Shipping Intelligence, The Sentinel, Sydney, 7 October 1847, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226462046:

Oct.3— The brig Sarah, 202 tons, Espinasse master, from Hongkong the 6th June, and Manila the 8th July. Passengers, Dr. Battacchi, and Rev. Dr. Barsi.

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Clearances, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 December 1847, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12898778:

December 1.—Speed, barque, 262 tons, Captain Pringle, for Valparaiso, via Newcastle and Port Cooper. Passengers—Rev. R. Barsi, [...]

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Mary Peter Damian McKinley and M. Xavier Compton, eds., The Letters of John Bede Polding OSB, Volume 2: 1844-1860, Glebe Point NSW, 1994-, p:

To: G.F. Cardinal Fransoni
Sydney
25 May 1848

I received a letter from the Prefect Apostolic of Hong Kong from which I understood that he was upset because, in my absence, my Vicar General, Dr Gregory, was unwilling to sanction on his own authority the mission to collect alms of a certain Priest and Religious named Barsi. Nay indeed, he declared, as if he had been treated injuriously, that he had a cause of complaint which had been prepared for referral to the Holy Apostolic See. Wherefore, Your Eminence, it is my duty to expose briefly the facts of the case.

In the Autumn just past (Springtime for us) Rev. Fr Barsi came with a companion, without any forewarning of their arrival and without having received any invitation. He spread it around that the reason for his coming was the Collection of Alms; he said he was also, so to speak, an Apostolic Visitor, or he insinuated that at least he had the right to inquire into the state of the Mission. The Vicar General asked for his Documents of Authorisation. He had nothing to show but a letter of recommendation from the Father Procurator.

Our mission offered Hospitality for several months to Rev. Fr Barsi. But the Vicar General prudently refused to recognise or admit on his own authority the status he had gratuitously assumed. In addition, the behaviour of that Priest was the exact antithesis of the behaviour of our Missionaries. He wore secular dress; indulged almost constantly in the habit of smoking the Nicotine Weed. His travelling companion was evidently enough a doctor whom the Vicar General did not permit to live in our house on account of his constant intoxication which caused some scandal.

Surely the cause of complaint is on our side: the Prefect Apostolic sends with full authority - but I must not speak too harshly - persons who in coming here do not give edification to the faithful; he sends them without any forewarning or invitation. Our Mission is new; the churches are few and laden with debt, and lastly, everything - Churches, Schools, Parish residences, Convents remain to be built.

For these and other items pertaining to Religion of Charity collections of alms are being conducted almost daily. I consider the explanation to be a matter of justice to my beloved and faithful Vicar General, Dr Gregory, and to my Missionaries.

With profound respect,
I am
Your Eminence's humble & most obedient Servant, John Bede Polding, OSB, Archbishop of Sydney