ROLLAND, JEAN BAPTISTE (1834-1903) was born in the department of Meuse, France, and educated at the seminary of Verdun. On being ordained, he chose to enter the foreign mission field, and joining the Society of Mary (1861), he came to Sydney (1863) and to New Zealand the following year. After being assistant to Father Forrest at Napier, he was transferred to Taranaki, where he did fine service amongst both races for eight years, and established a monastery for lay brothers at Koru. As a chaplain he went through the campaign against Titokowaru and showed great gallantry at the battles of Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu in attending to the wounded under heavy fire. He was afterwards on two occasions stationed on the West Coast of the South Island. On being sent there finally he was stationed at Ahaura for eight years, in which time he paid off a parochial debt of £1,000 and maintained a very efficient school (at which Mr Justice O'Regan was educated). His remaining years he spent at Reefton, where he died on 13 Jul 1903.

Cycl. N.Z., v (p); Gudgeon; Cowan, ii; Grey River Argus, 14 Jul 1903; Marist Messenger, 1 Mar 1988 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

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