Daring Burglary, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 9 June 1881, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article817865:

Another daring burglary has been added to the long list of similar depredations committed in Singleton during the past eighteen months. On this occasion a priest has been the sufferer; the next building to be operated upon will therefore probably be a church. It seems that early on Sunday morning Rev. C. Fontaine, upon rising, missed his watch and several articles of jewellery, but which he subsequently discovered lying about the floor, and on further examination found that a chest of drawers had been opened, and a sum of about £7 taken therefrom. He subsequently discovered his own keys in another room occupied by the assistant priest (Rev. J. Mealey), who happened to be absent from the presbytery that night. It seems that the thief had endeavoured to open Father Mealey's chest of drawers with the keys belonging to the other priest, but failed, and in doing so had broken one of the keys. Marks of a chisel or screwdriver were also found on the drawers, but fortunately the burglar did not succeed to force them open, as a considerable sum of money thereby escaped his grasp. It is supposed that the burglar effected an entrance by climbing up the iron verandah posts on to the balcony, and from thence forced open one of the French lights which lead on to the balcony. The police arrested a man named James Russell, who resides near the R.C. Presbytery, on Monday, on suspicion of having committed the burglary. Russell was brought before the police court on Tuesday, and remanded until the following morning.

---

Ecclesiastical Changes, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 1 August 1881, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136049516:

The Rev. C. Fontaine, for many years past parish priest of the Roman Catholic Church, Singleton, has resigned his office owing to continued ill-health. Some few weeks ago the rev. gentleman was absent for a brief space on leave, in order to recruit his failing health, but unfortunately with but indifferent success. The Rev. Father Mealey, for some time curate to the Rev. Father Fontaine, has been removed to a similar position in the parish of Gunnedah, where his duties will be such as can be best undertaken by a gentleman of his active and energetic disposition. As a token of the respect and esteem entertained for them by their congregations it is proposed to present each of these rev. gentlemen with testimonials on an early date. The Rev. Father Finn, of Murrurundi, has been appointed to succeed the Rev. C. Fontaine in Singleton, while the Rev. Father Mealey's place will be filled by the Rev. Father Lynch, now of Bathurst, where he received his clerical education.—Singleton Argus.