Chapter 4. Serra Returns. Brother Oriol, carpenter and joiner, in Perth and Fremantle 1855 and 1856.

 

Victoria Square c. 1865. Right is Bishop's Palace completed in 1859 by Bishop Serra. Left is the new impressive Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception completed in 1862-3 by new Administrator Fr. Martin Griver, showing the change of emphasis in the diocese. 

Outline: 

In May 1855 Serra returns from Europe, takes control of the Diocese and New Norcia.

He withdraws most farm produce and flocks from New Norcia 

Brother artisans are transferred to work on the Monastic buildings in Perth, Subiaco and Fremantle and the Mission is virtually abandoned.

Unhappy at the change , some missionary priests and  Brothers leave the Community.

Isidro Oriol remains, and in October 1855 begins working as a carpenter and builder on  a large Presbytery in Fremantle

In October 1856, Isidro injures his leg and returns to the Monastery at Subiaco

On 15 January, 1857, Isidro leaves the Benedictine Community and settles in Perth

Subiaco Monastery is completed in June 1859

 New Norcia becomes an independent Benedictine Abbey in 1859 with Bp Salvado appointed Superior.  Bp Serra leaves the diocese for Rome in July 1859 and never returns

(c) Hilaire Natt

November 2023

Bishop Serra returns: Trouble for Salvado and New Norcia.  

In May 1855 Bishop Serra returned to WA and, as Bishop of Perth, resumed control of the diocese and New Norcia from Salvado. But Serra, obsessed with his vision of a new  Monastic Precinct, had lost interest in New Norcia and immediately began selling the assets there to benefit the Catholic diocese. He also withdrew the Brother artisans from the Mission to work on his monastic buildings. Powerless to help New Norcia, Salvado was now in open conflict with Serra. He describes the situation in his Report of 1883

one of his [Monsegnor Serra's] first instructions was to bring some horses and wheat from New Norcia to Perth. On 16 July 1855, carts loaded with wheat and the horses he had asked for use in Perth left the Mission. In the month of August more carts of wheat and in addition some Brother artisans left, bound for Perth. In September the Mission’s best geldings were selected and taken to Perth and so were other carts loaded with wheat and various tools and utensils belonging to the artisans…. Soon after more than twenty brothers were called to Perth too, so that the impression was that New Norcia would soon be almost completely despoiled and abandoned… (1)

The Aborigines were sent away with orders not to readmit them. Salvado was kept in Perth and not allowed to return to New Norcia but ordered to run messages here and there and continuously visit different parts of the diocese.  'Serra wanted to wear me out but he did not succeed in this’ (2). . 

By the end of 1855 nearly all the Brother artisans had been left New Norcia and were working on large monastic buildings in Perth (the Bishop’s Palace), Subiaco (the monastery  New Subiaco) or Fremantle (the presbytery and school).

The Bishop's Palace, which Serra completed in 1859, rear right,  and rear, centre Left. behind wall, the little church of St. John the Evangelist.  Note the contrast in scale.  (SLWA  b4173245-_1)

Priests and Brothers begin to leave the Community

This was not what the missionaries recruited by Serra and Salvado in 1849 and 1853 had been led to expect.  With the disbanding of New Norcia Mission and monastery, there was no longer a mission for the Aboriginal people or a monastic community. No noviciate had been established where postulants could begin their training as monks, and there was no opportunity for the existing monks and priests to participate in the Benedictine monastic life they had experienced in Europe.  As Salvado wrote in his Report of 1883:

‘Therefore, many Brothers began to lose heart, so that one after the other and almost daily, they abandoned Mgr. Serra declaring that they had been cheated and betrayed by him. Some monk priests did the same and for the same reason, so that it was truly painful to see the enforced desertion.’(3)

During the next few years five monk priests, unable to work with Serra,  left the colony  and several artisan Brothers left to return to Spain or travelled to Spanish missions in Colombo or South America. Others left to settle in Perth, including baker Geronimo Rodoreda, storekeeper Ignacio Boladeras, and Isidro's friend gardener Juan Bancells. For the present Isidro Oriol was among those who stayed.

The ex-Brothers who returned to Spain told of the problems in the diocese between Serra and Salvado and the situation in New Norcia. This affected  the willingnes of donors in Europe to support the Mission, and Propaganda Fide in Rome also became concerned (4).  

Bishop José Maria Benito Serra  shortly after his appointment as Bishop in Spain in 1847.

