Registrar - Thomas a'Beckett Letter Book June 12 1885 - March 12 1886

Letter Book 131
Indexed - See attached file.

Letters include

- To The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Ballarat - I find that the telegraphic Company through which we communicated with England, and which I gather from your letter, had requested a method of communication between Mr Butterfield and yourself no longer exists. This probably accounts for you not hearing from Mr B. in reply to your cablegram... June 12 1885. Page 2. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To W. R Looker Esquire - In reply ... considered at a meeting of the Bishop in Council held yesterday, I beg to inform you that a loan of 400 pounds will be made in aid of the erection of the proposed parsonage at Oakleigh on the following conditions ... January 12 1885. Page 1.

- Informing unsuccessful candidates. June 13 1885. Page 8.

- To Miss E. Austin Honorary Secretary A. B. U. F. - I have the honour to inform you that the report of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bishop of Melbourne Fund which you were good enough to send to the Registry and which was forwarded to the Bishop was submitted by him to the Council of the Diocese at its meeting on Thursday last when great satisfaction was expressed at the information given therein and I was directed to convey to you as Hon. Sec. of the Committee for their continuous and successful exertions on behalf of the fund. June 15 1885. Page 9.

- To The Very Reverend .. The Dean of Melbourne - I have the honour to inform you that at the meeting of the Interdiocesan Committee held on the 3rd instant, which you were unable to attend, the Committee passed a resolution expressive of their deep sympathy with you under your recent bereavement. June 15 1885. Page 10.

- To W. R. Looker Esquire - Can you tell me who are leading Church people at East Brighton to whom it would be desirable to make an official communication about the formation of the new parochial district of Oakleigh and East Brighton and the appointment of W. Rust. June 16 1885. Page 14.,

- To the Reverend Godby ( Charles John ) Malvern - By direction of the Bishop I write to inform you that the Rev. T. H. Rust ( Thomas Holyoake ) has accepted the charge of the Parochial District about to be formed by combining Oakleigh and East Brighton. Mr Rust is to be licensed on the 30th and will relieve you of the duty at Oakleigh on the following Sunday. June 16 1885. Page 14.

- To The Reverend H. P. Kane ( Henry Plow ) .. I write to inform you that the Revd. T. H. Rust has accepted the charge of the Parochial District about to be formed by combining Oakleigh and East Brighton... I have found the title deed relating to St Johns for the petition for the consecration of St John's East Brighton, which is to take place on the 22nd instant, the length of the building from East to West is stated to be 25 feet and the width from North to South 48 feet. Is that statement correct... June 16 1885. Page 20.

- To J. Reid Esquire Hon. Sec. Vestry of Holy Trinity Church Williamstown .. I send you a form in which a petition can be made to the Bishop to consecrate the Cemetery referred to in Mr Colville's letter.. The petition should be accompanied with a plan of the ground showing the portion allocated to C. of E. if a subdivision of it has been made. June 25 1885. Page 36.

- To A. T. Hayhow Esquire Case of The Reverend E. A. Thomas ( Edward Alphonso ) Clifton Hill - I mentioned to the Bishop the substance of the conversation I had with you .. His Lordship directs me to say that he cannot grant his license for a building the site of which has not been vested in Trustees of the C. of E. purposes, and he objects to your calling a building that is not so vested, and for which he has not granted a license "St Pauls Church "particularly when it is to be used during the work as a State School..... June 26 1885. Page 39.

- To The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Ballarat - The telegraphing agency through whom your Lordship's communication with Mr Butterfield was made ceased its operation within a comparatively recent date, so that his failure to reply to your message sent some years ago could not have been on account of it having become defunct. I have endeavoured to obtain explanations from Mr Beckworth, who represented the agency here, and he promised to look up the old records, but he now informs me that "The papers have been destroyed, and therefore the matter cannot be traced"... I think your Lordship's best course will be to register at the General Post Office your own name and that of a correspondent in England with whom you wish to establish telegraphic communication.... June 30 1885. Page 51. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To A. Wodley Esquire - Diocesan Architect Fees Committee 9th July 4.15 p.m. July 4 1885. Page 63.

- To James Dawson Esquire Renny? Hill Camperdown - The Bishop directs me to thank you for your letter of the 30th ulto. about the aborigines and to say that he will submit it to the Aboriginal Board. July 6 1885. Page 71.

