EARLY AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19889, 28 March 1930, Page 3

EARLY AUSTRALIA.

VALUABLE DOCUMENT FOUND. (Prom our own correspondent.) LONDON, February 13. Advised by Mr Light, of tho "News of the Work!," where to search for documents and some old Australian bpoks, Mr J. B. Merrett (formerly of Christchurch), who is on a visit to London, made a valuable discovery, which consists of Letters Patent appointing Dr Charles Perry to be ordained and consecrated first Bishop of tho See of Melbourne. It contains three sheets of parchment beautifully engrossed, and is in excellent condition.

Mr Merrett purchased the document which was lying in a cellar in Theobald's road. It also contains tho Lord Privy Seal of Queen Victoria, and is dated Juno 25th, 1847. The document and Seal were preserved in a leather case, and will add to the collection of Earlv. Victorian documents. Tho officials of Australia House were keenly interested, and asked that the Government should have first choice for the collection at Canberra—otherwise it is Mr.' Morrett's intention to present it to St. Paul's Cathedral or the Art Gallery, Melbourne. The Rt. Rev. Charles Perry, D.D., was born at Hackney, February 17tb, 1307. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and graduated B.A. in 1828, as Senior Wrangler and Smith's Prizeman. Ho studied for the Bar from -1828 to 1831. when he returned to Cambridge University as a tutor till 1841. He took his degree of D.D. in 1837. He was ordained deacon 1533 and priest 1836. In 1841 he married Miss Fanny Cooper, and in 1842 became incumbent of St. Paul's, Cambridge. On June 29th, 1847, he was consecrated first Bishop of Melbourne. The discovered document is dated June 27th. Bishop Perry arrived in Melbourne on January 23rd, IS4B, finding in his diocese only three clergymen of the Church of England. He had before him the heavv task of forming and organising the Church in the Colony of Victoria His abilities in so doing were signally displayed. He left Melbourne in 1874, on account of failing health, and resigned the See in 1875. In 1877 he was appointed Prelate of the Order of St. Michael and St. George During his half-hour search, Mr Merrett also discovered and purchased in the same cellar (which is practically in the heart of London) a well-preserved volume of Stockdalo's "First Vovaire of Governor Philip to BotnnvJßav." It was published on November 2otb, 1789. It is considered a valuable work, and will be presented to^Sydney.