Serra establishes a Community and Noviciate at New Subiaco

Soon afterwards Serra, stung by criticism, began to wear the Benedictine habit again (instead of dressing as a Bishop), proclaimed the whole diocese a Benedictine monastery and announced he would set up a Community and noviciate at New Subiaco, or ‘that hut’ as Salvado called it.  The first novices included the diarist Brother Manuel Martinez who, as Father Bernard, became one of the first priests ordained in the colony in 1857 and spent the rest of his life as Parish priest at New Norcia.(5) 

Salvado was cynical about this project, feeling strongly that it should have been at New Norcia, as the 'quiet and tranquility' claimed by Serra for  New Subiaco was a myth . For the novices were in fact 

the same [monks] who tilled the ground at New Subiaco and who dug and planted the vineyards and olives... who grew legumes and other vegetables not only for their use but also to take them to Perth themselves for Mgr Serra’s dining table?...who early in the morning went [walked[ from New Subiaco to Perth (3 miles distant) to work all day in Mgr Serra’s garden and who returned to Subiaco during the night? ...they would certainly have had more quiet and tranquillity at New Norcia…(6)  

The Brother artisans who remained and began work on Serra’s projects in Perth and Fremantle, included Isidro Oriol (carpenter), Francisco Ventura (stoneworker)  and Guiseppe Ascione (mason)   Details of the work they performed between June 1855 and December 1856,  are available in the  English summaries of the correspondence (mainly in Spanish)  in the New Norcia Archives.

The Correspondence Summaries document the daily activities of the Benedictine community in WA and also provide an insight into the personalities of those involved.  The correspondence below is predominantly between Bp Serra, Bishop of Perth, in his role as  building supervisor, and Bp Salvado or whoever was in charge at Fremantle or New Norcia. It refers frequently to Br Oriol's role as a carpenter and builder in 1855 - 56,  when he was based mainly in Fremantle working on the construction of a large presbytery and school there.  

Isidro Oriol and the Artisan Brothers in Fremantle 1855-56

The first reference to Br Oriol in Fremantle is on 8 October 1855,  when Fr Martin Griver (Perth) writes to R. Salvado [New Norcia] describing the work done there by the Brothers.  It gives an interesting insight into Oriol’s personality. 

Griver  mentions Br. Ventura ‘s claim ‘he could not adapt to Oriol’s personality and that he preferred to work in anything else’.  Ventura was replaced by ‘the Valencian Br Cervero’ who, later correspondence indicates, was an accomplished carpenter.  Br. Oriol ‘was thinking of going to Perth because he had no timber to work with’.  Griver  ‘advised Oriol to have patience for two or three days more, G[river] trusting that in that time they will have more timber; if not, perhaps the said brother [Oriol] would not want to wait any longer in Fremantle' (7).

There were two Ventura  Brothers and this is Francisco, a young stone worker who had arrived aged 18 with Oriol and Salvado on the John Panter in 1853.  His uncle Raphael Ventura (who arrived in on the Ferrolana 1849 aged 48) was a gardener and both left the mission in 1856. Br Oriol, an experienced builder and skilled cabinet maker aged 29, may have been upset by the workmanship of the inexperienced younger Brothers as well as the delays caused by timber shortages. 

It is not clear where Br Oriol was living at that time but if he was 'waiting in Fremantle' he may have been staying nearby in the 'inadequate' house owned by the Catholic Church at 67 Henry Street. Bishop Brady had acquired lots 66 and 67 in Henry St in 1846 and the. house on lot  67 was used intermittently as a convent and school. 

When the tides and gales were unfavourable, water swept in from the Esplanade, and the bottom floor of the cottage was awash with sea water. It was the first Catholic school in Fremantle (6 December 1847) and the first Convent of Mercy (10 September 1848); the people also attended Sunday Mass in one room of the cottage (7). 

According to J. Hitchcock In his 1929 History of Fremantle, 'The chapel was served on Sundays by a priest from Perth.  There was no resident priest in Fremantle until 1855, when the first Sisters of St. Joseph - four in number - arrived with several missionaries' [including Bp. Serra]  (6).  Serra  gave them the convent in Fremantle, formerly occupied by the Sisters of Mercy, which he had closed earlier due to 'lack of funds'.  This brought criticisms of 'favouritism'; and further alienated Serra from the Mercy nuns and their many supporters. 