- To The Reverend Canon Howell St Judes Parsonage Port Elliot S.A.... I forward herewith copies of the forms used in this Diocese on the occasions specified. We have no forms for the opening of a church, nor for rogation days, nor for the justitution? of Lay Readers. besides the nomination and declaration of a Reader, it is also required that he shall pass a rudimentary examination by the bishop's chaplain. July 7 1885. Page 74.

- To W. G. Higgins Esquire Geelong - The names of the official Diocesan Trustees to whom land is frequently conveyed in the Melbourne Diocese are The Right reverend James Moorehouse ... Bishop of Melbourne; The honorable William Edward Hearn .. Chancellor of the Diocese of Melbourne; The Honorable Thomas Turner a'Beckett Registrar of the Diocese of Melbourne. The conveyance is made in the ordinary form, the Trustees executing a Declaration of Trust according to a printed form of which I send you a specimen which is annexed to the Conveyance and is kept at the Registry in the strong room and duly recorded... July 8 1885. Page 83.

- To The Reverend T. Quinton ( Thomas ) In reply.. I beg to inform you that all lands reserved by Government in former times for Church purposes are secured to us by the provisions of Act No. 391 ( State Aid Abolution ) and are in no danger of lapsing to the Crown... July 10 1885. Page 87.

- To The Reverend J. R. Walker ( John Rich ) Tarralgon - Enclosed you will find form of service used at the laying of the Foundation stone of a Church. You need no other document from this office. I assume that you are going to build on the land in section 4 (allotments 1,2,10) in accordance with the approved plans. July 9 1885. Page 87.

- To A. E. Johnson Esquire - Architect of the Diocese - Having observed that a survey is being taken of the proposed site of the Girls High School, I think it needful to remind you that the amount to be paid by the Bishop in Council for the sketch plans it is desired to obtain has not yet been arranged. It is necessary that this preliminary be sketched before the designs are proceeded with.... July 10 1885. Page 88.

- To John King Esquire - In Mr a'Beckett's absence .. I now enclose receipt for 20 pounds on account of your promised contribution of 50 pounds to the Cathedral Fund.... 10 pounds still due. July 11 1885. Page 93. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To The Reverend C. T. Perks ( Charles Thomas ) - I enclose a note received by me in May last from George and George which speaks for itself. I told them that their application was premature as nothing definite had at that date been arranged with reference to the removal of the old church... I forwarded this note to you that it will be considered by the Erection Board. and that the result of this communication will be communicated to to them. July 13 1885. Page 94. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To Messrs George and George - I will forward to the Reverend C. T. Perks as Secretary of the Cathedral Erection Board your note to me .. to an extension of the hoarding in front of the Cthedral works as the taking down of the present Church, the matter will have to be considered by the Board and the result of our consideration will be communicated to you. July 13 1885. Page 95. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To G. H. Haythorpe Esquire Hon. Sec. Guardians of Christchurch Brunswick Stewart Street - In reply to your letter.. the Bishop directs me to say that the refusal to sanction the sale of land at Brunswick and apply the proceeds to the erection of a School -house and Parsonage is not the Bishop's, but that of the Bishop in Council's, and that he is not at liberty to give reasons for the decision. July 15 1885. Page 103.

- To The Reverend C. T. Perks - The Bishop will attend a meeting of the Cathedral Board on Friday the 24th at 3.45 p.m. if you will appoint the Registry for the place of meeting and not the works. July 17 1885. Page 109. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To H. S. Pyman Esquire 41 Queen Street Melbourne - The Bishop directs me to say that he will lay your letter of the 17th before the Cathedral Erection Board, but his own understanding of the matter was that on condition the Board erected a temporary church for the congregation, they would have no further claim, and that the .. of the building would be the property of the Board when the structure ceased to be required for the purpose for which it is being erected. July 20 1885. Page 116. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To J. Wilkinson Bella Vista Kew - The Bishop has forwarded to me your letter of the 18th instant relative to the land at Kew given in the year 1853 by Dean Macartney to the Church Endowment fund... July 24 1885. Page 27.

- To The Committee of Selection Headmaster of C. of E. G. School .. Mr Pyne ... - I have the pleasure to inform you that D. Wilson arrived in Melbourne by the Paramatta on the 22 instant. He was cordially welcomed on his arrival by the School Council and proceeded on landing to the School Buildings. The School opens tomorrow being the first day of the commencement of the spring term after the termination of the mid winter vacation. I am directed by the Council to convey to you their high appreciation of the service you have rendered to the school... July 27 1885. Page 135.

