The Very Rev. Stephen Cummings, sometime Vicar-General of the Christchurch diocese, was born in London, and at an early age was sent to the Marist College of Dundalk, in Ireland, where he distinguished himself for his studies in ecclesiastical science. From Dundalk he proceeded to Lyons, in France, where he completed his studies in philosophy and theology. After spending six years on the London Mission, labouring chiefly among the Irish poor of that city, he sailed for Sydney in 1885, and there spent three years in giving missions and retreats. He afterwards became a prominent worker in the diocese of Christchurch. More than once Father Cummings was complimented by Bishop Grimes for the Zeal and ability with which he administered the diocese in his absence, and as the Bishop's absence is necessarily frequent, the Vicar-General's office is not a sinecure. In fact, Father Cummings' health more than once broke down under the strain of his duties. He was a man of a most genial disposition, and his foresight and tact, and his popularity, secured the success of the numerous undertakings necessary to the progress of his church's work within the diocese. Father Cummings died at St. Anne's, London in January, 1899.