The Rev. Alfred Walter Averill, M.A., Vicar of St. Michael's, was born in 1865 at Stafford, England. He was educated at King Edward the VI.'s Grammar School, and studied afterwards at St. John's College, Oxford, where he took his B.A. degree in 1887, and his M.A. in 1891. On leaving Oxford Mr. Averill pursued his theological studies at Ely Theological College. He was ordained deacon at St. Paul's Cathedral by the present Archbishop of Canterbury, then Bishop of London, and was appointed curate at St. George's Church, Hanover Square, where he remained till 1891. His next appointment was that of curate of Holy Trinity Church, Dulston, and he continued there until 1894, when, having been offered the appointment of vicar of St. Michael and All Angels Church, Christchurch, he came to New Zealand and took charge.