- To Dr Wilson - It seems to me desirable that you be made acquainted with the record which will most probably be made in the Grammar School Minute Book of what took place at the meeting of the Council on Monday ... therefore send you a copy of the minutes... July 29 1885. Pages 146. Draft copy of the minutes. Pages 147 - 148.

- To A. E. Johnson Esquire Diocesan Architect - I forward to you herewith a definition of the duties and fees of the Diocesan Architect as determined by the Bishop in Council. July 29 1885. Page 152.

- To The Secretary S.P.C.K. London - By direction of the Bishop of Melbourne I forward to you the accompanying document. You will see that it is the copy of a letter addressed by the writer to the Committee of the Colonial and Continental Church Society from which this Diocese receives a small annual grant, but his Lordship thought that inasmuch as it contains details of work done in one of our mountainous country districts, it might be interesting to the Committee of the S.P.C.K. and prove suggestive of the sort of places helped by that society from time to time by grants in aid of Church building. August 5 1885. Page 166.

- To Mr C. Hale Boot Warehouse Moorabool St Geelong - In reply to your letter.. the Bishop of Melbourne directs me to say that he has repeatedly explained the position he takes in relation to prayer:- There are two provinces of existence:- that of nature governed by unvarying law, and that of moral freedom, in which room is left for the action of man's will. The Bishop does not pray for miracles to be brought in the domain of nature; he does pray for God's grace to help him to overcome sin. August 7 1885. Page 169.

- To Reverend W. G. Marsh ( William Gilbert ) You are exempted under the provisions of the ... Act from... and from serving on juries by reason of you being a Clergyman in Holy Orders but you did not hold this exemption in March last when the jury list for the year was made up... I must therefore recommend you to attend the court to which you have been summoned... August 7 1885. Page 171.

- To R. Buchanan Esquire Jamieson ... the Bishop directs me to say that Greek is not a compulsory subject provided a man do well in other subjects, and his work in the district is satisfactory. August 14 1885. Page 182.

- To W. G. Brett Esquire Coburg - In reply ... under the provisions of the Act of the Church Assembly No. 1 1883 an official Trustee of the Diocese ( The Bishop, Chancellor or Registrar ) takes the place of a local Trustee who vacates his Trusteeship... the object of recent Church legislation has been to make Trustees the mere holders of the dry legal estate, and to throw all active management into the hands of the Vestries.. August 15 1885. Page 183.

- To The Reverend C. T. Perks - The Secretary of the Central Board of Health has written to say that no application has been made to the Board with respect to the temporary building in course of erection on the Cathedral ground, as required by Section 111 Act 782. August 28 1885. Page 201. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To The Reverend J. Garlick ( John ) .. the notice will be given under the 11th Standing Order of your intention to bring in the Bill which accompanied your letter... the keeping of such records is not a necessary duty, and the Bishop thinks it highly objectionable to endeavour to make it one by force of law. August 31 1885. Page 204.

- To E. A. Paterson Esquire, Hon. Sec. Vestry of St Thomas's Essendon Ascot Vale - With reference to the memorandum of the 9th instant, addressed to the Bishop in Council, his Lordship directs me to say that the Vestry of St Thomas's Essendon appear not to understand these three things 1. That the designation of a Parish confers all the privileges connected with the existence of a parish. 2. That a parish and a parochial district united, together give a Clergyman exactly the same rights as if the two together formed a parish. 3. That the Bishop in Council is bound to take care that a parish shall not be larger than it should be permanently; and specially to take care that no hindrance be placed in the way of making a further division of the district when the circumstances of the Church require it. September 11 1885. Page 233.

- Duties of Caretaker and Messenger - Hours of attendance. Morning 7.30 till 12 afternoon, 2 till 5.30. Also after 5.30 when there is ... business or meetings to be held. Duties - To open and close the office; To go messages when required; To clean the windows, sweep the rooms and staircase and hall and keep the premises free from dust; To keep the building well ventilated; To light the fires in cold weather and attend to them during the day. ( Note - The premises must be cleaned, the fires well lighted and the rooms well ventilated by 9 a.m. ); To keep the ground and trees in the front and back of the premises; To keep the inkstands clean and supplied with ink; To see that the floors are duly washed by the charwoman; To perform such duties as may reasonably be required of a caretaker and messenger. Page 244.

