the population. Mass was said in the Provisional Church by the Rev. Mr. Ryan, after which

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he and Father Geoghegan blessed the stone, and proceeded with the necessary formalities. A prayerwas offered, and in the usual cavity was placed a hermetically-sealed bottle, containing several gold andsilver coins, and a parchment scroll, bearing two inscriptions in Latin and English, viz.:—Ecclesicz Sancto Francisco dicatce Lapidem primarium,PATRITIUS B O N A V E N T U R A G E O G H E G A N ,

have, domiciled in the inconvenient four-roomed brick cottage, then constituting the Presbytery of St. Francis',working unrestingly through both day and night, and given up body and soul in promoting the spiritualsalvation of his flock, would wonder h o w the small, spare, h u m a n machine could have physical endurancefor half the material and mental toil it passed through. Father Therry died at Balmain (N.S.W.), in 1864.THE DEPARTURE OF FATHER GEOGHEGAN

Was regarded with regret by the Roman Catholics, as well as by many members of other denominations, andaccordingly on the 2nd October, 1846, a public meeting was held at the school-room, on the church ground,to express' sorrow at his leaving, and adopt the necessary means for presenting him with an address andtestimonial. 'Phis gathering was presided over by Mr. Moor, a late Mayor, and more than ,£100 subscribedinstanter. T h e 4th October, the anniversary of the foundation of St. Francis', was to be Mr. Geoghegan'slast appearance. High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Mr. Cotham, from Launceston, then visitingMelbourne, acting as High Priest, with the Revs. Messrs. Geoghegan and Therry assisting. FatherGeoghegan's parting sermon was an effusion of pathetic oratory rarely to be listened to. In the course ofan eloquent peroration, the preacher exclaimed in broken utterances—"There m a y have occurred betweenmyself and some individuals of m yflock,occasional differences. In the nature of circ*mstances such mustat times occur. Some, perhaps, I m a y have vexed or offended; of them, I n o w humbly beseech pardon.But one thing I can from m y heart most solemnly declare, that no sun ever went d o w n upon m e an enemyto anyone." There was a loud sobbing response from all quarters of the building, and the profound emotionwas only checked, as the preacher concluded, by the loud voice of the Celebrant, chanting the DominusVobiscum, which recalled the attention of the congregation to the resumption of the solemn ceremonythey were engaged in. O n the 22nd October, a complimentary address with a viaticum of 200 sovereignswas presented to Mr. Geoghegan as a mark of respect, not confined merely to R o m a n Catholics, butincluding the signatures and donations of a number of the best known and most trusted members of theother religious communities. T h e Rev. Mr. Therry returned to Sydney in April, 1847, prior to whichhe received an address and testimonial from the Father Matthew Total Abstinence Society, of whichhe was Patron, and a staunch supporter.Father Geoghegan in due time returned (March, 1851), resumed his charge, and m a d e an excursionof some weeks' duration through the Western District, where he was bit by a dog one day, but returnedwith a solatium of ,£250, netted during the trip. H e had not been back long, when his equanimity wasdisturbed by a cry of his Church in danger, and, on examination, it was discovered to be more than a mereempty voice. At this time, Elizabeth Street, from the Post Office northwards, was suffered by theCorporation, to subside into a shocking state of impassability. A large rut ran along from the intersectionof Lonsdale Street on the Eastern side by the Church paling. There was no footway, the chasm was dailywidening its yawn by the friction of the storm-water, and as St. Francis' was not literally built upon a rock,it was feared that the ravine would go on broadening until it undermined the Western wall of the edifice, andthere would be a considerable smash. T h e T o w n Council was appealed to on the subject, and it requiredm u c h urging to compel that often dilatory and frequently capricious body to do its duty, which, after a timeand with not the best grace, was unwillingly done.S o m e miscellaneous incidents of interest have now to be recorded. Father Kenny, stationed inGeelong, was making great exertions towards advancing his new Church, and Mr. James Atkinson gave achurch site at Belfast, and added £ 1 0 0 towards the building. T h e Rev. John Kavanagh was sent toPortland, and the Rev. Dean Coffey arrived from Sydney to assist Geoghegan, n o w holding rank as a VicarGeneral. Dean Coffey was an Irish priest, the very opposite of Geoghegan in size and general physique,with a tongue that distilled brogue of such a soft creamy flavour that it was like listening to Irish music tohear him speak. Gifted with neither the culture nor diplomatic ability of his chief, he had all his zeal,sincerity, and bonhommie. H e rendered invaluable service to the mission, until after the elevation of thediocese to the dignity of a bishopric, and when he went back to his humble country parish in N e w SouthWales, (1850) he did so amidst a general feeling of regret and respect, and with a couple of hundredsovereigns as a parting remembrance, in his purse. THE

