The Very Rev. Dean James Foley, S.M., of the Christchurch Catholic Cathedral, was born at Ballinahinch, County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1847. He was primarily educated at Mount Melleray by the Trappist monks, but studied rhetoric afterwards at St. Patrick's College, Thurles, and completed his ecclesiastical course at the scholasticate of the Marist Fathers, in Lower Leeston Street, Dublin, where the present Archbishop of Wellington was Professor of Dogmatic Theology. Dean Foley was ordained by the present Archbishop of Wellington at St. Mary's, Dundalk, in 1874. Six months after his ordination he removed to Sydney, New South Wales, where he ministered for six years at St. Patrick's Church. There his health was so seriously impaired by overwork that he was recommended to take a trip home. He was greatly benefited by the voyage, and came to New Zealand in 1881, accompanying Archbishop Redwood, who was then returning to Wellington. Father Foley at first took charge at Blenheim, whence, four years later, he was translated to Timaru, where he remained until 1892. In that year he was appointed to take page 201 charge of the parishes of Lincoln and Little River, where he ministered to the spiritual wants of the people until 1899. He then accompanied Bishop Grimes in conducting missions in each parish of Canterbury and the West Coast, in aid of funds for the completion of the Cathedral. Dean Foley is known as an able preacher, and is sincerely liked by all classes throughout the diocese.