An  undated photo of the Presbytery building which would house the resident priest as well as several Benedictines (8.) Later correspondence mentions the building including a school as well as rooms for priests. (see below) 

Building in the colony was no easy task. On 3 December 1855, Serra writes  to Salvado about the ongoing problem of obtaining suitable timber.  Two thousand feet of sawn timber was delivered to Fremantle but ‘according to what Fra Jose [Giuseppe Ascione] wrote to Serra, and Oriol told him later, in the whole lot there were not half a dozen pieces they could use…..Of course Fra Jose did not accept them’ (9).

Fra Jose (Brother Guiseppe Ascione) was a Neapolitan mason with extensive building experience who appears to have been acting as foreman and builder.  He and Br Oriol worked together and became good friends. Later, in 1860,  the new Administrator Fr, Martin Griver would name him as the architect and builder of his new cathedral (10).  

Brother Oriol in Fremantle 1856

Br Oriol and other Brothers continued working with Fr José and Bishop Serra on the Presbytery in 1856. During the construction various problems emerged which required Br Oriol’s attention.  On January 8, Serra discusses availability of shingles (for the roof), and claims he has already sent tools and equipment to the builders.  'Br. Oriol must be ordered to make wooden wheels for the barrows immediately (underlined). Complain to Foss [Captain Foss the supplier] that timber deliveries are slow, which discourages the workers.’ (11) 

‘

Later in the month (on 22 January) Serra writes irritably from Perth to Salvado (in Fremantle?)  with details of current and future requirements for the construction – including scaffolding, and  complains of mistakes in calculating the length of rafters for the roof and the pitch, 'It seems that Foss has supplied joists only for the flooring which will form the ceiling of the schoolroom; he is a pest… waiting for timber to be sawn seems to last an eternity’. 

And a few housekeeping notes: ‘In this delivery there are: shovels for Fr José; bed for Bro. Ventura; notebooks for Bro. Micalet; flour for Fr Constabile; and socks and underpants’. This list, ranging from a building tools to the very personal –a. bed and  sox and underpants–reflects the reality of the monastic vow of poverty. The Brothers own nothing individually and must rely on the community to provide basic essentials.  Serra's tone and regular commands to the lay brothers demonstrate another monastic vow -– obedience to superiors. It also suggests the group are  living in Fremantle probably in another rented house. 

On a more positive note,  Serra welcomes a suggestion by Br. Oriol for a balcony: 

‘Bro Oriol proposes a balcony; an excellent idea but let it be a big balcony, in proportion to the building. Perhaps one over the schoolroom and one over the entrance? A third could be added at the other end when the house is finished, to achieve symmetry.  The nuns' well needs to be cleared of sand. He (Serra) is displeased with their confessions.’ (12).

The last comment is another example of Bishop Serra clashing with the nuns (the Irish Sisters of Mercy),.who preferred Salvado as their confessor. He also disagreed with the government particularly on education policy, and his friendship with his former fellow missionary Bishop Salvado had become strained when Serra abandoned New Norcia.  

There is evidence that the difficulties of the past few  years had resulted in Serra undergoing a change of personality and he believed others were conspiring against him. His irrational feud with the Irish Sisters of Mercy  is discussed in detail by O'Brien (pp 93 -102),  His actions prompted his superior Archbishop Polding, in Sydney to write to him with advice: 'I am compelled to believe that your Lordship labours under grievous hallucinations, or has adopted a system of petty and grave persecution in furtherance of some ulterior object... You must control your temper '  He suggested Serra consult with Salvado or Fr Griver and make one his Vicar General (13) ,

Sister Ursula Frayne, Superior of the Sisters of Mercy, in Victoria Square whom Serra tried to punish by ex-communication, was worn out by Bp. Serra's constant criticism and antagonism towards herself and the Sisters of Mercy. In January 1857 she accepted an invitation to open a convent in Melbourne and left WA with two other sisters (14).  However other sisters remained in Perth.

