DEAN LANE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10065, 1 August 1925, Page 9

DEAN LANE

TRANSFERRED TO AUCKLAND

TO TAKE UP NEW DUTIES ON

AUGUST 14

After nearly 23 years’ connection with the Catholic Church in this district during which time he has been in charge of the parish, Dean Lane has received notice that he has been appointed to take charge of the Ellerslie parish and he will be leaving for Auckland in about a fortnight. During his stay in the district Dean Lane has endeared himself to a large circle of friends outside the Catholic community and lie will be greatly missed from the district. His friends, however, will rejoice to know that his work has been recognised and that Ellerslie is an important charge and a growing suburb of Auckland.

Dean Lane or Father Lane as he was then, was' appointed to Ormond parish over 22 years ago and lie has done yeoman service for the. Church in this district The Ormond parish extended right up to Motu and in those days there was no railway past Kakauroa and most of the roads were in a. very rough condition. Father Lane was compelled to make some very hazardous journeys in the course of his duties, his only mode of travelling being either by gig or on horseback. In 1906 the death of the priest who was in charge of the Gisborne parish caused a vacancy which was filled by the appointment of Father Lane, and once again there was a wide and scattered district to lie gone over, as tlio Gisborne parish at that time extended right up to Hicks Bay. Conditions on the Coast roads were oven worse .than they are to-day and, as the Dean himself said, he broke Tils arm and broke his nose travelling round, and it was really a wonder that he did not break his deck. Of recent years, however, tlie -Coast parish was separated from that of Gisborne and another priest with headquarters at Tolaga Bay appointed to the charge. it is very interesting to know that Dean Lane has now been given the charge of the Ellerslie parish, for in 1502 he held the first service which had ever been held there, the Alass being celebrated in Cairns' Hall. At that time there were only 10 Catholics living in that district, whereas at the present time the fine church accommodates nearly as many as the local church. lii going to Auckland, Dean Lane is returning to friends, for soon alter his ordination he took charge of the Oiiehunga church. coming across from Queensland for that purpose. While in charge at Oneliunga he also held services at Ellerslie. "Leaving a district with winch he has been connected tor so long a period, said Dean Lane in the course of a conversation yesterday, would mean the severing of a great many tics and ho could not help having some regrets. On tho other hand he felt that at times a change was a good thing for a parish, and the introduction of new blood might serve to even further increase the activities of the parishioners. The majority of his contemporaries were now located in Auckland, and lie looked forward with great' pleasure to seeing them again, and renewing friendships of tile past. Dean Lane will take charge of the parish of Ellerslie on August 14, so that little time is afforded him of saying farewell to his flock.