Brian Condon: Diary of James Alipius Goold, 1848-1886

June 4th. I administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Church of St Francis, Melbourne, to 150 persons, children and adults. Admitted to their first Communion 68 children, boys and girls.

In consequence of an attack that was made in the City Council re the character and efficiency of the Irish orphans recently landed in Port Phillip at the expense and under the patronage of the Imperial Government, I deemed it my duty to call a public meeting of the Catholics and Irish generally resident in Melbourne to repel this low attack on unprotected orphans of excellent character, to 65 of whom I gave Confirmation, whilst with very few exceptions the entire body of orphans arrived in this Colony for the commencement of this description of Emigration, complied with their religious duties. Accordingly a very numerous meeting took place in St Francis Hall, at which were present between six and seven hundred persons, and the following resolutions were adopted.

A public meeting of the Catholics was held agreeably to my instructions in St Francis Hall to animadvert upon and remonstrate against the introduction of prayer or religious service of any kind at the laying the foundation stone of the Victoria Benevolent Asylum, as agreed upon by the building committee in deference to the rules of a private society, the Masonic body. The meeting was attended by 700 - seven hundred - persons, amongst whom were many protestants. The proceedings were conducted with the greatest propriety and unanimity. The petition, or rather Memorial, forwarded to his Excellency the Governor for transmission to Her Majesty praying the continuance of Irish Orphan Emigration was received by His Excellency and acknowledged.

The Rev R. D's resignation [probably Robert Downing. Ed.] tendered and received: he proceeds to Sydney. Habits of conduct against which he had been frequently warned induced me - though badly off for priests - to accept his resignation.