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There is one reminiscence arising out of the early history of the church in Port Phillip, i.e. the freehandedness with which the followers of one creed helped to put up a place of worship for a differentdenomination, and this was especially noticeable as regarded the Episcopalians towards their less numerousand less wealthy fellow-colonists—the R o m a n Catholics. Another m a y be adduced by the first R o m a nCatholic Church at Brighton, the site for which was given by Mr. J. B. Were, and the buildingfunds were largely helped by the contributions of local residents professing creeds different fromCatholicity. O n the 30th April, 1847, the Brighton Catholic Chapel was completed, and opened by Massfrom Dean Coffey, and ,£10 4s. 6d. collected. In connection with this event it would be unfair to omit then a m e of Richard Martin, a queer old market-gardener of Little Brighton, to whose unceasing exertions inmoney-hunting, m u c h of the early success of the movement m a y be justly attributed.For some time exertions had been m a d e towards the erection of a second temple of the Catholicreligion in the eastern part of the town of Melbourne, and the requisite ,£300 (which included ^ 1 4 ios.contributed by the T o w n Police) being raised, an application was m a d e to the Executive for a suitable site,and in July, 1848, it was notified that two acres of land had been assigned for the purpose. This land wassituated on the northern verge of what was k n o w n as the Eastern Hill, and a newspaper of the timedescribes the locale as "being in a picturesque position on a line with Collins Street, between St. Peter's anda Government paddock" (the n o w Fitzroy Gardens). Melbourne was to be divided into two parishes, withSwanston-street as the boundary line. A second school was to be established, and Dean Coffey, it wasanticipated, would be the pastor of the n e w district. Matters were thus progressing until theARRIVAL OF THE FIRST BISHOP.

For a year or so, rumours, authorised to a certain extent, were in circulation that it was the intentionof the Supreme Pontiff to appoint a Bishop to the n o w important Province of Port Phillip. M u c h curiositywas evinced as to the selection by the Court of R o m e , and the following names were mentioned, from whichthe new Prelate would be chosen, viz.:—The Very Revs. P. B. Geoghegan, Dr. Gregory (of Sydney), DeanGoold (of Campbelltown, N.S.W.), and the Rev. M r . Turner (Sydney). Father Geoghegan wasunquestionably the local favourite, and possessed the strongest claims both on the score of past services,ability, and undisputed eligibility for the high office. W e r e betting allowable in such a case, the oddswould be as 50 to 1 on him against thefield;but the end showed thefieldersto be gainers, as the winner,though certainly in the running, took m a n y by surprise. In February, 1848, official advices from Sydneyannounced the appointment of the Very Rev. James Alipius Goold as R o m a n Catholic Bishop ofMelbourne.There was m u c h disappointment, and there were not wanting persons to openly expresstheir disapprobation, not at the personnel of the selection, but because, as they believed, the best m a nhad been passed over. T h e discontent soon melted away, and there was a general acquiescence in thechoice made, because nothing else could be done than to yield a dutiful obedience to the behests ofthe Holy See, and M r . Geoghegan himself was thefirstto inculcate it. There was always an unexplainedmystery attending the elevation of Dean Goold to the Episcopacy. S o m e power had been at work,to the outside world invisible, and it was never clearly ascertained why Father Geoghegan was shelved.I enjoyed the privilege of his personal friendship, and know for a certainty that he had been led tobelieve, from sources on which the utmost reliance could be placed, that he was designed as thefirstBishop.Archdeacon Pohlding was the main contributory to the result arrived at, and it was alleged on hisbehalf that his recommendation of Dean Goold had been occasioned by His Grace, when in England,having had intimation from Australia that Father Geoghegan had resigned his pastoral charge at PortPhillip and intended withdrawing altogether from the Australian Mission. All that can be written ofthe matter n o w is that a possible misconception on the part of the Archbishop induced him to act as heThe Right Rev. Dr. Goold was consecrated in St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on the 6th August,1848 (the Feast of the'Configuration), by Archbishop Pohlding, assisted by Bishop Murphy, w h o travelledfrom Adelaide via Melbourne for the purpose. After a brief return to Campbelltown, to bid his old flockfarewell the new Prelate started overland for Melbourne, accompanied by four clergymen. H e travelled m 114

