A file of plans depicting: Melbourne and suburbs; Adelaide and suburbs; principal railway systems and Australia and New South Wales railway system

A file of letters from Fr Timothy Kenny SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning a consultation on the issue of selling St Aloysius College and the establishment of a residence in Adelaide.

A file of letters from Fr Joseph Dalton SJ, (Superior: 1866 - 1872; 1879 - 2 September 1883) to irish Fr Provincial concerning the Australian Mission. (Note: undated fragments - 17 items).

14 May 1866 - 6 December 1869, 52 items
Includes a letter concerning a 'serious hitch' with the Bishop over the boundaries of the Mission (24 May 1866, 4pp). Includes a letter concerning a successful agreement between the Society and the Archbishop. Remarks that the Archbishop is very anxious that the Jesuit Fathers obtain the best sites for their houses and to this end has applied to the government for a 'church reserve.' (26 June 1866, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to an invitation by Dr Murphy for the Jesuits to set up a Mission in Tasmania. Remarks that he discussed the matter with his Consultors who felt it was not a desirable offer 'But the real danger is - if Dr. Murphy calls in the Marists or any other body and if they open a community in...Tasmania before we shall have opened one here we may be "cut out" by them; a college in Tasmania even if not a great success might interfere seriously with our college here..' (22 August 1866, 10pp). Includes a letter expressing his disappointment that Fr Provincial can provide neither men nor money for the Australian Mission. Remarks 'It is a great delusion to imagine that gold in Australia is like coal in Newcastle - would it were! The lucky golden days out here are all past and gone and it now requires great capital and great machinery to work the mines... which...lie out here some 200 or 300 feet underground.' Refers to Sir Charles Gavan Duffy lately arrived in Australia. Remarks that he (Fr Dalton) is his Parish Priest and that he has called to see him (26 November 1866, 7pp). Includes a letter referring to the laying of the foundation stone of the church of St Ignatius. Includes a rough plan of the design (25 July 1867, 4pp). Includes a letter marked private concerning the crisis over appointing a new Bishop. Remarks that Dr Goold is acting as administrator temporarily but asks if one of the Jesuit Fathers could be appointed. Remarks 'The laity were about sending a petition to Rome for one of us - I dissuaded them...it will ruin the Melbourne Mission and I intend to impress this on Dr Goold...' (nd, 2pp). (Note: this letter is see also filed after the letter dated 27 July 1867). Includes a letter referring to the litigation over Fr Therry's will. Remarks that this is hindering their plans to secure a site for a new college (26 August 1867, 6pp). Includes a letter describing a visit he made to Fr Therry's sister in Hobart. Remarks that everything has been settled '..I found Miss Therry and her brother most favourably disposed towards us and most anxious that Fr Therry's will and "instructions" should be carried out: they were under the impression however that the Trustees were making away with the property and hence the lawsuit.' (25 September 1867, 8pp). Includes a letter referring to the building of the churches at Richmond and Hawthorn. Remarks 'The two churches are going on well TG - Hawthorn mason work will be completed in a month TG - the Richmond church ("dear and ugly") is rising more slowly and winning admiration as it grows..' (4 January 1868, 8pp). Includes a letter concerning Fr Therry's property and the various allotments left to the Society of Jesus (28 February 1868, 4pp). Includes a lengthy letter replying to a series of charges levelled against the Mission by Fr Lentaigne. Remarks '...I feel that Fr Lentaigne's bill of indictment is greatly exaggerated and in some respects childish - it is almost entirely made up of charges against Fr Nolan...' (11 September 1868, 14pp). Includes a letter referring to the Benedictines in Sydney. Remarks '...(they) are broken down completely - they have failed in every way, their school, their convent - their priests and their Lay Brothers - all a failure. The laity and some of the clergy are very anxious that the Archbishop should give us Lyndhurst for a college, the Marist too are most anxious to see us there..' (4 December 1868, 10pp).

