St. Francis Xavier's Hall, South Australian Advertiser, Adelaide, 16 August 1865, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31852603:

The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the St. Francis Xavier's Hall, in connection with the Catholic Institute, took place on Assumption Day, August 15. Prior to the ceremony proper, High Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral, the Rev. T. Bomgaerts officiated as High Priest, the Rev. Michael O'Connor as Deacon, the Rev. Chas. von der Heyde as Sub-Deacon, and the Rev. P. T. Russell as Master of Ceremonies. The mass having been concluded, the above named rev. gentlemen conducted the Very Rev. John Smyth Administrator Apostolic to the area adjoining the Cathedral eastward, where the new Hall will stand. [...]

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Wallaroo, South Australian Register, Adelaide, 19 July 1866, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41029018:

[From the Wallaroo Times, Julv 18.]
On Sunday, July 15, the new church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kadina, was solemnly dedicated by the Administrator Apostolic, the Very Rev. J. Smyth. [...]

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Consecration of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Adelaide, South Australian Register, Adelaide, 20 August 1866, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41030445:

The Very Rev. Dr Forrest, of St. John's College, Sydney, officiated as chaplain to Bishop Eloi, and the Very Rev. Dr. Smyth, Vicar-General of Adelaide, in the same capacity to the Right Rev. Dr. Shiel.

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Presentation to the Very Rev. John Smyth, The Express and Telegraph, Adelaide, 12 January 1869, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207739750:

On Sunday last, shortly after the Bishop and Clergy had returned from the opening services of St. Laurence's Church, another interesting ceremony took place at the Bishop's house, West-terrace. It was the presentation of an address and testimonial from the clergy of the diocese to the Very Rev. J. Smyth, V.G., by those of their number who were then in town. The Ven. Archdeacon Russell, on behalf of all, expressed his feelings towards the Vicar-General, and read the address, and presented the testimonial. The latter was a splendid gold snuff box, made by Mr. Firnhaber, of this city, composed entirely of Barossa gold, and weighing 5 1/4 ozs. It contained 50 sovereigns. The lid was very prettily ornamented, and bore a cross, immediately over which was a dove bearing an olive branch, the whole, including the inscription, being encircled by a wreath of fern and shamrock leaves entwined. At the ends of the box were representations of the setting sun, and the Irish oak and harp, which were encircled by a wreath similar to the above. On the lid of this little souvenir is the following inscription:—"Presented to the Very Rev. John Smyth, Vicar-General, from the clergy of the diocese of Adelaide, January 10, 1869." In addition to the ornamentation at the ends of the box was the following sentence:—"Erin Mavourneen, Erin go Bragh." The Vicar- General read an appropriate reply. The following are copies of both the address and reply:—

"To the Very Rev. John Smyth, Vicar- General of the Diocese of Adelaide.
"Very Rev. Dear Father Smyth—We take the opportunity of His Lordship the Bishop's return from Europe to testify to you our grateful sense of the manner in which you have administered the affairs of the diocese during his absence. The period of 16 years, during which you have so zealously labored in the colony, has secured affection for your character, and admiration for your abilities from all classes of the community. But we, the clergy of Adelaide, have especial reasons for testifying our sense of your high qualifications. For more than two years you have held the important office of Apostolic Administrator, and for another period of two years the equally responsible office of Vicar-General of the Diocese, during which time the whole of the clergy can most affectionately testify that your administration has been so delicately considerate of them and their charges, that it has endeared you to them in a most lasting manner. We feel that the ordinary expressions of an address can but very inadequately characterise the feeling which has grown up between you, as the Bishop's representative, and us as the clergy of the diocese. We desire, however, at least to give some public utterance to it, and to express a hope that the present union and good feeling, which is so much due to your personal influence, may continue always. We present you the accompanying testimonial as a memento of the sincere regard we feel for you, both as a superior and a brother priest.—We are, &c., Peter Hughes, J. E. Tenison Woods, Frederick Byrne, Christopher Augustine Reynolds, Theodore Bongaerts, Charles M. Van der. Heyden, Michael O'Connor, William Kennedy, Timothy Murphy, James Quinlan, James A. Noulan, O.S.A., Modestus Henderson, Michael Kennedy, John Carden, Joseph Tappeiner, S.J. (for the Fathers of the Society of Jesus), Patrick T. Russell, Archdeacon."

