Registrar - Thomas a'Beckett Letter Book August 3 1880 - April 1 1881

Letter Book 123
Indexed - See attached file.

Letters include

- To The Revd. Canon MacCullagh ( John Christian ) - Herewith I forward the Certificate of Title of the Church Land which we have just obtained from the Registrar of Titles. I understand that it is required to prepare the conveyance of the portion agreed to be made over to Mr Bush. August 4 1880. Page 5.

- To W. Butterfield Esquire - At the meeting of the Cathedral erection Board held on the 27th ult. Mr Terry, the Diocesan Architect, attended and gave information respecting the progress you had made with the plans and also respecting the stone available for building... resolution passed:- 1. That Mr Terry be requested to send to Mr. Butterfield specimens of Pyrmont( Sydney ) and Grampian Stones, and inform him of the nature and probable cost thereof.. also methods and costs of cost of carriage from the quarries to Melbourne... 2. That in the event of Mr Butterfield recommending the adoption of the Prymont ( Sydney ) , it be adopted. 3. ..That Mr Butterfield be written to.. that he should send the whole of the plans and specifications to Melbourne on the understanding that he shall be paid his Commission from time to time as each contract of the work proceeds. 4. That Mr Butterfield be asked what percentage he will charge as commission... whether on the English or Colonial cost ... they have agreed to pay the resident Architect 3 percent for superintendence 5. ... Mr Butterfield .... if he will consent to receive payment of Commission on Contracts as he work proceeds the Board will be glad if he will forward the whole of the plans and specifications; but if not ... sent plans ... for the next contract. 6. That Mr Butterfield's attention be drawn to the West Transcript (facing Swanston Street) which the Board thinks will present to bare an appearance.. 7. That the use of Pyrmont stone instead of Waurn Ponds stone, be sanctioned.... another sample of Sydney Stone ( Mosman's Bay ) has been submitted... send you a sample with the others.... August 4 1880. Pages 7 - 8, 10. ( Attached ).

- To Reverend C. T. Perks ( Charles Thomas ) - By the Bishop's direction I return to you the accompanying letter of .. Watkins... You say that the "alteration" Watkins thinks will be made in the price will bring the cost to about the same as the Sydney stone... It would seem therefore that the Grampians stone would always cost much more... August 9 1880. Page 26.

- To Gustav Seyler Esquire ... Berlin S.W.... In compliance with your request I forward an impression of the seal of the Right Reverend James Moorhouse D.D. Anglican Bishop of Melbourne. He is the second Bishop, and was consecrated in Westminster Abbey in the year 1876. The first Bishop was ... Charles Perry... consecrated in Westminster Abbey in the year 1847... the Province of Victoria, was divided about equally , the Eastern half remaining with the Diocese of Melbourne, and the Western being created the Diocese of Ballaarat ( Ballarat ). The Right Reverend Samuel Thornton D.D. was consecrated first Bishop of Ballaarat in 1875. Bishop Thornton is of Oxford, Bishop Perry and Moorhouse are of Cambridge. There has only been one Dean of Melbourne, the Right Reverend Hussey Burgh Macartney D.D. of Trinity College Dublin who has lived in the Deanery for about thirty years. August 11 1880. Page 34.

- Boundaries of the Parochial District of Seymour. Pages 44 - 45.

- To Grant Walsh Esquire, Office of Victoria in 1880, 85 Swanston Street .... the Diocese of Melbourne comprising the Eastern half of the Colony of Victoria

Bishop - The Right Reverend James Moorhouse D.D. appointed 1876

Dean - The Very Reverend H. B. Macartney D.D. appointed 1851

Clergy - 103

Licensed Readers - 32

Honorary Readers - 107

Sunday School teachers - about 1800

Sunday School Scholars - about 22000

Annual expenditure of the Church - about 70,000 pounds

Churches and Licensed places of worship - about 300

Collegiate Institutions and Grammar Schools - Trinity College - University; Grammar School Melbourne and Geelong; St James and St Paul Grammar School Melbourne; All Saint's Grammar School St Kilda.

I have requested the architects ... Terry and Oakden to send you particulars about the Cathedral.

The name of the Church at South Yarra is Christchurch. It is seated for 650 but would hold many more.

The Church of England in Victoria carries on Missions to the Aborigines and Chinese in Victoria. We have two aboriginal Mission Stations each frequented by about 90 aborigines. There are five Chinese Missionary Districts. August 14 1880. Pages 47 - 48.

- To P. P. Labertouche Esquire, Powlett Street East Melbourne ... I am directed by the Bishop to write to the Reverend ..Bardin.. the Parish of Brunswick is now in the charge of a Clergyman who is doing the work satisfactorily ... no need to give up his extended leave... August 16 1880. Page 51.

- To The Reverend Dickinson ( Rivers Beachcroft ) - The Church of St. Barnabas in your parish does not appear to have been licensed. The Bishop requests ... send in the usual petition... August 17 1880. Page 65.