3 January 1870 - 11 May 1879; 87 items
Includes a letter referring to the endowment by Dr McEnroe of a Chair in St John's College (27 March 1870, 11pp). Includes a letter concerning the General Elections and the Education Bill and the Bishop's directive that the clergy should use all their power to ensure the Bishop's directive that the clergy should use all their power to ensure that men opposed to the Government's Education Bill should be returned. Remarks that he did as much as he could quietly. Continues 'We all abstained from voting tho' the B(isho)p was very anxious - Fr General has already forbidden ours to vote under any pretence.' (23 March 1871, 8pp). Includes a letter discussing the pros and cons of the Mission's first attempt at convictus. (20 May 1871, 8pp). Includes a letter describing a visit he paid to South Australia to give a series of retreats. Describes the Mission of the German Fathers of the Society of Jesus in detail. Remarks 'I have had a special reason for giving you...(a) very detailed...account of the Mission of our German Fathers (because... our German Fathers...are very anxious for an amalgamation of the two missions - theirs and ours).' Remarks that he would not approve of an amalgamation and sets out his reasons for this opinion.' (22 August 1872, 8pp). Includes a letter referring to his attempt to raise money for the new colleges. Remarks that he is in Castlemain '...begging for our new colleges, I fear I shall not make my fortune - the place is poor and I am not a good walker and a beggar should be a good walker and a good rider also - I am neither...' (25 February 1873, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to the new secular Education Bill coming into operation. Remarks that it is the Jesuit Father's duty to provide for the schools 'Xtian Brothers for our boys and nuns for our girls are only hope..' (2 January 1974, 4pp).

16 October 1880 - 17 June 1889; 21 items
Includes a letter regarding his health and requests to be relieved from his position as Superior of the Mission as soon as possible. Refers to a meeting of Land League sympathisers at which Fr Joseph O’Malley SJ spoke very strongly. Remarks that he wrote to Fr O'Malley SJ on the matter. Continues 'To make matters worse I learned that the "Land League" had arranged to have 5000 copies of Fr O'Malley's speech...printed...I wrote at once to the printers but was too late...Fr Mulhall and Fr Clancy...agree with me in looking on the speech as very imprudent.' (24 July 1881, 12pp). Includes a letter concerning the conduct of Fr James Kennedy SJ at the graveside of Archbishop Steins which caused great upset to the Jesuit Fathers and members of the diocese. Remarks that he had to severely reprimand Fr Kennedy SJ ([September 1881], 6pp).

A file of letters from Fr John Meagher SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 25 August 1939-1 October 1947) to Irish Fr Provincial (John R. MacMahon SJ and Thomas Byrne). Includes a letter referring to an offer by the Apostolic Delegate to take a minor seminary in New Zealand in 1947. Asks if four or five young priests could be sent out. Remarks 'We have offers of work from practically every Bishop in Australia and must refuse for want of men. Our recruiting is bad and I really don't know what to do to remedy the trouble.' (10 November 1945, 1p). Includes a letter referring to a request by Fr Dan O'Connell SJ for Fr Richard Ingram SJ to help with his work in the Riverview Observatory. (18 March 1946, 1p). Includes a number of letters concerning Fr Cooney and his ill health. Includes a letter remarking 'He (Fr Cooney) wants to return to Hong Kong in September but I think you realise his return there would probably settle his chances of ever doing any more work...I think that Fr Cooney will never be really fit to return to Hong Kong (15 May 1946, 1p). Includes a letter referring to proposals to open colleges in Adelaide and Brisbane. Remarks due to the shortage of Jesuit Fathers that this is impossible. (27 June 1946, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr Austin Kelly SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 1 October 1947-1 November 1950) to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ. Includes a letter asking Fr Provincial to send out experienced Missioners., remarks 'We need subjects so much and we are not known in spite of the years we have been in the Commonwealth (6 February 1948, 1p). Includes a letter referring to a promise made to the Archbishop of Adelaide to staff the new University College in 1950. Remarks 'I see that Fr Fergal McGrath SJ is in USA on loan. Could Your Reverence possibly lend us Father McGrath for a few years to give the Adelaide University College a start - and a good one too?' (7 February 1949, 1p). Includes a letter thanking Fr Provincial for his congratulations following Australia's elevation to the status of Province. Remarks 'Please God all our fond hopes may be realised so that we shall have the vocations and support to keep going all our commitments.' (7 November 1950, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ (Superior: 2 September 1883 - 5 April 1890) to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Mission in Australia. Includes a letter asking permission to open a novitiate if he felt it was needed (12 November 1883 , 6pp). Includes a letter expressing his frustration over the delay in receiving answers to his letters. Remarks 'I feel very much embarrassed when there is anything to be done that requires the signing of a contract. I think that Fr General should give me as much power as he can communicate...' Refers to the lack of men and remarks that Fr Bietal SJ, an Austrian Jesuit is likely to be recalled to his own Mission in Adelaide (17 December 1883, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to the type of person suitable for the Mission in Adelaide (17 December 1883, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to the type of person suitable for the Mission. Remarks 'I hope you will not send to Australia anyone who is in any way weak concerning drink and the other fault that comes after drinking to excess. In this country...our dealings are more before the public and any fault in those two matters would ruin our character entirely.' (14 October 1886, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to Fr Joseph O'Malley's return from New Zealand. Remarks that Fr Thomas McEnroe SJ remains in New Zealand but that he is not certain whether the Mission has been closed or not. Includes a letter referring to the election of Fr Clancy as Rector of St John's College. Remarks that his election has been declared invalid. Describes how this has occurred. (10 January 1889, 4pp). Includes a further letter concerning Fr Clancy and the Rectorship of St. John's College. Remarks that they have consulted a lawyer who felt the election was invalid '...we saw that this was the best opportunity for us to retire with honours and without offending our friends from the truly dangerous battlefield...' (7 February 1884, 6pp). Includes a letter referring to the need for more Fathers to be sent out particularly a German or French Father that could be employed as a prefect in one of the colleges (17 September 1884, 8pp). Includes a letter concerning a decision to publish the Messenger of the Sacred Heart in Melbourne. Refers to the sale of land at St Patrick's Melbourne for the construction of a portion of the railway. Remarks that Fr Christopher Nulty SJ (Rector) has paid off all debts and wishes to spend the remainder on finishing the college (9 August 1886, 3pp). Includes a letter referring to the closure of Tullabeg and the possibility of Fathers being sent out to Australia. Remarks 'I hope that even independently from the closing of Tullabeg you will send me some good prefects and masters who are wanted here very badly...' (20 August 1886, 3pp). Includes a letter concerning an offer by the Bishop of Tasmania to the Society of a house for the purposes of opening a seminary for the Bishop's diocese and that it could also be used as a sanatorium for Jesuit Fathers '...I wrote to him that...it would not be prudent...for us to accept an offer...which we could not accomplish through want of men and money (1 October 1886, 10pp).

