The Very Rev. Walter Harper, M.A., Dean of the Christchurch Cathedral, is the fourteenth child of the late Bishop Harper, and was born in Berkshire, England, in 1848. He was educated at Christ's College Grammar School, and Trinity College, Oxford, graduating B.A. in 1872, and M.A. in the following year. In 1874 he was admitted to deacon's orders, was ordained priest in 1875 by the Bishop of Chester, and for two years before his return to the colony in 1876, he was curate of Bebington, in Cheshire. After his return to the colony he was appointed to the curacy of Ellesmere and held the position till 1882, when he became incumbent of St. Michael's, Christchurch. He administered that parish for eleven years, until 1893, when he was appointed Canon of Christchurch Cathedral, head of the Theological Department of Christ's College, principal of college House, and sub-dean of the Cathedral. In November, 1901, some time after the death of Dean Jacobs, he was appointed Dean of Christchurch, and installed as such on the 16th of December, 1901. He still for the present (1902) retains the position of Principal of College House. In 1875 he was married to a daughter of Mr T. A. Hope, of Bebington, Cheshire. Mrs Harper died in September, 1880, leaving one son and two daughters.