- To H. C. Coghlan Esquire Case of Barry Cleveland Esquire .. a candidate for a Readership must pass the examination of the Bishop's chaplain before he can be licensed, and that the Bishop allows three months within which he may, after going to the post it is proposed he shall occupy, prepare himself for examination. The examination is a very simple one, ..merely to satisfy the Bishop's Chaplain that he has an intelligent understanding of the English bible and the book of Common Prayer. The books the Bishop recommends as helps in studying are "Nicholls Help" and ?. They can be had for 2/6 each at the Book Depot over the Registry. The rule of the Diocese is that only licensed Readers shall receive payment of grants in aid from the Church Funds. A Reader's period of service dates, however, from the day he begins work , not the day he passes. September 15 1885. Pages 245 - 246.

- To The Reverend C. T. Perks - I have just received the enclosed which was sent to me in an envelope addressed to me unaccompanied by any explanation of any sort. Please return it to me with your remarks upon it and accompanied by George and George tender which you promised to forward to me .. I assume that the plan has been sent to me by George and George ... September 15 1885. Page 246. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To The Very Reverend The Dean of Melbourne Deanery - The Bishop directs me to forward to you the accompanying letter of Mr Maxwell, Reader of Modewarre, and to request you will rebuke him for addressing the Bishop directly and not through his Superintendent. In answer to the questions .. 1. the Bishop forbids Mr Maxwell to read any part of the Communion service and 2. the Bishop says no women can be suffered to be baptised who refuses to make a public confession of Christ before the congregation. September 15 1885. Page 248.

- To The Reverend C. T. Perks - I have compared the tender made by Messrs George and George in their letter of the 6 of August which I received from you yesterday. with your letter of the 15 August in which you describe the tender to which it refers as being for a much greater height.. than that named by them. In this letter of the 6th August they propose to pay a rent of 1050 pounds for the use of the whole of the hoarding including that for which they are now the lessee at the rate of 120 pounds per annum under an agreement which will expire on the 20th June next. I cannot do anything further in the matter unless I have a conference with you upon it. September 16 1885. Page 249. See attached Cathedral Butterfield File.

-To P. Shekleton Esquire Wodonga - You are mistaken in supposing I have any hand in planning the Bishop's tours. When he was quite new to the diocese I had something to do with them, but when he became acquainted with the country he needed no help from me. His course is to allot a certain period to an Archdeaconry, and then request the Archdeacon or Rural Dean to plan his tour.. The diocese is so much more extensive than the Bishop can cover... September 16 1885. Page 255.

- To The Reverend C. T. Perks - (correspondence about George and George hoarding at the Cathedral site ) hard to read. Page 266.

- To The Reverend South Rochester - I am directed by the Bishop to inform you that he has been told that you did not when at Stratford keep any book of Registrations of Baptisms... the Bishop wishes to learn from you whether or not this information is correct and .. to ask for an explanation of the cause of your neglect in this respect. September 30 1885. Page 270.

- To The Reverend Canon Handfield Rural Dean - By the direction of the Bishop I write to request that you will be so good as to inspect the temporary church on St Paul's Cathedral site and report whether everything useful? for the performance of Divine Service and the administration of the sacraments has been provided. October 3 1885. Page 283. See attached Cathedral Butterfield File.

- To W. R. Looker Esquire Little Collins Street West -Will you in consultation with Mr Dickinson and Mr Godfrey, deal with the subject referred to in the Resolution of the Church Assembly and Determination of the Bishop in Council of which I furnish you with copies on the other side. October 3 1885. Page 287.

- Resolution of Church Assembly passed September 25 1885. "That the Bishop in Council be requested to move the Government to introduce at an early date into Parliament such an amendment in the law as to admit of the female prisoners of the Colony being placed for the last few months of their term in a Home under the management of the Ladies Committee of the Victorian Prisoners Aid Society, where their reformation may be tested, and whence they may be supplied, after due preparation, with suitable country situations. Determination of the Bishop in Council Oct 2 1885. That Messrs R. W. Dickson and W. R. Looker be requested to draw up a memorial on the subject and that Mr Godfrey be associated with them in presenting it". Page 288.

- To O. R. Snowball - Enquiries are made at this office about the Dean's bust. Mr Bennett informs me that you have the matter in hand . I shall be glad to learn what is Being done. October 5 1885. Page 291. ( James Gilbert

1854–85 started on the bust of the Anglican Dean of Melbourne, the Reverend Hussy Burgh Macartney (1799–1894) but died before the bust's completion ). October 5 1885. Page 291.