- To Mr Butterfield Esquire .. I send a copy of a letter from a friend in Sydney... With respect to the Mosman Bay stone the Bishop desires me to add that the enrichments of Wilson Hall, Melbourne are more elaborate than any of the work designed for our Cathedral... the stone appears to bear the treatment well. It has not however born the test of time. August 20 1880. Page 69. ( Attached ).

- To F. W. Uther Esquire, 348 George Street Sydney - Your letter about the stone came.. I placed it before the Cathedral Erection Board at a meeting held yesterday... I sent a copy to Mr Butterfield... August 20 1880. Page 73 ( Attached ).

- To Dr. W. H. Embling, Elwood - St Kilda... I beg to explain that the list of ladies published in the Church of England Messenger was sent in for publication before Mrs Embling had signified her willingness to collect for the Cathedral Fund. A supplementary list will be published in the next number of the paper in which not only Mrs Embling's name but a considerable number more, will be included. September 9 1880. Page 139. ( Attached ).

- To The Reverend C. T. Perks ( Charles Thomas ) - The Bishop was glad to see you at Bishopscourt .. with reference to a petition which has been addressed to him by the people connected with St. Matthias North Richmond to constitute a separate parish. September 10 1880. Page 145.

- To The Reverend Kane ... I send you half a dozen collecting cards for the Cathedral fund. I had already sent one to Mr Biddulph, who has signified his willingness to collect. Please send the names of the ladies to whom you give the cards, and their addresses, in order that I may register them. September 11 1880. Page 145. ( Attached ).

- To Mrs W. Howard Smith... St Kilda - In accordance with your kindly expressed willingness to collect for the Cathedral Fund, I forward a collecting card, and I will ask the other lady collectors to arrange with you about a district. September 11 1880. Page 146. ( Attached ).

- To Mrs Stretch, Milton Street St. Kilda - Mrs ... Smith ... collect for the Cathedral Fund if a district be assigned to her... will you kindly do this? September 11 1880. Page 148. ( Attached ).

- To Mr W. Butterfield Esquire - Your letter of the 30th July reached us today... The "instructions "to which you refer were at once given to the clerk of works... they were nailed up in his office and carefully observed. I have visited the works nearly every day... and I can testify to the very great care with which the foundations have been laid.... The " interior view of the Cathedral " ... has no official sanction, and the artist, who also produced the elevations of which I sent you copies ... must have evolved it from your own designs.. I am sorry that he invented what you had not planned, and so caused your displeasure.... September 30 1880. Page 152. ( Attached ).

- To The Venerable Archdeacon Stretch - The Bishop has supplied me with his m. s. of the speech which he would like to be published in the C/E newspaper.. He will be glad if the paper about the Cathedral can be published as proposed, but he does not like to make himself responsible for any statements but his own. September 15 1880. Page 156. ( Attached ).

- To W. G. Sprigg Esquire... The Council of the Diocese at its meeting yesterday that a lease of forty feet additional frontage to Collins Street be granted on the following terms ... Term 50 years.. Rent 200 pounds per annum.. erect a building on land according to the sketch plan .. by Terry and Oakden... the Parcel's Office ... built as substantially at with similar materials to those used in existing building... A party wall to be erected... September 18 1880. Pages 169 - 170.

- To The Diocesan Architect - A meeting of the Cathedral Erection Board is appointed to be held ... for the consideration of questions relating to the materials to be used in the construction of the Cathedral. Will you ... inform the Board of the probable cost if constructed in the manner designed by W. Butterfield and the cost of the same work if done wholly in freestone? Pyrmont or Mosman Bay... The Board will also desire to be informed of the cost of bringing stone from Sydney... October 5 1880. Page 224. ( Attached ).

- a meeting of the Cathedral Erection Board and of the Council of the Diocese to be held at this office ... The board will meet at 5 PM and the council immediately after.. the stone to be used in the construction of the Cathedral will be considered by the Board... October 5 1880. Page 225. ( Attached ).

- To Joseph Irving Esquire, Honorary Secretary Board of Guardians St Johns Church Footscray - The application for a loan of 300 pounds in aid of the erection of a Parsonage at Footscray will be submitted to the bishop in council on Monday next.... October 7 1880. Page 228.

- To Mrs Molloy and Mrs McLeod, Emerald Hill... you had kindly consented to collect for the Cathedral Fund.... October 12 1880. Page 240.... and Mrs Howard, Emerald Hill. Page 241. ( Page 240 Attached ).

- List of Churches licensed or consecrated in the Diocese of Ballaarat ( Ballarat ) on the 1st May 1875. ( Vide Sec: 1 Ballaarat Diocese Act 1873 ". Page 244.