"Very Rev. and Rev. Brothers—I assure you from my heart that I scarcely know what terms to use in reply to your very flattering address. You have epitomised the last 16 years of my life, and in doing so I greatly fear your kindness and goodwill towards me have caused you to overlook many defects, and to over-estimate both myself and my work during that period. It was the will of Divine Providence that the management of this diocese should be placed in my hands for nearly two years. I can never forget your generous co-operation with me in all my undertakings during that time. You vied with one another in lightening the burden and lessening the responsibilities of my administration, and I must say that, whatever success may have crowned my efforts for the welfare of the Church in South Australia was mainly due to the zeal and ready obedience with which you carried out my every wish. During His Lordship's absence in Europe lately your kindness to me and your anxious zeal for the welfare of the Church and for the glory of God, were in perfect keeping with your conduct during the former period of my administration. I have always thought there is not a diocese in the Church of God blessed with a more cordially united and brotherly priesthood than this of Adelaide; and I have always experienced the truth of the saying —'Quam bonum et jucundum habitare fratres in unum.' With you, I hope and pray that this state of things may last for ever. While I thank you for your chastely elegant and costly testimonial, allow me to say that I shall treasure it, not so much for its rich material and classic beauty, as for the fact that it shall always remind me that I possess the esteem and affection of such men as the priests of South Australia.
"John Smyth, V.G."

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Died, Express and Telegraph, Adelaide, 30 June 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207721863:

Smyth.—On the 30th June, the Very Rev. John Smyth, V.G. of Adelaide, aged 46. Of your charity pray for the repose of his soul.

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Death of the Roman Catholic Vicar-General, Evening Journal, Adelaide, 30 June 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732180:

We much regret to have to announce the death of the Very Rev. John Smyth, Vicar- General, which took place at the Bishop's- Palace, West-terrace, on Thursday morning, June 30.

The rev. gentleman was born in 1824 at Kilmore, near Castle Pollard, County Westmeath, Ireland. He received his elementary education at Mr. Brady's Classical School, Cavan, from which he went to the Diocesan Seminary of Navan in 1846. The following year he entered the College of the Propaganda at Rome, and was ordained as priest on June 10, 1852, and arrived in South Australia in May, 1853. After the death of the late Bishop, Dr. Geoghegan, he was appointed Administrator Apostolic, which important position he retained until the arrival of the present Bishop, Dr. Shiel, who made him his Vicar-General, a dignity held by him until his death. Since his arrival he has been stationed in Adelaide, but often visited the country districts on the occasion of the opening or laying foundation-stones of churches, and a year or two ago he accompanied the Bishop to the Provincial Synod in Melbourne, of which he was appointed Secretary. He has been in ill-health for the last three months, and only took short walks and drives, although we believe on two or three occasions when he felt somewhat better he preached at the Cathedral. By the last mail but one he received news of his father's death, which grieved him much, and since then he became seriously ill, although no danger was anticipated even up till Wednesday evening. A change for the worse, however, took place in the night, and he expired at a quarter to 7 on Thursday morning, the cause of death being apoplexy. His medical attendants were Drs. Gunson and Butler.

The Roman Catholics of the colony have by this sad event sustained a very great loss— a loss that cannot be expressed in mere words. The Vicar-General had by his conscientiousness, uniform kindness, and tender regard for the feelings of those with whom he came in contact, won the affection of every member of the clergy and laity. Almost from the moment of Bishop Murphy's death he has discharged the chief duties of the Diocese—filling at one time the position of Apostolic Administrator—and such was his admirable tact and ability that he secured the goodwill of everybody, and never knowingly gave occasion for offence. By the last or preceding mail he received intelligence from Bishop Shiel that His Lordship intended leaving for Adelaide in order to give him a few months' cessation from toil, and an opportunity of visiting his native land. This news gave him much satisfaction, and he was heard to remark that it would be one of the greatest joys of his life to see his mother once more before she died, and also to be present at the OEcumenical Council before its sittings were closed.

Vicar-General Smyth was known and respected beyond the pale of his own Church, having taken an active part in matters affecting the well-being of the colony. As a preacher and platform orator, he possessed an amount of eloquence and earnestness that were always effective. His speeches on the occasion of the public meetings respecting the wreck of the Admella and the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh, and also his funeral sermon upon the late Sir Dominic Daly, will long be remembered for their fervid and powerful oratory.

The great bell of the Cathedral tolled this morning in memory of the deceased, whose death will be so generally lamented. We understand the body will be taken at about 9 o'clock this evening to the Cathedral, where it will lie in state until Saturday, when the funeral will take place. The procession will leave the Cathedral at 2 o'clock for the West-terrace Cemetery.

