'The Chaplet', South Australian Register, Adelaide, 3 May 1871, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39241929:

This Roman Catholic monthly has been enlarged to the size of its predecessor the Southern Cross, and a copy of the issue, dated April 29, has been received. From it we glean the following items :— Bishop Sheil, who on account of delicate health left for Melbourne on April 11, is expected back within a few days. [...] During the month several changes have taken place in the clerical staff of the diocese. The Rev. J. Quinlan is now stationed in Willunga, and the Rev. M. Kennedy in Adelaide. The Rev. P. Byrne goes to Mount Barker with the Rev. J. Maher, and the Rev. P. Corcoran to Kadina in place of Father Quinlan.

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Clerical Changes, The Irish Harp and Farmers' Herald, Adelaide, 1 June 1872, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224364273:

[...] and the Rev. J. Maher from Mount Barker to St. Francis Xavier's Seminary, Adelaide, in room of the Rev. B. Nevin, who resigned on account of ill-health.

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Dr. Maher Dead. Bishop of Port Augusta, The Express and Telegraph, Adelaide, 21 December 1905, p 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208790859:

Archbishop O'Reily received a telegram on Wednesday, which stated that Dr James Maher, Bishop of Port Augusta, had died at 10 o'clock that morning at his residence, Pekina, near Orroroo, after a long and painful illness. The sad event was not unexpected, but it is none the less a subject of great grief to Catholics, not only in the Port Augusta diocese, but throughout the State. Dr. O'Reily, who was the first Bishop of Port Augusta, will leave Adelaide for Petersburg by the Broken Hill express this afternoon, and will drive across to Pekina with the object of attending the late prelate's funeral, which takes place on Friday.

The late Dr. Maher was born in Ballyneil, Tipperary, Ireland, and was educated at Mount Mellaray Grammar School and at St. John's, Waterford. He was ordained priest at Maynooth Catholic College in 1868, and arrived in South Australia at the close of that year. He was stationed at Kadina, Mount Barker, Adelaide, and Kapunda before going to Pekina. When the Port Augusta diocese was formed Dr. O'Reily, on assuming charge as bishop in 1887, appointed Dr. Maher Vicar-General. Upon Dr. O'Reily being appointed Archbishop of Adelaide he appointed Dr. Maher administrator of the diocese. The meeting of priests held at Port Augusta to recommend a successor nominated Dr. Maher, and he was appointed bishop by the late Pope. Dr. Maher attended the Plenary Council in Sydney in November, 1895. He had just entered his 63rd year. His niece is in the Dominican Convent at Kapunda. While at Kapunda Dr. Maher cleared the church of all debt and greatly beautified it.

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Born: 6/7/1840 in Co Wexford, Ireland.
Ordained: Maynooth.
Arrived in Adelaide in December, 1868.
Assistant Priest at Kadina. Became Parish Priest of Pekina in 1881.
First Vicar General of the Diocese of Port Augusta 1890.
Ordained Second Bishop of the diocese of Port Augusta on 26/4/1896 at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral, Adelaide. As Bishop he depended heavily on his Vicar General, John Norton. He wrote to him practically every day. Continued to live at Pekina until his death.
Died: 20/12/1905. Aged 65. Buried at Pekina (Church Yard). His funeral cost 55 pounds and eight pence.