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his o w n carriage with four horses, and recent heavy rains rendered it a matter of uncertainty when he wouldarrive at his destination. T h e Rev. M r . Geoghegan left Melbourne, intending to meet the Bishop atAlbury; but Dr. Goold's travelling was so quick that Mr. Geoghegan had not proceeded further thanSeymour when the Bishop drove into that township. This was on the ist October, and arrangements wereat once m a d e by which the party would arrive in Melbourne on the 4th. Meanwhile there were activepreparations in town to accord His Lordship a befitting reception, and at 9 o'clock of the eventful morning,a cavalcade (if the term will apply to harnessed as well as saddled horses) started from St. Francis' to meetthe Bishop and escort him back. 'Phis demonstration consisted of about thirty vehicles (gigs and buggies)and fifty horsem*n. A w a y they went, in high good humour, along the Sydney Road, and on nearingSomerton (some sixteen miles distant) they descried the Bishop's carriage approaching. His Lordship, w h opassed the night at Kinlochewe, resumed his journey after breakfast, and this is h o w the meeting occurredso near town. In the hamlet of Somerton Dr. Goold got thefirstsight of a contingent of his newflock, from w h o m he received a cordial and respectful welcome, and a procession was immediately formed—equestrians in front, Episcopal vehicle in centre, and the other conveyances forming a rear-guard, in whichorder of march, or rather, gallop, they dashed on to Melbourne. Every mile passed brought in acquisitionsto the flying procession, so that by the time it passed through Brunswick, the mounted m e n numbered ahundred, and the vehicles fifty. O n reaching the point of the town n o w corresponding with the intersectionof Victoria and Swanston streets, an immense crowd of pedestrians let off such a ringing, warm-heatedsalvo of cheering as has not been surpassed in Melbourne since, after which the faces and feet of themultitude, bipeds and quadrupeds, were directed towards St. Francis', opposite which, in Lonsdale Street,a general halt was called about 3 p.m. His Lordship then alighted from his carriage, and after a few wordsof thanks for the kind reception given him, entered the church, and, pronouncing a benediction, thepeople quickly dispersed. Dr. Goold was at this time a young m a n , the youngest m e m b e r of the Episcopacyon record, for, born on the 4th November, 1812, he was then not quite thirty-six years old. H e didnot look in any way the worse after his long and toilsome travel, for as he stepped lightly on the ground, hepresented quite a picture of health and spirits, with a round, good-humoured face, such as a painterwould design for a full-grown cherub. H e had reputedly a high character for piety, learning and humilityattributes afterwards well tested in Melbourne, where his presence for more than as m a n y years as histhen age has afforded an ample opportunity for judging whether the good qualities with which he wascredited were exaggerated or not. It is a remarkable coincidence that his advent at St. Francis' wasthe seventh anniversary of the laying of its foundation by Father Geoghegan. Dr. Goold was the firstto make the overland trip from Sydney to Melbourne in a coach and four. H e was nineteen days on thejourney, but travelled onlyfifteen,and so averaging forty miles per diem. Very slow going, no doubt,compared with the locomotion of our n o w North-eastern railway; but, in consequence of the state ofthe roads, or rather, the bush tracks, the only thoroughfares of the era of which I a m writing, a morepractically marvellous feat of transit than the far-famed boast of Daniel O'Connell's drive of a coach and sixthrough an Act of Parliament.T h e Bishop's horses were placed in comfortable quarters at the" Repository " of a Mr. Quinan, w h o kept livery stables in the neighbourhood of the church. But no smallshare of the kudos of this expedition was fairly due to its conductor, M r . Charles Kippen, w h o musthave tooled his four-in-hand team with exquisite skill to avoid the perils of ruts and ravines, boulders andstumps, creeks, swamps, and rivers on the route. This ancient Jehu was then aged 62. H e was anold Campbelltown follower of Dr. Goold, and, if there were two people in or out of the world in w h o mhe thoroughly believed, they were Dr. Goold and St. Patrick. In less than two years after old Charliequietly passed out of this life at St. Frances' Presbytery, and, as he died on St. Patrick's Day (17th March,1850), there were not a few people w h o had the simplicity to believe that his Patron Saint had something todo in removing the veteran whip from this wicked world. T h e Bishop's carriage, though it stood the wearand tear of the 600 miles' pulling remarkably well, was considerably knocked about, and was forthwithconsigned for a general overhaul to a coach factory in Queen Street, kept by Messrs. Liddy and Passfield.T h e Bishop's installation took place on Sunday, 8th October, 1848, in the presence of the largestcongregation ever to that time assembled in a place of worship in Melbourne. 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made his appearance in full canonicals, attended by Dean Coffey, arrayed in a cope of crimson velvet.Mass was said by His Lordship, and an appropriate sermon preached by Dr. Geoghegan, after which heformally introduced the Bishop to hisflock,and was pleased to style him " T h efirstPontiff of AustraliaFelix." 1 he Vicar-General then fervently prayed that a long line of Bishops may succeed the present one,and that good works m a y result from his Lordship's appointment; in order to achieve which, he besoughtof all Catholics to pay strict obedience to the Church. T h e new Bishop looked remarkably well, andappeared deeply impressed by the responsibilities of his exalted position.A s an evidence of the courtesy with which Dr. Goold was received by distinguished persons odifferent religious communions, one of thefirstto call upon him was Mr. Justice A'Beckett. O n the 15thOctober, the Bishop preached for thefirsttime in his diocese at St. Francis', and made a very favourableimpression. At the conclusion of the service he announced his commission to declare that Dr. Geogheganhad the approval of the Archbishop for the manner in which he had hitherto administered the affairs of themission in the district.T h e Rev. M r . Stevens returned to the province in a few days, rejoined the mission, and was locatedat Belfast.THE VICAR-GENERAL.