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Death of the Very Rev. Father Smyth, V.G., The Irish Harp and Farmers' Herald, Adelaide, 2 July 1870, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224542251:

Death of the Very Rev. Father Smyth, V.G. With feelings of deep regret we have to announce the death of the Very Rev. John Smyth, Vicar-General of this diocese who died of apoplexy at West-terrace on Thursday morning, June 30th, in his 47th year. The rev. gentleman was born at Kilmore, near Castle Pollard, County Westmeath, in the year 1824. He received his elementary education at Mr. Brady's Classical School, Cavan, from which he was sent to the Diocesan Seminary of Navan, in the County of Meath, in the year 1846. The following year he left the Seminary and entered the College of the Propaganda, in Rome, where he studied theology and philosophy with consideral eclat. He was ordained Priest in the year 1852 by Cardinal Patrizi, the Pope's Vicar-General, after which he returned to Ireland for the purpose of bidding farewell to his parents previous to his departure for Australia, where he arrived in May, 1853. At that time the diocese was very destitute of clergymen, and his timely arrival therefore was hailed with joy throughout the diocese. On the death of Dr. Geoghegan, the second Bishop of Adelaide, Father Smyth was appointed by the Holy See Administrator Apostolic, which responsible and important position he held till the consecration of our present Bishop, Dr. Shiel, who was so well satisfied with his faithful and prudent administration of the affairs of the diocese that he appointed him his Vicar-General, the duties of which office he was engaged in discharging up to the time of his death. The rev. gentleman had been in failing health for some months past, but was not taken seriously ill till Sunday last, when he was seized with a severe apoplectic fit. On Tuesday most alarming symptoms set in, and telegrams were sent to several of the clergymen in the country districts, summoning them to town. On Wednesday evening he seemed to rally, and hopes were entertained of his recovery, but alas ! it was but the temporary relief which not unfrequently precedes the final dissolution. On the following morning, at a quarter before 7 o'clock, the rev. gentleman expired with an expression of placid resignation on his features, which seemed to denote his anticipation of the future happiness in store for him. As soon as the melancholy intelligence was made known that our beloved Vicar-General was no more, a gloom seemed to be cast over the whole Catholic community, and many expressions of regret and sympathy were heard from persons of various denominations who had learned to esteem him for his many excellent qualities as a citizen, In truth, we scarcely think it possible that Father Smyth can have left any enemies behind him. As a priest, he was beloved by his flock ; as a scholar and a gentleman, he was respected by all who knew him. For many years past, except during the short intervals of Bishop Shiel's presence amongst us, he had to perform all the onerous and responsible administrative duties of a Bishop, in which he not only gave satisfaction to his ecclesiastical superiors, but succeeded in gaining the confidence and esteem of his clerical coadjutors. As a preacher, Father Smyth was distinguished for a ready flow of language, combined with an earnest eloquence, which went straight to On this Page 5 Scroll to previous page the hearts of his hearers. In his denunciations of vice he was stern and uncompromising, and his burning words were those of a man fired with a holy indignation. In his exhortations to virtue there was a winning pathos, which could not fail to touch the hearts of his hearers. It has been often and truly observed that there was something in Father Smyth's oratory which was essentially and peculiarly his own. It was at the same time original and inimitable, Most of our readers will remember the impression he made upon the citizens of Adelaide when at a public meeting held in the Town Hall he denounced the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh. "I feel personally injured," said he, " by the assassin. He had no right to bring blood on my adopted country." His speech, too, on another occasion, viz., at a meeting held to discuss the principles of the Marriage Bill, will not readily be forgotten, nor his eloquent oration at the obsequies of our late lamented Governor Sir Dominick Daly. But Father Smyth will be remembered among the Catholics of this diocese for much more than his qualities as an administrator, a priest, and an orator. Those who had the happiness to know him intimately not only revered him as a priest who had consecrated his life to the service of God, but loved him as a friend and a father. The genial kindness of his heart was illustrated by a winning gentleness of manner which rendered him accessible to the most timid child, and endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Indeed, it may truly be said that the pathetic eloquence with which on several occasions he pleaded the cause of the widows and orphans, was reflected and exemplified in almost every action of his life. While he was ever ready to console the afflicted, and his hand was constantly outstretched to relieve any cases of distress which came under his notice, he was never known willingly or intentionally to have offered a slight to any one. So tenderhearted was he in this respect that if at any time he had the slightest misgiving lest he should have uttered a word which might hurt the feelings of anyone, however humble he might be, he would hasten with tears in his eyes to assure him of the innocence of his intention. Need we say more to show the genuine goodness and tenderness of his heart. We are sure that we need not, for the name of "Father Smyth" is enshrined in the hearts of his flock, from the highest to the lowest, and as his beloved remains are conveyed from S. Francis Xavier's Cathedral to their last resting place there will not be a Catholic, man, woman, or child, who will not from the depth of his heart echo the prayer, "Requiem aeternam dona ei Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei."