- To Mr W. Butterfield Esquire, 4 Adam Street, Adelphi London - At a meeting of the Cathedral Erection Board held on Monday ... attention was directed at the extreme difficulty of Malmesbury stone of the sizes specified ... and also to the great expense... the Board arrived at the following resolution - That W. Butterfield be informed of the difficulty.. asked what course he would propose; Mr Terry will give you specific information with respect to the Malmesbury stone, and the difference of the cost of working in Prymont or other free stone; The Board are fully alive to the undesirableness of altering designs which have been approved...; ... the Board has decided to stop the existing contract on the completion of the first course of Malmesbury stone, which will probably be finished in about 6 weeks... the Board will be glad if you... communicate by telegraph the result of your deliberations. This through the kindness of friends here you can do for the small cost of ten shillings by requesting ... Parbury and Co. of 7 East India Avenue London .. to telegraph to ... James Henty and Co. of this city.... Should you feel altogether indisposed to modify your design , be good enough to use the code word "Cathedral "... if.. you think free stone in courses of different colours can be adopted... first two courses.. Pyrmont stone, please to telegraph the word "Registry ", or ... building wholly in freestone... use the word "Prymont "... the contribution to the work is not coming in ... as at one time ventured to hope. October 14 1880. Pages 252 - 254. ( Attached ).

- To The Reverend W. C. Ford ( William Charles ) .. The Bishop has requested to ask whether you have been able to arrange for the payment of the burial charges connected with the interment of the Reverend R. B. Bayne. October 30 1880. Page 277.

- To The Reverend J. H. Mullens ( Joseph Herbert ), South Yarra - The Bishop has instituted the Reverend H. F. Tucker ( Horace Finn ) of Elmore to the Incumbency of Christchurch, South Yarra on the nomination of the Board of Patronage.... November 5 1880. Page 292.

- To Charles Baker Esquire, South Terrace Collingwood ... the Bishop has this day constituted the Parish of St. Andrew Collingwood and has declared the boundaries.... November 5 1880. Page 295.

- To Mr A. S. Park Esquire, Geelong - The cemetery at West Geelong was consecrated on the 27 October 1859. I persume from your letter to Mr Morris that there have been additions to it which have remained unconsecrated... November 12 1880. Page 310.

- To The Reverend Canon Vance - On account of the almost total failure of attendance at the afternoon services at St Paul's, the bishop thinks it desirable that they should be discontinued... November 17 1880. Page 335. Also To Reverend Potter. Page 335. Archdeacon Stretch. Page 336. Reverend H. A. Langley. Page 338.

- To W. E King Esquire - As Honorary Treasurer of the Melbourne Cathedral fun it falls on me to collect the promised contributions .. much needed as the existing contract for laying in the foundations is all but completed and it is desirable a further contract be entered into to prevent the works from coming to a standstill... November 18 1880. Page 339. ( Attached ).

- To Mr. Butterfield Esquire.. At a meeting of the Melbourne Cathedral Erection Board held yesterday your letter of the 6th October was read and considered and the following resolutions were issued 1. .. agree with plan carrying on of the works, they wish... to be supplied with drawings.. 2. That Mr Butterfield be informed that a monthly report will be furnished to him of the progress of the works. 3... local architects be requested to send such reports. 4. That five per cent commission be sent to Mr. Butterfield on the declared value of his first contract, when obtained. 5. That the alteration of the design of the West transcript be approved. With respect to resolution 1... the stone... can be worked in more economically if the builders are in a position to judge of the requirements of the structure somewhat in advance of the portion then under construction. November 23 1880. Pages 353 - 354. ( Attached ).

- To .. Terry and Oakden.. I forward for your information and guidance the accompanying copy of the resolutions... of the Cathedral Erection Board... I have written to Mr Butterfield and to Mr Sutherland... November 23 1880. Page 355. ( Attached ).

- To Mr James H. Sutherland, 5 Murchinson Street Carlton.. considering the architect gave you an opportunity of withdrawing your tender.. you did not avail yourself of that opportunity, the Board do not see their way to comply with your application for the return of the forfeited deposit. November 23 1880. Page 356. ( Attached ).

- To The Reverend .. Bromby, St Paul's Parsonage, Melbourne .. you have recently solemnized a marriage in the Colony... you should have taken care that your name had been sent in by the Bishop to the Registrar General as a clergyman duly authorized to solemnize marriages... December 13 1880. Page 424.

- To My Lord - Cathedral Erection Board - Tuesday 28th December 3.45 PM - To consider urgent need of proceeding of first contract. Page 462. ( Attached ).

- To My Lord - Cathedral Chapter - Tuesday 28th December 4.15 PM - To advise on proposed rearrangement of Archdeaconries. Question of marriage by lay Ministers. December 23 1880. Page 464.

- To ... James Bishop of Melbourne deems it expedient to alter the boundaries of the Archdeaconries of Melbourne and Geelong and Castlemaine and Sandhurst within our Diocese and jurisdiction... Page 504.

- To The Very Reverend The Dean of Melbourne and Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Melbourne and Geelong - The Bishop directs me to inform you he desires you as Archdeacon of Melbourne and Geelong... January 10 1881. Page 505.

- To The Lord Bishop - I ( a'Beckett ) had an interview with the the Dean this morning and with the aid of a map settled the line of separation between the parochial district of Alexandra and that of Yea as described in the document sent herewith for your signature... March 15 1881. Pages 693 - 694.

- To Mr Butterfield... On my return to Melbourne after nearly three months absence on account of sickness I found your letters of the 11th and 25th November. I trust that they have received due attention, but if I find that they have not, I will endeavour to remedy any omission as speedily as possible. March 28 1881. Page 745. ( Attached ).