Serra’s characteristic attention to detail and desire for control was further demonstrated in his testy directions to the builders and workers in Fremantle. On 2 April, he writes to Bro. Micalet with specific Instructions for Br. Oriol about laying the floor and constructing walls in the parlour: 

Tell Fr José that if Cloney has not finished the plastering by Saturday, he is to be paid off and sacked. Tell Bro. Oriol that, as soon as the roof is finished, he is to put in the floorboards in the room above the parlour where the fathers will sleep, and do whatever else is needed there, so that the bricklayers can put in the partition walls, with one connecting door in each allowing N-S movement, but not E-W. After that, start on the doors, windows and balconies for that room. When that is finished, move on to the room over the schoolroom and do the same.’ (15)

By 10 June they are up to the windows and Serra writes to Salvado in Fremantle stressing the need for frugality and that the Brothers should do everything they can themselves: :

Magarolas reports that, of the windows sent to Fremantle, only two are of the right size, and two remain to be made up. If it proves really necessary, Bro. Oriol could order new ones from Butler, but if the brothers can manage to do it themselves in time–by the end of the month – let them, to avoid further expense…

After a detailed discussion of how to obtain of white paint and glass, shingles and laths at the lowest possible cost from various local suppliers (including former Brother Perejuan, Messrs Leake and Shenton), Serra continues on housekeeping matters:

 An agreement has been reached with Johnston, for Eliza and her younger sister to go to Fremantle on 23rd to take over from [Brother] Magarolas, so that he can go on retreat [before beginning his probation as a novice]. Her parents and the brothers can handle the house, where there will be only ourselves and Fr Mauro [In Perth].  Fr José needs to be pushed, to ensure that he and Fr Constabile finish the bedrooms and parlour . 

The Brothers are now living in a house in Fremantle with Br Margarolas (about to leave  for the Noviciate in Subiaco)  as housekeeper / cook. Eliza continued in charge of the Fremantle establishment for the next few months. (15) 

On 9 July, Serra writes to Salvado in Fremantle, he supposes Oriol has arrived there (in Fremantle) (16). Two months later, on 22 September, Serra writes, again to Salvado this time re the movement of the wagons for Fremantle which are to return to Perth with the pine planks and Brothers belongings. Most of the Brothers will be leaving Fremantle except Br. Oriol, (who was probably there for the previous  two months] and carpenter Br. Placido.  

Bro. Oriol will have to explain to Fr José what Bro. Mathias was making for the door of Serra's room, and give him the exact measurements. As Bro. Oriol and Bro. Placido are the only ones to remain [in Fremantle], Eliza could cook enough for them, avoiding the need for a second kitchen; they could eat at the fathers' table after they have finished their meal.(17), 

Serra's reference to 'a second kitchen' is interesting. For Serra, it was essential that priests and lay Brothers (artisans) dined separately, maintaining the heirachical monastic social order even in an informal domestic situation. Note too that Serra delegates authority to Br Oriol to direct the other Brothers.

Oriol is injured and leaves Fremantle 

But Br. Oriol's time working at Fremantle was coming to an end.  Two days later, on 24 September, Serra in Perth writes to Salvado in Fremantle, that Oriol is ill and unable to work.  ‘Bro Oriol left this morning, he must have at least two days of complete rest.’  He also mentions that Fr. Jose has forgotten, among other things, ‘his wineskin’, an important accessory for some Brother artisans – those doing hard physical work were entitled to a double ration of wine (source J. Kagi). (18) 

Perth viewed from Mt. Eliza in 1850s was a small town. Yachts and river barges provided most of the transport between Perth and Fremantle. The Spring Street and William Street jetties were important staging places. The road in the foreground let to the Mt Eliza Steam Mill Depot. (1847 view of Perth by Horace Sampson, WA Art Gallery).

Br Oriol probably took a ferry/barge back to Perth and returned to the Monastery at New Subiaco to recover his health. But Serra, ever impatient, wasn't particularly sympathetic. On 3 October he is in Perth and complains to Salvado  of time wasted, supposes the ironwork for his door has been fitted, [at the Palace in Perth] and enquires rather testily after Br Oriol 'after ten days of resting his leg, he should be able to get things moving’. He supposes that the verandah will be the next job. (19) . He was referring to the verandah that Oriol had suggested for the Presbytery in Fremantle some months earlier. 

The next day (4 October 1856) Serra in Perth writes to Salvado in Fremantle:

‘Bro. Cerveró cannot find two tools he needs here, but they may be available in Fremantle: a rabbet plane and a 'framing tool'. Bro. Oriol must come back soon [to Perth], as Bro. Cerveró's frame-making cannot keep pace with the builders’. (20) 

On 17  November Serra is having discussions with Br Oriol in Perth. He asks Salvado in Fremantle: ‘Has anything been agreed with Butler about balconies and windows? Serra has an alternative offer in Perth, but Bro. Oriol advises against accepting'.  Serra seems to value Oriol’s judgement and experience (21).