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Funeral Obsequies of the Late Vicar-General, The Irish Harp and Farmers' Herald, Adelaide, 9 July 1870, pp 5-6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224541630:

The beloved remains of the Very Rev. Father Smyth were conveyed to their last resting place on Saturday, July 2nd. The service consisted of the Office for the Dead, which commenced in S. Francis Xavier's Cathedral at 11 o'clock, and Requiem High Mass, which was celebrated by the Very Rev. C. A. Reynolds ; the Rev. Father Hughes being Deacon, Father Byrnes Sub- Deacon, and the Archdeacon Master of the Ceremonies. The building was densely crowded, and the altar seats, organ loft, pulpit and pillars were all hung with black. A large proportion of the congregation also wore the habiliments of mourning. At 11 o'clock a procession of acolytes and priests entered the Cathedral, and the Fathers having taken their seats around the catafalque, on which the coffin rested, the Office of the Dead began. There were 20 priests present, viz., the Ven. Archdeacon Russell, the Rev. Fathers Reynolds, Woods, Bongaerts, Hughes, Byrne, Nowlan, O.S.A., Hinterocker, S.J., Polk, S.J., Strele, S.F., Maher, Quinlan, Horan, 0.S.J., M. Kennedy, W. Kennedy, Roche, Von der Heyden, Nevin, Murphy, McClosky. Mass then celebrated which being concluded, the Rev. Father Tappeiner, S.J., ascended the pulpit and preached the funeral sermon from the text "They that have instructed many unto Justice shall shine as the stars in the Kingdom of Heaven unto all eternity." With these inspired words he intended to convey some consolation to them, in the assurance that he who had departed from them had not departed from them for ever. He should shine like the stars, because he had instructed many, as they could all bear witness, and had labored hard for their salvation. It was a mournful task that had fallen upon him, that he should bring to them the consolation which he himself needed. How unsearchable were the counsels of the Almighty! Many a time he had thought that their brother would have officiated at his funeral obsequies, because he considered that in the course of nature he was nearer his destination. It was, therefore, all the more painful to have to witness his departure, and to have to speak to them when he knew not how to subdue his own grief. They had lost a dear friend—one who had done much for them—and their sorrow was amply justified ; but what they had lost he had lost also. They had lost one with whom they had been acquainted so long, and from whom they had never received anything but kindness. They had lost one whose zeal for the house of God they could not but admire, and he had lost the same. They had lost one who tenderly loved them, because this was one of his distinguishing qualities— the love of his people, the love of his flock— of whom he so often spoke, and whose salvation he had so much at heart that he would never hear anything against them. They had often seen his features moved with visible indignation when he heard something that was said against his people. Upon one occasion, when he was informed that some reports were spread abroad to the derogation of his flock, he indignantly repudiated it, saying, "It is a libel upon my people ; I will not hear it." He took no notice about anything said of himself, but when anything was imputed against his flock he could not bear it. He thought they could, therefore, apply the words of the prophet to him who had been so loved by his people, and who prayed so much for the cause of the Church. He was the lover of them. He had them more at heart than they thought themselves. There was nothing he spoke or thought so much about in the world as the welfare of his flock, and they were witnesses that he never spared himself. He always labored hard, and although charged with the most responsible duties, he never refused the calls of the humblest of his flock—regarding this as one of the true signs of a follower of the Good Shepherd. He need not detail to them all that he had done during these 17 years and more. Many of them had been with him all that time, and could bear witness to the frequency with which from that place he had warned them of their sins, entreated them to follow Jesus, and prepare themselves for Heaven. His loving and tender voice would be silent now, but let them take this consolation—he would shine, as they confidently hoped, like the lights of Heaven ; he would shine among those who had labored for their fellow-creatures, and who had given their lives for them. He had certainly given his life for his flock, for he had nothing else in view ; and although he might have done much for his own personal advantage, yet he had not done it. The liberality of his people which he had invariably praised, he had always returned to them again. It was most touching to hear their departed brother give expression to the hope which had been filling his mind latterly, that he should soon be able to go home and see his father and mother. Now, what had become of the liberality which they had evinced towards him ? He On this Page 6 Scroll to previous page had returned it all to them—to their poor, to their orphans; to their sick, and to their churches. He had followed the example of the good Shepherd, and gave his life for the sheep. Might they not therefore say, "He would shine like the stars of Heaven." How often he had led his sheep to their Creator in the tribunal of penance they could testify, and how many thousands had been restored to the ways of grace the confessional would reveal, could it speak. How many blessings had been received through his instrumentality no one could tell except the Revealer of Secrets. They would hear his sweet words of consolation no more. That noble soul which had devoted itself for their welfare had gone for ever—but not for ever, because there would be a day when those who had followed his advice would meet him again. They were not, therefore, like those who were without hope. His heart was among them, and his labors were spent among them, and therefore