- To Messrs George and George The Cathedral Erection Board and yourselves - I send you one part of the agreement for letting to you the new hoarding and on .. you signed with a cheque for the first years rent 350 pounds I will send you the .. signed by Mr Perks as Secretary of the Board. October 5? 1885. Page 296.

- To L. C. Wilkinson Esquire 63 Little Collins Street West - I enclose receipt for your cheque for 5 pounds being the last payment in respect of promised donation to St Paul's Cathedral Fund for which I thank you. The site of the intended Girls High School has been fixed upon by the Church Assembly. October 6 1885. Page 305. See attached Cathedral Butterfield File.

- Oxley Mortgage. Pages 337 - 338.

- To The Reverend J. E. Herring ( John Edward (Ed)) - The first meeting of the new Diocese Committee is appointed to be held at this office on the 9th December at 4.15 p.m., when the Committee will no doubt be glad to hear any representations you may think it desirable to make. Will you kindly inform me of the names of any gentlemen to whom you think it would be good to send a ... November 17 1885. Page 394.

- To The Reverend G. N. Bishop ( George Nickells ) - You will remember that about two and a half years ago you received a harmonium from one of your churches from Mr Godfrey. I was under the impression that it was a gift, but from what he said, when calling on Registry today, it appears that he intended only to lend it for a time. He is now helping to start a little Church at Gembrook, and the harmonium would be useful. He says, however, that he does not want to drag the instrument all the way from Drysdale to Gembrook, and thinks that if the congregation who have had the benefit of it would make a contribution towards the purchase of a harmonium for the Gembrook Church, the matter would be appropriately settled.... November 17 1885. Page 395.

- To James Hale Esquire, Gisborne - In reply.. it is the duty of the guardians to insure the Church, the Parsonage, and the furniture of the Church, but not the furniture of the parsonage which is private property... November 19 1885.

- To George and George Collins Street East - I enclose receipt for 350 pounds for rent of portion of Cathedral hoarding under the agreement of last September. There are 30 pounds due under the old agreement for which I shall be glad to receive your cheque. I shall also be obliged by your sending me the counterpart of the new agreement with you signature attached. November 20 1885. Page 400. See attached Cathedral Butterfield File.

'- To F. R. Godfrey.. about the harmonium .. which confirm .. that the instrument was a gift with the reservation about the Church at Doncaster. It is not unlikely, however, that a collection will be made for another instrument for the Church at Gembrook. November 20 1885. Page 401.

- To B. Reed ( Benjamin ) - I was under the impression that the grant of 25 pounds was a special one, made to enable you to purchase a bicycle, and not a grant for the year... December 14 1885. Page 477.

- To D. Gibson Esquire Emerald Hill - I wish to correct a mistake I made the other day... Mr Kelly who was Curate at St James is not now in charge of Oakleigh. He was transferred to Malvern as the Locum Tenens of the Rev W. Godby who until recently had Oakleigh connected with Malvern but is now separated from it and is under the charge of Rev W Rust. December 21 1885. Page 500.

- To The Reverend John Westacott - In reply to your letter of the 17th in which you state that it is alleged by certain persons that the Bishop of Melbourne was one who held and taught that "Christian baptism as taught in the Scriptures meant adult baptism by immersion and only immersion", his Lordship directs me to say that he has never said any such thing in his life. December 22 1885. Page 502.

- To W. F. Johnston Esquire Tallarook - In reply to your letter of the 17th the Bishop directs me to say that you acted very wrongly in appealing to the public. If you had appealed to the Bishop, he would have listened to you, but when you appeal to the public, in order to overcome church authority, he is obliged to disregard such an appeal. The Bishop is the more astonished at the course you have taken because he defended you from Mr Green's demand that you should make an apology in the newspapers. Church troubles must be dealt with by Church .. and not by an indiscriminate gathering of people... who may happen to live in the District. The Bishop rejects the action of Mr Green in ripping open a sore which he trusted he had healed. December 22 1885. Page 505.

- To The Reverend S. Sandiford ( Samuel ) - In reply to your letter of the 26th about a Clergyman for Warrigul, the Bishop directs me to say that you "put the cart before the horse". The Warrigul folk must first guarantee a stipend and then a man will be sent. As to sending a "strong man ": the Bishop says so many places are competing for "strong "men that none can hope to get one unless they are prepared to pay a proportionate stipend... December 29 1885. Page 522.