On the 6th November, the "Shamrock," steamer, arrived from Sydney, bringing amongst itspassengers the Rev. John Fitzpatrick. H e was to have accompanied the Bishop, but a day or two beforethe latter left, he was indulging in a little equestrian exercise, and whether his horsemanship was notequal to the occasion, or the animal he bestrode was too "fast" for him, the reverend rider was "bucked"out of the pigskin, and sustained an injury to one of his knees, which necessitated the postponement of hisdeparture. T h e Rev. John Fitzpatrick is the Dr. Fitzpatrick—the "old Fitz," who has become so wellknown and respected from that day to this. H e is one of the identities, who, once seen in the streets, isnever forgotten. Like a certain well-known politician, he never ventures abroad in any weather, wet or dry,day or night, without his umbrella; and those who are familiar with his habits aver that by the position inwhich he carries this sheltering machine, the state of his mental atmosphere may be diagnosed as unerringlyas a barometer acts as a weather gauge. Dr. Fitzpatrick was at once appointed to St. Francis', betweenwhich place and St. Patrick's he has gravitated ever since, performing the part of a good priest and a goodcitizen. But it is in connection with that noble pile of ecclesiastical architecture on the Eastern Hill, slowlycreeping upwards, that his n a m e will go down to posterity. Were it not for him it would n o w have noexistence, and if historical justice is to be done, his n a m e "will be, per omnia secula, associated with thefortunes of the R o m a n Catholic Cathedral of St. Patrick, a structure which, whenfinished,will be such anornament to the city as to make every true Melbournian proud of it, no matter before what altar he m a ykneel.Towards the end of the year several clerical changes were made, viz, the Rev. Mr. Kenny leftGeelong, and was presented with a purse containing ,£30, and the Rev. Mr. Stevens was sent to Belfast.The Rev. Mr. Kavanagh was one day in wet weather riding with the postman in the Portland district, andin crossing a river was nearly drowned. H e was soon after transferred to Gippsland. In December anorgan was procured by the Bishop for St. Francis'.In the year 1849, the shingled roof of St. Francis' was replaced by slates; and on 7th January therewas a High Mass celebration, conducted by Dean Coffey, with the Revs. Fitzpatrick and O'Connell. T h elast named gentleman was on his way to his birthplace, Hobartown, and he was, what might be termedthefirstAustralian Native ordained for the priesthood.THE CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.

After Bishop Goold's arrival it became apparent that there was an insufficiency of clergymen, and itwas determined to organise a society for the three-fold purpose of—(a) obtaining priests from the h o m ecountry; (b) the erection of suitable places of worship, and (c) the promotion of Catholic Education inAustralia Felix. T o give effect to this intention there was a public meeting at St. Francis' on the 25th 14G