From this point it is not clear if Br Oriol. is working, although he is advising Serra on Fremantle Presbytery matters, from Perth or Subiaco. Perhaps he has signalled his desire to leave the Community and is being debriefed by Serra before his departure. 

Two final mentions of Oriol: On 30 December Serra in Perth writes to Garrido in Fremantle requesting he count the number of pickets to be used for the verandah, as Bro. Oriol cannot remember how many there are (22). And from Serra in Fremantle to Salvado in Perth on 20 January, 1857, requesting the pine that Oriol had sawn to be sent to Fremantle (23). 

Br. Oriol leaves the Benedictine community 

According to New Norcia records, Br. Oriol left the Community on 15 January, 1857.

Why did he leave?  There are a number of possible reasons: one is ill health–his leg was troubling him, and it was aggravated by the demands of general carpentry e.g. laying floors and fitting doors and windows. Another is frustration –  he was after all an expert cabinet maker and his skills were not being used; he was no longer able to live the monastic lifestyle he had become accustomed to; and Serra's demands and complaints were constant as was the tension between Serra and Salvado. On the other hand he saw the example of the Brothers who had left, like John Perejuan and Jerome Rodoreda, who had established successful businesses, married, had a family and enjoyed the life of an independent colonist.  Isidro had a dream – to establish. his own business as a maker of quality furniture and start a new life in Perth.

When he left Isidro had no money. Missionaries were not paid, but he may have owned a few tools. He needed to find work at once and contacted  some ex-brothers and a few tradesmen he had met while working in Perth and Fremantle. There was the possibility of doing work for the Benedictines, who knew the quality of his work, and given his specialty in church carpentry,  for other denominations too.  

Ironically, a month after Isidro left Salvado was allowed to return to New Norcia and began the long task of restoring it to an active mission.

There are a several later references to ex-Brother Oriol in the Correspondence Summaries indicating that he did keep contact with the Salvado and the Benedictines.  The first few were regarding furniture he was making for New Norcia and there were also letters to and from Bp. Salvado concerning his connections with other ex-brothers.  Salvado  would always remain on friendly terms with the ex-Brothers.  (More details in next chapter) 

EPILOGUE:  1. The fate of the Fremantle Presbytery

The Fremantle Presbytery building, situated  near the corner of Adelaide and Parry Streets, Fremantle, constructed by the Benedictine brothers under Serra’s direction, from 1855, was completed in 1859.  As well as the priests’ house it included the school and chapel and a convent for the French Sisters of St. Joseph who had arrived with Serra in 1855 

Fremantle Presbytery & Church c.1870 (24). Note the size of the two buildings. The facilities in Fremantle were far more advanced in than most districts in the Perth Diocese or in rural areas.

Hitchcock in his History of Fremantle (1929), says that 'lay brothers trained in carpentry did much of the work. Since then the convent has been enlarged by the addition of another storey and schools have been built. Recently the old presbytery was demolished and a more ornate structure erected on its site.  The old chapel still stands but has been superseded by a new and imposing edifice built in front of it.’ (25)

In 1863 English visitor Mrs. Millett, who was not impressed by Fremantle or the Anglican church, commented in her diary:   

The Roman Catholics possess a much prettier and more ecclesiastical-looking building and their convent and clergy house are neat and tidy looking buildings. The town bears somewhat of that untidy, unfinished look inseparable from alf completed streets and unpaved footpaths. (26)

EPILOGUE 2: New Norcia becomes an independent abbey

The conflict between Serra and Salvado over the future of New Norcia and the New Subiaco Monastery continued for the next two years, until Propagation Fide finally intervened, granting Salvado’s request that New Norcia become an independent abbey within the Diocese.  In July 1859 a decree was issued appointing Salvado as superior of the Benedictine community at New Norcia with autonomy from Serra.  New Norcia would be separated both physically and spiritually from the Diocese of Perth. 

Under the terms of the decree the monks and brothers at both Subiaco and New Norcia could decide where they wanted to spend their monastic life.  Subiaco monastery, was completed only a month earlier, on 2 June, and Serra did not want its success threatened by the withdrawal of monks before it had a chance to establish itself… as soon as Serra read the decree he took umbrage and prepared to leave for Rome’. (27) 

Deeply offended,  Serra left immediately for Rome to appeal against the decision and although nominally still in charge of the Diocese of Perth, he never returned appointing Fr Martin  Griver as Administrator. However communication with Serra was unreliable as he travelled around Europe and Griver had to make many decisions himself. Serra resigned in 1862 and in September 1869, in spite of protests by the Irish bishops and clergy in the Eastern States, Griver was appointed the second Spanish Bishop of Perth (28).