- To The Reverend H. A. Langley ( Henry Archdall ) - At a meeting of the Bishop in Council held yesterday your letter of the 28th was considered and it was determined that a special grant of 150 pounds be made for the services of a Reader to be employed at the Alfred Hospital and other Public Institutions, on condition that he take such work as shall be assigned to him by the Bishop... December 30 1885. Page 532.

- To H. H. Haytor Esquire C. M. S. - Could you tell me approximately the area and population of so much of the Colony as lies North of the Dividing Range, and East of the Diocese of Ballarat, the Eastern Boundary of which is specified in the accompanying print and plan. I shall be greatly obliged if you can give me this information, for it will help us so much in our deliberations concerning the proposed new Diocese. January 13 1886. Page 568.

- To A. P. Akehurst Esquire - .. the next meeting of the new Diocese Committee is intended to be held on this office on Tuesday the 2nd February at 4.15 p.m. I am not in a position to say when the question of boundaries will be considered... January 13 1886. Page 571.

- To The Reverend J. W. Stahle - In this Diocese the Bishop permits Readers to baptise within their districts in the absence of their supervising Ministers. It is probable that the Bishop of Ballarat would on application give you a corresponding permission. I have communicated to the Bishop of Ballarat your decision re ordination. January 13 1886. Page 574.

- To The Venerable Archdeacon MacCullagh - You will probably learn by telegraph before this reaches you of the terrible loss we are about to sustain by the Bishop's acceptance of Lord Salisbury's offer of the See of Manchester. That See has been some time vacant, and the Bishop says he must depart in March, if possible, by the Rome, which sails in the latter part of that month. In these circumstances his Lordship will be unable to visit the Northern Archdeaconries. In grief over this sad business... January 15 1886. Page 580. See Moorhouse File.

- New Diocese Committee Tuesday 2nd February 4.15. January 18 1886. Page 584.

- To The Reverend A. J. Pickering ( Arthur Joseph ) - In reply.. the Bishop directs me to say that it is illegal to place a cross on the Lord's table. January 20 1886. Page 594.

- To C. H. Barnes - The Bishop directs me to say that he is willing to appoint you to the office of Reader in the Melbourne and Alfred hospitals when the Dean and Mr Thomson have arranged with him ( the Bishop ) precisely what duties you will be required to perform. January 27 1886. Page 606.

- To The Reverend Canon Watson - The Bishop directs me to say that he very much prefers not having any farewell meeting... January 28 1886. Page 612.

- To The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Melbourne - herewith I send a form of resignation which has been prepared by Mr a'Beckett. He wishes you to understand that he has not been able to formulate his objections to your sudden resignation of the See. He fears that difficulties in connection with the transmission? of property may arise in consequence of your doing so, and says that, if you resign immediately, you must do so on your own responsibility; and not with his concurrence. January 28 1886. Page 614. See Moorhouse file.

- To The Registrar Bishops registry Ballarat - I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your courteous intimidation of the 29th ult. respecting the impending departure of the Bishop of Melbourne. I will take care to place it in the hands of any Committee charged with the duty of making arrangements for any farewell demonstration. February 2 1886. Page 629. See Moorhouse File.

- To H. R. Fuge Esquire Chapel Street St Kilda - In reply.. I beg to inform you that the Bishop " consents "to the substitution of four stained, for four plain glass windows in Trinity Church Balaclava; the stained windows being those inspected by and reported on by the Rural Dean. February 3 1886. Page 630.

- To The Reverend H. Collier ( Harry ) - The names of the intending guarantors of your Church loan are not satisfactory to us. None of them appear to be men of substance, but perhaps you are better informed on the subject than we are. Can you give us any information about them? February 3 1886. Page 630.

- Loose sheet - To The Lord Bishop - Christchurch Brunswick - application for variations in terms of consent to lease of Church lands... January 6 1886. Before Page 633.

- To The Reverend J. Firth ( John ) Point Henry near Geelong - In reply... his Lordship directs me to say that he has never " excused " you for not making returns for publication in the annual statistics of the Diocese, and you ought to have made them. February 3 1886. Page 635.

- To The Reverend G. F. South ( George Frederic Handel ) - On the 5th October you informed me that you had entered in chronological order on a sheet of foolscap the baptisms you performed at Stratford, but that you had not then unpacked it. I shall be glad if you will now send it to me as the record is needed. February 4 1886. Page 640.