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January, 1849, which the Bishop, the resident clergy, and a large number of the laity attended. HisLordship presided, and effective addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Dr. Geoghegan, D e a n Coffey,Rev. Mr. Kavanagh, Messrs. J. O'Shanassy, and E. Westby. T h e Catholic Association was formed for thepurpose of raising funds for the passages of clergymen from Europe and otherwise, and to secure theadvancement of the Catholic religion and Catholic teaching by every practicable mode. A s a beginning,the s u m of ,£60 was paid d o w n on the spot. A branch association was soon after started at Geelong.Dr. Goold, like Dr. Perry, wrorked hard in the early times, and did not allow himself m a n y " hours ofidleness." At a time when bush travelling was the reverse of what it is now, they used to m a k e lengthenedtrips through all quarters of the colony in their efforts to propagate the faith in which each truly believed,and for which each worked hard. Bishop Goold, in February, started on an Episcopal tour of the WesternDistrict. O n his return to Melbourne it was announced that Dr. Geoghegan would be commissioned as thedelegate of the Catholic Association to Europe, where, by means of the funds n o w subscribed, he would beenabled to realize an instalment of the purposes so m u c h desired. H e left accordingly in the early part ofMarch 1849 via Hobartown, and was accompanied to the wharf by a troop of sincere friends. T h e samemonth Kilmore received itsfirstresident pastor in a recently-arrived Rev. Mr. Clarke.T h e St. Francis' Seminary, to provide an education of a kind superior to that hitherto obtainable,was opened in M a y under the special patronage of the Bishop. T h e terms were very moderate, graduatingfrom £2 to £1 is. per quarter, with music as an extra at 10s.T h e Bishop held hisfirstconfirmation on Sunday, 27th May, and was assisted by Dean Coffey, withthe Revs. Fitzpatrick and Kavanagh. This was the second ceremony of the kind held in the province,Archbishop Pohlding having officiated at the first in 1844.POPE PIUS THE 9™Was in great tribulation through various causes in the year 1849, and, when intelligence of his reversesreached Melbourne, active steps were taken to contribute some expression of practical sympathy from theR o m a n Catholics of Port Phillip. A collection was m a d e throughout the diocese, and, on the 12th August,the presentation was transmitted through the ordinary official channel. It consisted of an address from theBishop, clergy, and laity, accompanied by a s u m of money subscribed towards "relieving His Holiness fromany difficulties in which he might be involved, by his departure from the ' City of the Pontiffs.'" Thedocument concluded thus:" M a y G o d in His goodness grant that long ere this respectful assurance of the love andfidelityofyour children in this remote dependency is submitted for your acceptance, Your Holiness m a y enjoy theblessing so fervently asked in your behalf, by the Catholic world prostrate in prayer, for the recovery of yourthrone, and for the affections of the people you fondly love."In August, 1850, a communication was received from the Pope conveying his warmest thanks for thetribute of sympathy from so distant a part of the world.Banns for the marrying of 15 couples were called at St. Francis', on Sunday, 13th January,1850, which was noticed by one of the newspapers as ominous of the advancement of the colony;and in February, the Rev. Mr. Kavanagh resigned the mission to return to Ireland. T h e church ofGeelong was the scene of an atrocious outrage on the night of the 14th February, when some villains effecteda felonious entry and stole a quantity of valuable property. In the building was a strongly-made cupboard,as a receptacle for a safe, containing a silver chalice, pyx, and communion cup. T h e safe was removedand found next day, broke open and empty, in one of the foundations being sunk for the erection of a newgaol. N o n e of the valuables were ever recovered, and no trace ever had of the robbers.It has been already stated that a most suitable site in the Eastern quarter of Melbourne had beenobtained from the Government for a second place of worship. This was no sooner known than a sectionof the City Council, more bigoted than patriotic, objected that the course decided on by the Executivewould be a serious injury to the city, as it would block up the continuation of Bourke Street, and interferematerially with the municipal intentions of a prolongation of streets eastward. T h e R o m a n Catholics, ofcourse, resisted what they believed to be a most unwarrantable interference between them and the THE

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Government. The land was promised, and the Governor's word should be his bond, &c. The controversyraged for some time, and fuller details will be found in the Corporation Chapter of this work. Suffice ithere to say that the opposition, almost universally ascribed to purely factious motives, failed, owing to thefirmness of Mr. Latrobe, the exertions of Dean Coffey and Mr. O'Shanassy, and the valuable co-operationof Alderman Greeves. It is to this quartette that the R o m a n Catholics owe the fact of St. Patrick'sCathedral being now where it is, and, living or dead, their names should be held in permanent remembrancefor the services so ably rendered, though so long ago. Preparations were pressed on to make acommencement of the proposed new building, and at length the day was fixed for the ceremony, theFOUNDATION STONE OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH

Being laid on the 9th April, by Dr. Goold, assisted by Dr. Fitzpatrick (now a Dean), Dean Coffey, theRevs. Messrs. Downing and Clarke, Messrs. Jackson (the architect), O'Shanassy and others. This was themost spectacular exhibition of the kind that has yet taken place. A n application to the St. Patrick's Society forthe use of its banners (though that institution had no connection with any religious denomination), wasacceded to. There was a Father Matthew Society then in existence, which had an efficient band, and bythese means the colours might be said to have been obtained by the intervention of thefirst,and the musicsupplied by the second, apostle of Ireland. T h e weather showed most unmistakable symptoms of badhumour, but the sulks and tears disappeared towards noon. A large tent, or marquee, was pitched on theground, near the stone, and the Hibernian streamers were placed to much advantage. A large banner ofgreen and gold, representing St. Patrick converting the Irish kings on the hill of Tara, was spread out, likean eagle on open wing, over the place to be occupied by the Bishop: a beautiful harp-flagflutteredfrom astaff on his right, and a life-sizefigureof the Saint nodded and waved its head in approval over the entranceto the marquee. The ensigns of the Father Matthew Society were posted at intervals, in the company of asquadron of Union Jacks, borrowed from some of the ship-captains in port. The Temperance banddiscoursed creditably enough some popular Irish airs, and the Father Matthewites, arrayed in whitesilk scarves and rosettes, marched up at quick step, trying to keep time to that entrancing, time-honouredIrish melody, Garryowen. T h e children attending the R o m a n Catholic schools were there in hundreds.In the midst of more than two thousand persons the ceremony was performed after the prescribed ritual.There was the conventional cavity in the stone, in which a sealed bottle was buried, but not before therewas placed inside of it a strip of vellum, bearing a Latin inscription, thus anglicised:—THE

F O U N D A T I O N S T O N E O F ST. PATRICK'S CHURCPI, M E L B O U R N E ,

Was laid by His LORDSHIP, T H E CATHOLIC BISHOP OF M E L B O U R N E ,O n the 9th day of April, 1850.PIUS T H E 9TH being Supreme Pontiff: V I C T O R I A being Queen of England: C H A R L E S A. FITZROY, Governor of AustraliaFelix: C H A R L E S J. L A T R O B E , Superintendent of Port Phillip: S A M U E L J A C K S O N , Architect.

