OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12378, 18 December 1905, Page 8

OBITUARY.

THE LATE DEAN FOLEY. Intelligence was received laqb night of the death of Dean Foley at Auckland, an event which. was not' unexpected. Dean Foley was born in - the archdiocese of Cashel, Ireland, in 1847. His preliminary studies for the priesthood took place in the great missionary seminary of Melary, in the South of Ireland. The higher course was taken by the Dean at St. Mary's College, Dundalk, and his theological studies at the Marist Fathers' Scholaeticate, Leeson street, Dublin. Having joined the Society of Mary, he made his religious profession on the 3Uth August, 1847, and was ordained priest in the following year. During hie youth he was never robust, and medical men advised hie. superiors to send him to a better climate than that of the British Isles- ■ - Accordingly ho camo to Australia, and worked for aix years in St. Patrick's parish, Sydney. Subsequently he paid a visit to the Old Country, and on his return came to New Zealand, and was located at Blenheim, where he epent some years. He was then appointed to the charge of 'Timaru, vrhere he .remained till 1682. In this year, at his own request, feeling the onerous duties of a large parish like Timaru too great a task, he was transferred. to the smaller district of Lincoln. Everywhere he endeared himself to the people by his great tenderness of eoul, hie priestly zeal, and whoje heartednese in the discharge of his many duties. Hβ took a warm and active interest in the foundation and progress of that noble institution,' Mount Magdala and that of Nazareth House. To relieve the Bishop of the task of a visit to the Chatham Islands/ Dean Foley undertook it, and made many friends there by his fine qualities. On his return he volunteered to help the Bishop in giving miesdons throughout the scattered diocese of- Christchuroh, the wiholo of Canterbury, Westland, and part of Marlborough, preaching in and visiting the remotest districts. In the work of the erection of the Cathedral he also took a leading part, and no one will forget his fervent appeals on behalf of the Cathedral whitstin course of construction. In one of hie last, Jetters he expressed the hone that he might be spared to devote himself anew to the work of striving to collect. Whilst working in Temuka the Dean contracted the illness which ultimately earned him off. For come time he was medically attended in Christchurch, but ultimately he went to Rotoraa, it being thought that ihe baths there would be beneficial. " The Dean eubsequently went to Auckland, where he was devotedly nursed. For a while hopes were entertained of hie recovery, but on Thuraday - .last the Bishop received a telegram stating that he was slowly sinking. He died last night about eleven, o'clock. The-body, will be brought to Christchuroh, arriving here on Wednesday. t It is not known yet whether tho interment will take place here or at Temuka, as the Bishop is away from town. ' .