OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17625, 30 November 1922, Page 9

OBITUARY.

VERY REV. DEAN HYLAJND. A painful £<-nsatjon vas c&used in Rangiora yesterday by the news that the Very Rev. Dear. Hyland had been found dead in bed at his residence, the lloman Catholic Presbytery. The Dean was apparently in the best of health on" Tuesday, when he took part in tho ceremony of opening the seven days' bazaar in aid of the Church and School building fund. He left the hall v.hen the bazaar waa closod for the night, and made no complaint of indisposition when he retired to bed at about 11 o'clock. He did not rise at his usual hour yesterday, but his housekeeper felt no anxiety concerning him, believing that having experienced a tiring day at the bazaar, ho was resting longer than was his custom. "Wherf 11 o'clock came and ho was not stirring, she went to his rc-om and was much shocked to find him in b«l quite dead. He was lying in a natural position, and it was evident that death had taken place suddenly several hoiu'3 previous to discovery, the body bcina; quite cold. A week ago the Dean had for the first time an attack of angina pectoris, and waa attended by Dr. L. B. Burnett, who being convinced that death was due to a more acute attack of tl» same disease, save a certificate, which will obviate the holding of an inauest. The late Dean Hvland, wtio was 55 years of came to Canterbury from his native place, Tipperarv, Ireland, in 1891. His first parish was Ahaura, on the West Coast. Afterwards lie was curate for a short time at Ranpora and Ashburton, and was then appointed pariah priest at lloss, Westland. Twenty-four years atjo he was transferred to the Rangiora which embraces the wide district of kaiapoi, Oxford, and Lobum. Under his care the different churches and the .Catholic Day School at Rangiora have flourished to a marked degree. His heart was thoroughly in his ministerial work, the religious instruction of the young people in tho parish receiving his special attention. Although for eomo years past he had had the assistance of a curate, Father Halvey filling that position just now, the care of so large a parish was a heavy strain, and three years ago he was compelled to take a holiday trip to Europe for the benefit of his health. When passing through, the United States he was taken seriously ill, but after undergoing a critical operation he recovered, and liad enjoyed th© best of health up to the time of his death. On his return to his parish he entered into his work with renewed zeal, and only recently commenced the carrying out of a project to make additions to both the Rangiora Church and school, made necessary by increased attendance, the raising of a sum of about £2(XX) being necessary to meet the ccst of the work. It was characteristic of his faith in his congregation that he accepted a tender for the work, with only £5 in hand towards the building fund. Dean Hyland was of a genial and kindly disposition, and was much beloved by his people in whose individual welfare h© took a deep interest. He was also held in high esteem by his numerous personal friends amongst the townspeople, and fla£B were flown at half mast yesterday in taken of respect. The funeral will take place to-mor-row morning at 11 o'clock. lu consequence of the Dean's death the bazaar which was to have remained open until Tuesday next, has been closed until Saturday afternoon. At a meeting of the congregation of the Rangiora Presbyterian Church held last evening the Rer. "VV. H. Howes made reference in very sincere terms of regret to the death of Dean Hyland, and moved that an expression' of deep sympathy at the lo3s of their spiritual advisor in so sudden a manner be conveyed to the Reman Catholio Church congregation. The motion was carried "in the customary manner.