A prayer was invoked upon the day's work, and after an appropriate address from the Bishop, aprocession was formed, and proceeded round the trenches sunk for the wall-foundations, coming back to thestone, upon which the Bishop placed a purse, enclosing a liberal personal donation for the Building Fund.This example seemed to have an electric effect, for it was followed by a small hillock of cash, representing,for the time, the large sum of ,£170. T h e plan of the church had been altered from the original design,which was prepared in conformity with the cruciform style prevalent in Catholic churches, such as St.Francis'. In this case the edifice was to be a square building. It was in an advanced state when the golddiscoveries of 1851, not only retarded, but temporarily stopped, every public work in the colony. In duetime it wasfinished,opened, and used, until the period arrived when it was forced to make way for thecathedral now in course of erection.In little more than two months another church was founded, viz, at Pentndge (now Coburg), anddedicated to St. Paul. This ceremony took place on the 30th June, 1850, and was attended by the FatherMatthew Society, with regalia and band. T h e church is n o w under the shadow of the huge PenalEstablishment, the nucleus of which, a dozen wooden sheds, might be seen at that day, in course oferection, a short distance off in the bush. At u a.m. a procession was formed, led by the Father Matthew 148

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Band playing sacred music, and closed by the Bishop and his attendants. After making a circuit of thechurch ground, and returning to the starting point, the stone wTas laid with the customary formalities.U p o n it the Bishop placed a purse containing the donation of a lady, and those present subscribed ,£70A n adjournment was then m a d e to an adjacent marquee, where mass was celebrated, and a sermon preachedby his Lordship, after which the band outside gave the National Anthem, followed by " St. Patrick's Day."T h e Rev. P. Dunn, a new arrival, had been recently inducted as pastor of Pentridge, where he was soonsucceeded by the Rev. C. A. O'Hea, w h o continued his ministration there for some time. H e is nowDean O'Hea, and has always been a painstaking, indefatigable clergyman, and, what cannot be said of allhis order, has been ever held in high esteem by such of the Dissenting denominations as were resident in hisextensive district. During this interim the important business for which Dr. Geoghegan had gone home,showed some of the results of his priest-hunting expedition. Amongst thefirstarrivals were the Rev. G.A. W a r d (practically the founder of the R o m a n Catholic Orphanage at Emerald Hill), P. Dunn, M'Sweeney,and Holohan. They were followed by a shoal of others in the early part of the next year, to w h o m furtherreference will be made.THE BELLS OF ST. FRANCIS'.

In some way or other originated a notion that it would be a very agreeable and useful acquisitionto St. Francis' to be surmounted by a peal of bells, and steps were taken to m a k e it a reality. Of course, asubscription list, the only true talisman in such a case, was started, and contributions and promises wereabundant. T o give public sanction to the proceeding, a meeting was convened for the evening of Sunday,26th January, 1851, at St. Francis'. T h e Bishop was in the chair. There was a good attendance, and theoccasion was turned into quite a musical event by the presence of Mr. H e m y , a newly-arrived musician fromSydney, a performer of considerable merit, and the new organist of the church. By means of the thenchoir, and the aid of a couple of amateur friends, the following programme was got through to the greatdelight of those present, and the benefit of the bell fund:—" List to the Chimes of the Vesper Bell," " T h eVesper H y m n , " " T h e Old Abbey Tower," " A l m a Redemptoris," "England in the Olden Time," and " A nO d e to Pope Pius the 9th, as sung by the Romans." T h e Bishop did the greater part of the speaking,italicising his oratory with a cheque for ,£5; £ 1 0 0 was paid down, and the cost of the bells was estimatedat ,£700. This appeal for a peal of bells was carried out with m u c h spirit, and responded to with suchringing readiness, that the sum total of the coin required soon jingled in the Bishop's cash box. HisLordship, on his departure for Europe (which soon followed), took h o m e both the money and the order;and the bells subsequently purchased, were procured from Murphy, an eminent bell-founder, in Dublin, andformed an exhibit at the great show of All Nations, inaugurated by Prince Albert, in London, in 1851. Indue course the bells were transported to their destination, though never placed in the church, for which itwas originally intended; for it came to pass that St. Francis, by a verification of the frequently applied adageof sic vos non vobis, was deprived of the chimes purchased for his delectation, and St. Patrick finallymonopolised all the honour and glory of the campanology, whose chimes are n o w diffused from theEastern Hill.In March, 1851, another instalment of new priests arrived from home, and with them returned Dr.Geoghegan in charge. Their arrival was a source of m u c h satisfaction, and afforded strong testimony of theefficiency of the Catholic Association in procuring funds for what must have been a considerable outlay.T h e new comers were the Rev. Messrs. Bleasedale, Martin, and Stack, and others were under sailing ordersto follow. T h e Rev. Mr. Stack was sent to Belfast, as a colleague to the Rev. Slattery, whilst Messrs. Martinand Holohan were assigned to Gippsland, and W a r d to Geelong. O n the 21st April the foundation of theChurch of St. Monica was laid at Heidelberg, where mass used to be for some time previous offered in asmall wooden shed. T h e R o m a n Catholics of the locality behaved very liberally considering their means,but they were helped in a most praiseworthy manner by their more wealthy Protestant neighbours.T h e return of Dr. Geoghegan afforded the Bishop an opportunity to visit the H o m e Country.Though Dr. Geoghegan's trip to Europe had been very successful, it was considered that the Bishop's visitto R o m e and Ireland would give a prominence to the R o m a n Catholic Mission in Victoria, which it would THE