Photocopy letter from Irish Fr Provincial Patrick Keating SJ, The Presbytery, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Fr General concerning a letter Fr Keating received from John O'Reily, Archbishop of Adelaide and the suggestion that the Austro-Hungarian and Irish Mission should unite in Australia.

Letter from Fr Peter O'Flinn SJ, Manresa, Hawthorn to Fr Patrick Keating SJ concerning the acceptance of an offer of Norwood, Sevenhill and a site for a church college and residence in Adelaide.

Letter from Fr Patrick F. Tighe SJ to Fr Ryan on board the "Roon", nearing Adelaide concerning the voyage to Australia.

Letter from Fr Joseph Hearn SJ, St Ignatius, Richmond to Irish Fr Provincial Patrick Keating SJ concerning an invitation to accept the Adelaide Mission.

Letter from Christopher Augustine Reynolds, Bishop of Adelaide to Fr Nicholas Walsh SJ, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning the sending out of two Jesuit Fathers and Nuns from Cabra.

Series of articles bound into book format concerning the history of the Jesuit mission to Australia:

• 'The Woodstock Letters'. Vol. XXXVII. No. 3 'The Society of Jesus in Australia' pp303-318; Vol. XXXVIII. No. 1 pp1-9; Vol. XXXVIII. No. 2 pp161-176; Vol. XXXVIII. ? pp341-349; Vol. XXXIX. No. 2 pp145-160; Vol. XXXIX. No. 3 pp304-318; Vol. XL. No. 1 pp1-16; Vol. XL. No. 2 pp145-160; Vol. XL. No. 3 pp274-288; Vol. XLI. No. 1 pp1-6;

• catalogue of the Adelaide residence of the Australian Mission (1862; 1869-1870; 1874; 1877; 1880; 1886; 1889) and the Australian Mission (1887; 1893; 1902; 1912);

• contemporary newspaper clippings of Jesuit houses in Australia;

• copy of 'Edmund Campion’s History of Ireland' by the Rev. John Hungerford Pollen SJ with an inscription to Fr John Conmee SJ by J. H. Pollen SJ reprinted from ‘The Month’, December, 1905, and February, 1906.

• articles by Fr Matthew Devitt SJ on 'Summerhill, County Meath and its neighbourhood', published in Kildare Archaeological Society;

• 'Irish University Education: A plea for Fair Play' by Fr William Delany SJ (1904);

• 'Brief memoir of Fr Patrick Duffy SJ' (1904);

• 'The Annual Report of the Apostolic School of Ireland' (Society of Jesus) 1884-1885, 1886, 1895;

• extracts from the diary of Mungret College (1884-1885);

• copy letters from Rev. F. Ronan to the Fathers and Students of Mungret College during the journey through the United States (September 1884- Christmas 1885).