he was not astonished that they had come there to show their respect and gratitude to one who had been their father for so many years. Having done so much for his flock upon earth, would he, now he had arrived at his destination, forget them there? No ; he would still pray for the whole city—that city for the sanctification of which he had interested himself so much. While admitting the justice of the Almighty in this dispensation of His providence, they should not forget to console themselves with the thought that the sooner their brother appeared at the side of their Heavenly Father the sooner would they have one more in Heaven to intercede for them, and to stimulate them to follow the good steps of those who had led the way to that blessed abode. He loved his people, and especially the poor of Christ ; and it was also well known how much he had interested himself on behalf of the widows and orphans. The rich had the wherewithal to help themselves, but the poor were left as a heritage to the ministers of God. For these and for the little ones his labors were incessant. What would they do now he was gone ? Would they have another friend like him? There were doubtless many who understood the ways of God, and who knew what a great thing it was to work for the poor of Christ ; but they could not forget the great devotion which he had for this work. Certainly the prayers of these poor ones and orphans would follow him. How many of them had been saved from the road of corruption and perdition God alone could tell. At all events he saved as many as he could ; and they all knew how happy he was whenever he was successful in bringing one back from the ways of sin. To him the words "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is in Heaven," would apply, and most certainly would his virtues be recognized in the Book of Life. He was a lover, too, of his Holy Church, and in this they saw another distinguishing quality of his noble character. He took great interest and pleasure in anything that regarded the welfare of the Church, and whatever he could do for the propagation of her principles was his happiness. It was his pride to relate what had been done during his time in his poor diocese, as he had called it, and as it might be termed when he arrived here. He had been interested in the opening or laying the foundation-stone of over 100 churches, and when he referred to this fact a short time ago a smile of more than natural joy was visible on his face. He was delighted to see the progress the Church had made during his time. He loved the house of God, and the words of the prophet might be applied to him, for there was nothing he loved so much as the beauty of the house of God. He would surmount every inconvenience, and deny himself in every possible way in order to anything for the house of God. No country chapel was too small or insignificant to claim his interest; and now he had been transferred to that everlasting dwelling which was prepared for those that loved the Lord, was it likely he would forget those churches which had been raised before his eyes ? No; although their benefactor and greatest friend had departed, he would still bear them on his memory. Let them therefore thank the Almighty that he had given them so many blessings through the instrumentality of him, who through the grace of God had done so much for this remote part of the Lord's vineyard. They could not forget this, and it would be well for them to keep alive in the memories of their children the works of faith and labors of love which their departed brother had done. His fellow laborers had lost not only a friend but a father. He could read the grief in their faces at the stroke which had befallen them. It was especially painful for them just now when their Bishop was in another part of the globe, for they did not know whom to turn to for fatherly advice and counsel. They could hardly imagine how they would go on without the kindness and loving direction wbich they had received from him ; they were like sheep without a shepherd. They could not yet realise the hard blow they had received. They must, however, remember that he had been the means of bringing many to life, and pray that he would bring his consolation to them, and that he would assist them to work together with unanimity and zeal. In following the remains of their departed brother to the grave let them be consoled with the thought that his soul would go to Heaven, and let it stimulate them to follow his good and holy life. The rev. father evidently experienced considerable difficulty in restraining his emotion during the delivery of his pathetic and touching discourse ; and the expressions of grief among the congregation frequently became audible ; but at the close of the service, when the coffin was being nailed down, the hitherto pent-up feelings of the people burst beyond control, and the lamentations of the departed became loud, and frequent. The coffin was borne from the Cathedral to the hearse, through a line of soldiers, and the procession was arranged in the following order:—
Crossbearer.
Orphan Girls.
Orphan Boys.
School Girls.
School Boys.
Priests.
Drs. Gunson and Butler.
The Hearse.
The Brothers of the Deceased, Messrs. Edward James and Thomas Smyth.
The 18th Royal Irish.
The Benefit and Young Men's Societies.
Gentlemen and Ladies on foot.
Mourning Coaches.
The Carriage of His Excellency the Governor.
Carriages and Vehicles.
The procession, which was three-quarters of a mile in length, left the Cathedral a little before 2 o'clock, as the Murphy bell tolled, and went by way of Franklin-street and West-terrace to the Catholic Cemetery. Immense numbers of people thronged the streets on either side of the procession, and it is calculated that at the time of the hearse reaching the Cemetery there could not have been less than three thousand persons present. A large number of persons, before leaving the Cemetery, glanced long and lovingly at the coffin which contained the beloved remains of one whose name has long been a household word among the Catholics of South Australia. [...]