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take a long time to otherwise attain; it was therefore resolved that go he should, and with him Dr. Fitzpatrick as a clerical fidus Achates. O f course, upon such an eventful occasion an address and a testimonialwere indispensable, and it did not take m u c h time to get them up. It was also arranged that the Bishopshould take a public farewell of his people, and as Dr. Geoghegan had not yet, since his return, m a d e anypublic appearance outside the strict routine of his sacerdotal duties, it was happily contrived that the EasterSunday Meeting of the Catholic Association should perform a dual function," T o welcome the coming, speed the parting guest,"

by receiving the one Doctor and wishing the other good-bye. It is no exaggeration to say that St. Francis'was never more crowded that on this noteful evening of the 20th April, and the addresses of the two"guests " were all that could be desired, making some allowance for a difference in the quality and texture ofthe articles. Dr. Geoghegan gave a graphic and lucid narrative of his wanderings by sea and land, whilstDr. Goold was very profuse in his compliments as to the manner in which his Agent-General had acquittedhimself of his by no means easy task. T h e funds of the Society benefited to the extent of ,£50 by theevening's gathering. T h e Bishop started on his homeward-bound trip per " S h a m r o c k " steamer to Sydneyon the 23rd April 1851, and Dr. Geoghegan settled d o w n to the business of the Mission.A n event of an amusingly interesting character, took place at a meeting of the Catholic Associationon the 18th M a y . T h e several priests w h o had recently arrived had not been yet collectively introduced tothe R o m a n Catholic community; and Dr. Geoghegan, w h o was a master of the art of producing effects, anda believer in them to a certain extent, availed himself of this opportunity of holding a species of publicreception, at which a mutual presentation of priests and people might be made. T h e " new c h u m s " wereaccordingly mustered in full force, and trotted out in style, something after the fashion of the Horse-Parades,and their various good points dilated upon by their conductor with all the good humour and unction of apopular auctioneer. T h e experiment was a vast success, the spectators enjoyed the performance immensely,and the collection plates, the inevitable sequel, were heaped with money, from the ragged bank-note to theshabby little three-penny bit. T h efirstof the novelties submitted to inspection was the gentleman afterwardsso universally k n o w n as Dr. Bleasedale, blushing like a peony, and looking as bashful as one of those affianceddamsels depicted in Moore's Oriental romance as taking " a last look in her mirror" on the eve of hernuptials. H e was introduced by Dr. Geoghegan "as a Catholic clergyman w h o had lately c o m e amongstt h e m — a Saxon, but who, in the words of that eminent bishop (Dr. Ullathorne), at whose instance he (Dr.Geoghegan) had been induced to visit the colonies, as applied to himself—was an Irishman born inEngland"—whereat the individual so eulogised m a d e a profound obeisance, and declared "that though notan Irishman, he might adopt a phrase he heard used in his o w n country, and say he was an Irishman's firstcousin." T h e Rev. P. D u n n was next led forth, a good-looking, simple-faced young m a n , and he wasticketed by Dr. Geoghegan as the " Benjamin of his choice." T h e Rev. M . Stack followed, fresh fromthat remote corner of Old Ireland, the ancient kingdom of Kerry, famed alike for hardy men, winsomew o m e n , little cows, and the most delicious mutton in the world.In the course of a couple of months, Melbourne was visited by the Rev. Dr. Hall, the Vicar-Generalof Hobartown, long remembered through a couple of magnificent sermons which he preached. For sometime there had been a vague notion of establishing a Religious Order of Monks, and in November, 1851,Dr. Geoghegan notified that the Bishop had given his special sanction and encouragement to theestablishment of a monastery to be called " Hippo," on a section of land at the Deep Creek, some five-andtwenty miles from town, purchased for the purpose "and partly paid for by pious alms;" but one-half themoney was still owing, and to aid in securing this M r . P. J. Cregin volunteered his services as a collector.This " H i p p o " affair turned out afiasco;it was forgotten during the gold-fielding complications, and soonsank into complete oblivion.THE

