DEATH OCCURS OF DEAN HARPER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18960, 6 January 1930, Page 10

DEATH OCCURS OF DEAN HARPER.

SrtW MANY YEARS OF SERVICE IN PROVINCE. The death occurred to-day of the Very Rev Walter Harper, formerly Dean of the Christchurch Cathedral, in his eighty-second eyar. Dean Harper was the fourteenth child of the late Bishop Harper, first Bishop of Christchurch. He was born in Berkshire, England, in 1848, and was educated at Christ’s College Grammar School and Trinity College, Oxford. He graduated as a Bachelor of Arts in 1572 and as a Master of Arts the following year. In 1874, he was admitted to deacon’s orders and was ordained as a priest in 1875 by the then Bishop of Chester. For two years, he was curate of Bebington, Cheshire. Returning to New Zealand in 1877, Dean Harper was appointed curate at Ellesmere, a position that he held until 1882, when lie became incumbent of St Michael’s, Christchurch. He administered that parish for eleven years, 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, Dean Harper was appointed Dean of Christchurch, and was installed as such on December 16, 1901. He retained the position of Principal of College House until 1903, when the Rev Charles Walter Carrington, who was to succeed Dean Harper as Dean of Christchurch, was appointed to that position. Dean Harper retained the appointment as lean until 1913, when he retired. The late dean was first married in 1875 to Miss Emily Hope, a daughter of Mr T. A. Hope, of Bebington, Cheshire. Mrs Harper died in September, 1880, leaving a son and two daughters. Twelve years ago, Dean Harper married for the second time, his wife being Miss Ross, of Montreal Street, Christchurch.