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Draft letters, unsigned, from Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Fr James O'Dwyer concerning the position of Rector of Newman College and explaining why Fr O'Dwyer service as Rector was not continued.

Footprints: Journal of the Melbourne Diocesan Histroical Commission, Volume 36, No.1.

Print out of personal history.

Letter from Fr Eustace Boylan SJ, Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne to Irish Fr Provincial John Conmee SJ concerning his life in Australia and his work as Prefect of Studies in the College.

Letter from Fr Hugh Pidcock SJ, Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne to Irish Fr Provincial John Conmee SJ concerning the college and Fr James O'Dwyer's success as Rector of the College. Refers to the financial position of Xavier College.

A file of letters from Fr James O'Dwyer SJ to Fr Provincial. Many of the letters refer to Xavier College and the administration of the school e.g. teaching staff, subjects taught, equipment needed (laboratory/scientific materials), finances. Includes a letter referring to the Premiership in football '...which we won last Thursday from the Scotch - you would think it was a reversal of the Battle of the Boyne.' (26 August 1910, 2pp). Includes a letter enclosing the Rector's report of Xavier College, Kew (27 December 1911, 2 items). Includes a letter referring to the war. Remarks 'As I write from this side of the globe we hardly know whether the British Empire is still standing. We still hope the sea is clear - but we are really being kept in the dark. All we know is that Germany is pressing on and Namar has fallen. We know that the Holy Father and Father General are dead and Franz Joseph is dying.' (25 August 1914, 5pp). Includes a letter discussing the opening of Newman College. Remarks that the prestige of the Society is at stake and suitable men must be appointed to it, particularly the position of Rector. (17 see also June 1917, 7pp). Includes a letter referring to a crisis that has occurred over the opening of Newman College. Remarks that Fr Superior (Fr Ryan SJ) has raised queries over the amount of money to be paid to the Jesuits, a sum he (Fr Ryan) regards to be too little. Remarks 'The trouble is we cannot exactly see what Fr Ryan's position is. He has a vague fear that he is outwitted by Dr Mannix and a vague recollection of possible better terms from Dr Carr at a time when more money was expected to come in and when the cost of building was lower...You may remember that one of my reasons for pressing you to visit Australia was that I held that Fr Ryan was not the man to do business with Dr Mannix. There is a temperamental difference between them. Dr M. thinks Fr Ryan shifty and Fr Ryan thinks Dr. M. most exacting.' (15 October 1917, 6pp). Includes two letters referring to the appointment of Fr Power SJ to the position of Rector of Newman College and how this was achieved. Expresses his extreme disappointment and annoyance at being put in a very embarrassing situation. Points out that everybody assumed he (Fr O'Dwyer) would be appointed even though he accepts that no official confirmation of this was sent by Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ). Remarks 'Newman College Council met...only laymen were present. It was before Fr Power's name was disclosed to the public and I was greeted as Rector by the members...When Dr. M entered the room business was begun by asking for information re Rector. Then to the consternation of all he repeated your cable to him without any word to his council, without a hint to me, over the heads of the Mission CCs. I was publicly repudiated and humiliated not only by my own superiors (which might be considered part of the game) but by Dr M. acting as superior of Ours.' Concludes 'I have been rejected and snubbed so often by superiors and have always found myself so much better off as the result, that I have great trust in Providence. I should never have got to Australia if Fr J. Murphy had not turned me out of CWC (Clongowes Wood College) as a dangerous character. And I should not have got to Melbourne...if Fr Ryan had not declared me unfit for Riverview...All that does not prevent me from writing strongly...nor prevent me from saying again that my poor efforts for the Society in Australia deserved more consideration.' (23 February 1918, 3pp & 3 July 1918, 6pp).

Letter from Fr James O'Dwyer SJ, Xavier College, Kew to Fr Maher SJ concerning news from the Australian Mission and asking Fr Maher for items (chalices and vestments) for the altar.

Letter from Fr Patrick Keating SJ to Irish Fr Provincial John Conmee SJ concerning his handing over of the Rectorship of Xavier College to Fr James O'Dwyer SJ.