INTRODUCTION OF T H E P R A Y E R QUESTION

In the first Legislative Council, produced a controversy bitter and bad-tempered, and it was naturally to beexpected that it would extend to the Catholic Association. This it did, and an uncompromisingly trenchantaddress delivered there by Dr. Geoghegan led to an acrimonious warfare between him and the DailyNews and Herald Newspapers. T h e former journal never affected m u c h interest for the R o m a n Catholics, 15o

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but the latter assumed the part of a quasi friend, though always a hollow and insincere one. Mr. Cavanagh,the proprietor and nominal editor of the Herald, was essentially a " trimmer," w h o set the sails of hisjournal to catch any wind that paid best; and though he cared not a doit about the Catholics, and theythoroughly distrusted him, so matters went on very well for years, through a weak bond of mutual interest—for his paper in a small way served their purpose, and they (because they could not do better) accorded tothe Herald a certain amount of support. O n the one side it was a kind of " Hobson's choice," and on theother a mere commercial consideration. It was now, however, an open feud; the gauntlets were thrown down,and Dr. Geoghegan pitched into the two offending newspapers, which, for once, buried their o w n personalhatreds, and retaliated in a combined attack. T h e Association moved on to the front to sustain its founder,for which purpose a special meeting was held on the 28th December, where Dr. Geoghegan's views wereemphatically endorsed, and a resolution passed expressing the deepest indignation at the Herald and DailyNews "distorting the real sentiments declared by our beloved and venerable pastor, the Very Reverend theVicar-General, and assailing his personal and official character with unmerited vituperation;" and offeringan "earnest tribute of our warmest sympathy, heart-felt attachment, and undivided co-operation, in testimonyof our admiration of his zeal and earnestness in the cause of truth and liberty." A committee was alsoappointed to take steps to secure " a more impartial means of asserting our just share in the civil andreligious immunities of the colony." T h e storm so raised died out as harmlessly as m a n y another gale hasdone, a result m u c h assisted, no doubt, by the rejection by the Legislative Council of a propositionutterly needless and unserviceable.In the beginning of the year, 1852, it was announced that letters had been received from theBishop communicating the welcome tidings that his Lordship and Dr. Fitzpatrick, after an enjoyablepassage, had arrived at Southampton on the 19th August; that the Bishop was on the point of starting forIreland, where hisfirstact in Dublin would be to order the bells for St. Francis', and after a brief stay inthe Green Isle, he would set out for R o m e .O n the 31st December, 1851, from a return furnished to the Government, there were only fiveR o m a n Catholic Churches in Port Phillip, estimated to hold 1720 persons, and usually attended by 1670.T h e census taken in March, 1851, gave the total Catholic population as 18,014, of w h o m 5631 were residentin Melbourne. Dr. Goold was created Archbishop of Melbourne on the 31st March, 1874, and remainedin the active administration of the Archiepiscopate of Victoria (in which there are n o w three dioceses, i.e.,Melbourne, Sandhurst, and Ballarat) until his death on the n t h June, 1886. There were, in 1881, inconnection with the R o m a n Catholic denomination of Victoria, 93 registered clergymen, 531 places ofworship, providing accommodation for 98,790 persons, with a usual attendance of 70,780, and an approximatenumber of yearly services of 48,638. T h e R o m a n Catholic population was some 215,500. Mr. Hayter'stables for 1886-7 give the following numbers:—Population, 232,849;* number of ministers, 129; numberof churches, 564—affording accommodation for 112,511 persons; uumber of services, 66,262; averageattendance, 85,816.T h e following notification, evidently authorised, appears in Kerr's Port Phillip Directory for 1842:—"There are no fees exacted in the R o m a n Catholic Church, excepting for burial, and these have neverbeen demanded or received in Melbourne. Marriage, as well as baptism, is considered a sacrament,and were a R o m a n Catholic clergyman to demand remuneration for the administration of any sacrament, hewould be held to have committed simony, and be punishable for that offence. It is customary for the flock,according to their goodwill and means to make presents or voluntary offerings on such occasions; but thereis no specific law in the Church affixing any fees. T h e return to the Government of fees received by theR o m a n Catholic chaplain of Melbourne has hitherto been "nil.

• Including Catholics not otherwise denned.