DEAN HYLAND RETURNS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16471, 6 July 1921, Page 7

DEAN HYLAND RETURNS.

A WELCOME HOME.

\ f the Rangicra Oddfellows Uall last night a large gathering ot Catholics of the Rangiora ana I.oburn districts gave tho Very Ifcv Hean Hyland a most enthusiastic welcome home, after an absence of seventeen months on a visit to the United States, Great Britain and the Continent for the benefit of his health. AVlien m the States the Dean had a recurrence of an internal complaint from winch ho had* frequently suffered severely ot late years, but after undergoing an operation at the hands of a skilful American surgeon he was completely cured, and returned to the” Dominion in perfect health. The parishioners’ esteem and affectionate regard bold by the Dean during his twenty-one years connection with the parish was evidenced by the heartiness of tho reception he met with on entering tho hall, the audience rising and singing “For He’s a Jolly (rood Follow ” and giving him three ringing cheers. On the platform with the guest ot the evening were the Rev lathers Price (Methven), Murphy (Ilawarden), Anderson (Holy Cross College, Dunedin). and Halvoy (curate of the Rangiora parish). Father Fogarty, of Ahaura, who had journeyed from the AVest Coast to bo present arrived by car at about 9.30 pm. Amongst tho invited guests were the Alayor (Mr F. B. Lane) and the Mayoress, and Air C. I. Jennings (ex- Alayor) and Airs Jennings. The first part of the evening’s proceedings consisted of a musical programme of songs by Mrs Geo. Brady and Air A. Guest, pianoforte solos‘by Misses E. Youngman and violin solos by Air T. Joyce, accompanied on the piano by Alisa Ada Joyce. The Misses D. and AI. Lynskey also gave a clever performance of step dancing. At the conclusion of the programme Air J. Catherwood conveyed the parishioners’ welcome to Dean Hyland, his remarks being endorsed with hearty applause. The Alayor then conveyed to tho Dean the felicitations of the townspeople on. his return to his parish in such good health and under the happy conditions demonstrated by the gathering. He concluded by handing the Dean a wallet well filled with bank notes, from his people as an earnest of their regard. Air Jennings also spoke regarding the general feeling of esteem entertained for Dean Hyland and expressed the hope that, the good results of his holiday would insure him many more years of service in his parish. Father Price and the other priests present their pleasure at the Dean’s return and bore testimony to his sterling worth. Air James Brady then voiced the Loburn parishioners’ welcome, and on their behalf handed t'o Dean Hyland a packet of banknotes. Air Stephen Ryan, as an old parishioner now outside the district. also spoke a few words of welcome. Dean Hyland, who received an ovation on rising, expressed his deep gratitude at the warmth of the welcome extended to him by his people and by his non-Catholic friends: and for the regard that had prompted the gifts made him. He assured th© people of his pleasure in again being amongst them, and that the display of their affectionate regard would be an incentive to him to work for their welfare even more earnestly in the future, than in the past. He expressed his warm appreciation of the earnest cooperation of his people in the past twenty-one years, without which his ministry could not have been a success Continuing, the Dean recounted at considerable length liis experiences in tho disturbed regions of Ireland, and declared that from the first hand information he had obtained, and from what he saw with his own eyes, he was convinced that the Republicans were justified in the stand they had taken, and that they could yet win their cause. A very large majority of the people of England, Scotland and America and some ot the most influential newspapers were in sympathy with them, and he was sure that if tho people of New Zealand knew the true state of affairs in Ireland their sympathy also would he extended to those who were struggling for that right and justice enjoyed in other parts of the Empire, hut denied to them. After Dean Hyland concluded his address supper was served, and the remainder of the evening was devoted to dancing.