A file of letters from Fr Albert Power SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his voyage to Australia via America. Includes letters referring to William Tucker SJ and his health (6 October 1918 & 7 October 1918, 2 items). Includes a letter concerning his journey to San Francisco. Remarks 'At San Francisco there is a Priest (Fr O'Neill) who is Rector of Newman Hall in the University at Berkeley...a Catholic Hall like the one I am going to be acquainted with. I have a letter of introduction to him and hope to get some lights from him. They say he has done a great deal for his Hall...' (21 November 1918, 2pp). Includes a letter concerning his new position as Rector of Newman College. Refers to Fr O'Dwyer SJ. Remarks 'The poor man has had a v. heavy trial over this Newman College affair - and I think he has been dealt with rather unceremoniously.' Refers to an offer by the Archbishop of Perth inviting the Jesuits to establish a see also residence in Perth. Remarks 'I would remind your Reverence that we are very much undermanned out here - and unless you can send us out a good few subjects, it might be better not to extend the frontier that we have to garrison.' (21 January 1919, 2pp). Includes a letter reporting on Newman College after 18 months as Rector of the College (19 August 1920, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to a consult of the mission at which the proposal of Australia becoming a Vice-Province was discussed. Summarises the points raised (13 October 1924, 3pp).

An extensive file of letters from Fr John Ryan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial. As Superior of the Mission (11 February 1901 - 14 June 1908 & 9 April 1913 - 24 October 1917), Fr Ryan wrote to his superior, the Irish Fr Provincial on all matters concerning the administration (including visitations he made to the various communities) of the Mission and members of the Society living and working in see also Australia. Includes a letter to Fr J. Murphy SJ concerning Fr John O'Neill's health. Remarks '...there is only one proper course open to us viz. to send Fr O'Neill to Europe where he will have, at least, a chance of recovery...He is a source of constant anxiety, and we have no institution in Australia where we can put him, except the public Lunatic Asylum.' Remarks that following discussion with his Consultors he has decided to send Fr O'Neill home. (8 December 1902, 2pp). Includes a memorandum concerning the mission of the Jesuit Fathers in North Sydney. (5 March 1912, 7pp). Includes a letter concerning the Sydney Synod. Remarks 'It seems the secular clergy are urging His Grace to dock more and more the missionary districts of Regulars and apparently he means to satisfy them as much as possible.' (6 August 1913, 2pp). Includes a letter discussing the proposed additions to St. Aloysius College (6 August 1913, 5pp). Includes a letter referring to the war and the difficulty of sending letters. Remarks '…it is a blessing that so far none of our mail boats have been sunk'. Refers to Sevenhills and remarks that he will do his best '…to work up the Altar Wine Industry which I hope will be of great help to Loyola. And I do hope you will succeed in getting some Bros. That understand the making of wine.' Concludes by remarking that more chaplains are needed by the Military Authorities and remarks that he cannot supply even one Father. Refers to Fr Hearne SJ, at the front and remarks '…everyone who has met him is loud in his praises.' (9 February 1914, 2pp). Includes a letter concerning a loan for Riverview (a second mortgage on the property) (18 February 1914, 3pp). Includes a letter regarding the reopening of the Novitiate at Loyola (18 February 1914, 4pp). Includes a letter concerning the proposed administration of St. John's College in the University of Sydney by the Jesuit Fathers (23 - 25 February 1914, 3pp). Includes a letter (with rough drawings) regarding the alterations made at Loyola for the reopening of the Novitiate (16 June 1914, 3pp). Includes a letter referring to a statement sent to Fr General concerning the lax discipline at Riverview. Remarks that the statements made by Fr General were too sweeping (1 September 1915, 2pp). Includes letters concerning an offer made by Archbishop Dunne (Archbishop of Brisbane), Toowong Parochial District, Brisbane. In a letter from Fr Ryan to Fr Thomas V Nolan SJ he remarks that Toowong would be the most suitable district in Brisbane for the work of the Jesuits (29 August 1915 - 18 June 1916, 9 items). Includes letters see also concerning the property Ellangowan (Adelaide) and the desire of the Society of Jesus to secure the property (9 March 1916, 3pp). Includes a number of letters concerning a new Superior for Norwood and problems with Fr McCurtin over the matter (8 March 1916 - 27 March 1916, 6 items). Includes a letter expressing his surprise at the employment of female cooks at Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne. Remarks that he challenged Fr O'Dwyer SJ (Rector) about it at once as 'It was well known that I would not consent without referring the matter to Your Reverence.' Includes a letter from Fr O'Dwyer to Fr Ryan explaining the reasons why he employed female cooks (1 April 1917 & 2 April 1917, 2 items). Includes a memorandum concerning the sending of Juniors to Ireland and opposition of the Consultors to sending them to Ireland. Outlines various reasons why the Consultors are opposed to this (2 May 1917, 1p). Includes a letter referring to a meeting with the Consultors at which the question of a Juniorate in Australia was fully discussed (30 October 1917, 1p).

‘Novices’ Pensions’ - Lists novices, the amount of their annual pensions, number of years in noviceship, and observations.

Booklet entitled 'The Catholic Church and Medical Science' by Fr James O'Dwyer SJ