- To J. Freeman Esquire, Cambray Terrace Albert Park - I have forwarded to the Dean who is at Queenscliffe your note to me relative to the condition of St James Parsonage. By the law of the church in England all incumbents are required to keep their parsonage in good repair but this is modified by our Church Assembly Act No 1 1885 which confides to Churchwardens the care of the parsonage and directs the Vestry to provide out of the parochial church funds for the provisions of the parsonage and the repair thereof... February 5 1886. Page 650.

To H. Clayton Esquire 22 Drummond Street South Ballarat - I am directed by the Bishop to say in answer to your note to him .. that he has not in his own procession any photograph of himself but that some photographs of him in his robes have lately been taken by Messrs Foster and Martin. February 9 1886. Page 656.

- To Mr Thomas - Years ago when grants were made in Church buildings by the Bishop in Council from the annual grant in aid of Public worship made by the state, there were more elaborate regulations governing the erection of Churches and parsonages, and all plans and specifications had to be submitted to ? be approved by the architect of the Diocese ( a fee of 1.1.0  to 10.10.0 pounds has generally paid for his report . But since the abolition of state aid to religion and the funding of the necessary funds by the people, this regulation has been almost superseded, and the reference to the Diocesan Architect is no longer made when the ? standing of the architect of the building is undoubted. Plans are submitted to the Bishop in Council and those prepared by architects of good standing are proposed? as a matter of course. If however, there is any doubt about plans, they are referred to the Diocesan architect, he reports on them, and the Bishop in Council decides ... February 15 1886. Page 675.

- To The Reverend J. Garlick ( John ) All Saints Sandhurst -  You will not, I hope, think we have not paid attention to the suggestions made in your article in the Messenger about our annual statistics if you do not find them carried out in the next issue. We would have adopted one or two of them if, unfortunately, he forms of return had not been sent out without recollection of them... February 16 1886. Pages 677 - 678.

- To The Very Reverend The Dean of Melbourne - In view of his approaching departure from the Diocese the Bishop has directed me to inform you that during his episcopate certain of the clergy have sought to effect exchanges of their cures for limited period, and that he considers it is a objectionable practice... February 18 1886. Page 683.

- To The Reverend Perks - Enclosed you will find a policy of Insurance ... of Cathedral property on the wharf, which should be in your hands, not ours, for we cannot know whether it needs renewal or no. You will see it runs out on the 5th March. February 25 1886. Page 704. See attached CathedralButterfield File.

- To R. Hopkins Esquire - It is desirable that our Church lands should be vested in The C.. of E. Trusts Corporation created by the Trustees Vestries Act under the Act of Parliament of Victoria No 797 particularly in cases where the original Trustees have been reduced to one or two... February 25 1888. Page 704.

- To R. J. Mahaffy Esquire Mooroopna ,, the Bishop directs me to say that there are three elements in the qualifications of a person who receives orders 1. Doing good work 2. serving 3 years as a Reader 3. Attaining the degree of knowledge fixed in the minimum standard of the Diocese of Melbourne... March 4 1886. Page 716.

- To The Archbishop of Canterbury, York, Bishop of Durham ( copy of letter to the Archbishop, Bishops and Bishop of Durham ) - The resignation of the see of Melbourne by Dr Moorhouse has called into operation a Board constructed? under an act of our Church Assembly which was formed to provide for the appointment of Bishops of the Diocese. A Chairman of this Board they respectfully to provide a copy of the resolution passed at their first meeting held March 3 1886 and to express on behalf of the Board their earnest desire  and hope that you _ will accede to our request that you should act as one of our nominators. Bishops Moorhouse and Perry are of course thoroughly acquainted with the wants of the Church in Victoria and will be able to advise as to the class of man needed for the post. March 10 1886. Page 731. See Moorhouse File.

- To Messrs C. J. Ham and Co. - Will you be so good as to let the Dean know whether there is any likelihood of his being able to let Bishopscourt for a short time and at what rental. It is not likely that the nest Bishop will arrive before the end of the year and the property might be let for six months certain and for a further period terminable by three months notice either side. March 12 1886. Page 738. See Moorhouse File.

- To Charles Webb Esquire Architect - The Dean of Melbourne requests that you will be so good as to inspect Bishopscourt and report to him with respect to its condition. His desire is to ascertain it accurately in order that he may give it up in the order in which he finds it. March 12 1886. Page 740. See attached Moorhouse File.