Memorial to the late Vicar-General

Pursuant to an announcement from the pulpit on Sunday, July 3, a large gathering of Catholic laity took place at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at St. Francis Xavier's Hall. The Ven. Archdeacon Russell took the chair, and informed the meeting that he had called its members together to consider in what way they could best show their respect to the memory of the late Vicar-General. Mr. E. J. Peake, in an eloquent speech, referred to the love of all classes of the community for their late Vicar-general, and suggested that, as funds would be required for the erection of any memorial, they should not consist of the large offerings of the wealthy few, but should be raised among that class of which Father Smyth was more particularly the beloved pastor. Dr. Gunson was elected by the meeting as Treasurer of the Memorial Fund, and Messrs. J. W. Egan and Malcolm H. Davis were nominated joint Honorary Secretaries. It was then resolved that a Committee of twenty-five members be appointed, with power to add to their number, and that this Committee report to the general meeting of the whole Catholic body it was proposed to call on Sunday next. The following gentlemen being elected as the Committee, the meeting, after a vote of thanks to the venerable Chairman, dissolved [...]

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The Smyth Memorial Chapel, The Irish Harp and Farmers' Herald, Adelaide, 28 October 1871, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224362968:

The mortuary chapel erected in the Catholic Cemetery, West-terrace, in memory of the late Very Rev. Dr. John Smyth, V.A., was solemnly opened on Sunday afternoon, October 21, by His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Shiel, in the presence of a very large assemblage of spectators. His Lordship was assisted by the Rev. Fathers Horan, A.S.F., Murphy, Kennedy, Hughes, Nolan, O.S.A. McCloskey, and Nevin. The ceremony was commenced by a circuit of the exterior of the edifice, after which a similar circuit was made of the interior. The building then received his Lordship's blessing in accordance with the ritual. The Litany of the Saints having been repeated, the sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Hoarn, who selected as his text the words, "Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are," John, ch. xvii., v. 11. In concluding an earnest and eloquent discourse, the rev. gentleman said he addressed his hearers as the spiritual children of a father who had devoted his life and talents to the promotion of their eternal interests, and from the large meeting of Catholics there that day he was convinced that they had not for- gotten him. No ; the name of Father Smyth would be transmitted from themselves to their children's children, and erection of that memorial chapel was a visible proof of their love for and appreciation of him, and one which in after generations would call to rememberance the name and merits of one of the best and noblest priests who had set foot upon South Australian soil. The chapel, he stated, was not yet finished in all its details, and they would be called upon to fill up their measure of gratitude by contributing to the memorial, which, without vestments, candlesticks, chalices, &c., would not be complete. He reminded them also that the opportunity would be afforded of having the Mass celebrated in that chapel for departed friends, and exhorted them to stimulate themselves to fraternal charitableness, and to pray for God's mercy upon the souls of loved ones who had departed. The collection was then made, and announced by Mr. E.J. Peake, S.M., as having realised £27 1s. The assemblage having received his Lordship's blessing, the proceedings terminated. The chapel, which is of octagonal shape, presents a very pleasing appearance. The design of Mr. E.J. Woods has been satisfactorily carried out by the builders, Messrs. Peters and Jones, the contract price being nearly £500.