 

  

New Norcia: an independent Abbey with Bishop Salvado as its superior. Sketch by an itinerent artist in 1870 (NNA )

Most of the monks and priests had decided to leave New Subiaco Monastery for New Norcia and within a few years Subiaco was deserted. This decision raised difficulties for Griver as many of the country parishes were staffed by Benedictine priests, most of whom preferred to return to New Norcia and the monastic life they had chosen than the isolation and hardship of a parish priest.  However, he was able to persuade some to stay until he could recruit others from Ireland and Europe. Repairing relations with the religious orders, particularly the Sisters of Mercy, and the Colonial Government, which had withdrawn all funding from Catholic education, would also be important tasks for Griver. (29)

The closure of Subiaco monastery took place over several years during the 1860s.  The loss of the extensive gardens had a serious effect on the monks’ food supplies at the time. (See Martelli letters passim). The buildings were later used by the Catholic Church for other purposes, including as an Industrial school and as St. Joseph's Orphanage. The building was demolished in 1969 to make way for the Catherine McAulay Centre, which includes a modern Retirement Village. A few olive trees,  a stable and school room dating from monastic times remain.

End of Chapter 4

End Notes:  

1. Girola, Stefano (Translated & Edited), Report of Rosendo Salvado to Propaganda Fide in 1883, (2015) Abbey Press, Northcote, Vic. 3071 (p.59)

2. Ibid p. 62

3. Ibid p.63 

4. Odhran O’Brien, Martin Griver Unearthed: the life of a Spanish missionary priest who became a bishop in colonial Western Australia, 1814 – 1886, (2014) St Paul’s Publications, Society of St. Paul, Strathfield N.S.W.(pp. 98-99)

5. Girola p. 63

6.  Ibid p.64

7.  Griver, Fr Martin 8 October 1855, to R. Salvado NN, 2-2234A/10A.82, NN Archives

8. O'Brien p. 88

9. J.M.B.Serra (Perth) 3/12/1855 to R. Salvado [New Norcia] 2-2234A/10A.89, NNA

10, Stibi, Sr Frances, PBVM, ‘Cathedral Construction: Building the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary’, New Norcia Studies, No 14, 2006,

 pp.1-13.(passim)

11. Serra, Perth (postmarked Fremantle) 8 January 1856 to R. Salvado Episc. Residence, Perth. 2-2234A/11.003, NNA

12. Serra, Perth, 22 January 1856, to Salvado (Fremantle ?) 2-2234A/11.01, NNA

13. Polding to Serra, 8 February 1857, The Letters of John Bede Polding OSB (pp240-241)

14.  O'Brien p.101

15.  Serra, Perth, 10 June 1856, to Bro Micalet (Fremantle?)) 2-2234A/11.073, NNA

16  Serra, Perth, 3 July 1856, to Salvado, (Fremantle) 2-2234A/11.087, NNA

17.  Serra, Perth, 22 September 1856, to Salvado (Fremantle) 2-2234A/11.123, NNA 

18  Serra, Perth, 24 September 1856, to Salvado (Fremantle) 2-2234A/11.124, NNA

19   Serra, Perth, 3 October 1856, to Salvado, (Fremantle) 2-2234A/11.131, NNA

20. Serra, Perth , 4 October 1856, to Salvado, (Fremantle) 2-2234A/11.132. NNA

21.  Serra, Perth, 17 November 1856, to Salvado, Fremantle, 2-2234A/11.155, NNA

22. Serra, Perth, 30 December 1856 to Garrido Fremantle, 2-2234A/11.16. NNA

23. Serra, Fremantle. 20 January 1857, to Salvado, Perth, 2-2234A/12.06. NNA

24. O’Brien p.140, SLWA 5770B/34

25. J.K. Hitchcock, The History of Fremantle: The Front Gate of Australia, 1829- 1929. Published by Authority of the Fremantle City Council [1929] (p.32)

26. Ibid p.46

27. O’Brien p.103

28. Ibid  pp.103-4 

29. John J. Kinder and Joshua Brown. Canon Raffaele Martelli in Western Australia, 1853 – 1864.  Life and Letters, (2014) Abbey Press, Northcote, Vic. 3070. (passim)