ELLERSLIE GARDENS.—THE HIBERNIAN FETE,

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1590, 17 March 1875, Page 2

ELLERSLIE GARDENS.—THE HIBERNIAN FETE,

Committee: Bro T). FaUra. P.P. Bro J. Clarke, BP. Kro J. i ittle, V.P. Bro B Hamill, BS. R:o J Sallivan, P V.P. Bro J. Dempsey, P.T. Bro W. <;, C nnolly Bro M. Gallagher X Bro P. Maddigan Bro J Oal sgher Bro J P Lo'ergan Bro S. Faiiweiither Bro J. O'Donnell Bro H. Brennen A really fine day at last. The dreary ex« periences of Boxing Day, New Year'H Day and Annniversary, seemed about to be repeated when yesterday towards evening, the gathering clouds -warranted the prediction of a rainy St. Patrick's Day, but his saintahip has turned a deaf ear to the many anxious implorers for the- revising moisture and though under present circumstances rain come when it may, will prove as Tennyson calls it a " useful trouble I indeed, yet in the interest of the many thousands who have been looking forward to spending a happy day in the^open air, we cannot but be gratified that its downfall has been deferred for a few hours. The enterprising proprietor of Eilerslie Gardens has been peculiarly unfortunate in having bad weather on the days of his fetes. Gavden3 must have rain to make them look beautiful, but they are anything but pleasant places to go to on a wet day, so if the heavens are unpropituous » simply, means loss of all the trouble and expense the owner has gone to for the delectation of the Undismayed by previous disappointments, Mr «. | Graham increased rather than otherwise his exertions to render this St. Patrick's Day at Ellerslie a grand occasion. By the happy-co-operation of the Hibernian Society the proprietor's intentions were furthered in the moat complete manner. It was arranged that the Society should hold their annual gathering at the Gardens, and that a special programme of athletic sports and games should be gone through. This was adver- ~ tised some weeks ago, and gave great satisfaction . O fcher attractions were also secured, and that the public appreciated the pains that were being taken to please them was proved by the crowd which repaired to the Britomart station, en route for Ellerslie"this morning. The members of the Society, to the number of about 160, marched n procession to St. Patrick's Cathedral at nine o'clock. The tfobson Baud headed the procession. HighMass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Walter McDonald, who, during the service, expressed his regret that the clergy could not. take the school children in procession to the Hibernian Fete as in previous years, inconsequence of the prevalence of measles. In * short address the Rev. Father alluded to the associations of the anniversary and complemended the Society on its prosperous condition. The President of the Society, W&k Olark, the Vice - President, J- kijj'f the past President, D. Fallon, />© treasurer and secretary, Messrs .DerVstt and Hamill, were in attendance. Brother I W. -G. Connolly acted as marshal. The officers of the Qtahuhu branch presenti|| were President James Mcllroy," Vice-Presi- | dent Jno Oallagher, Treasurer K. Martin, Secretary J. Jones. Of the Unebunga branch, m President C. Heenan, Vice-Pre«ident J. McMahon, Secretary C. Lucas, TroaaurerA. - Q'BugUn. From the Church tMJMMlfliii

proceeded to St Patriok's Hall. Hobaon-streefc, where Past-President Falion was invested with the Past President's sash by the President of the Auckland Branch, J. Cia*. The ceremony was accompanied by appropriate speeches. This over, the procession wasjagain formed, and accompanied by Fathers Walter McDonald, and Siuipson, the Society members marched to the station, the Hobson band as before preceding them, playing National airs. The train started at 10.15, and some confusion was created by the arrival of the procession only five minutes before its departure, a circumstance which caused the officials some inconvenience. The difficulty of booking over 200 in snob, a short time was surmounted in an expeditious and courteous manner, and the train left punctually to time. Father Walter Mclonald accompanied the excursion to Ellcrslie, but his duties compelled him to return soon after the arrival at the gardens. We should mention that a large number of children in caie of ihe Rev. Father O'Dwyer went out by the 9 15 train, accompanying these was the Band of the Juvenile Society, under Mr Shanaghan, bandmaster. Arrived at Ellerslie station, the members of the Society, who were in full regalia, formed on the platform and entered the gardena in procession. The trains, which ran every hour, took out large loads of passengers, and by mid-day quite two thousand people (comprising a large proportion of ladies) had assembled in the Gardens. The Gardens looked, very pretty. The chief attractions were the sports, which commenced soon after. Boy's Race. 100 yards. Four started. Fergusson... ... ... ... 1 BreDnan ... ... ... ... 2 Ist prize, 10s ; second prize, ss. HOP STEP AND JUMP. Ist. prize 20s, 2nd. ss.— Six competitors. D. Donovan, 34ft. 9in 1 Long, 34ft. sin. 2 THKEE HUNDRED YATtT>S HANDICAP. Ist. prize Silver Cup, value £10 10s &c. &c, 8 entries, 4 startes. E. brennan, 10yds. ... ... 1 J. Dowd, 8 yds. 2 J. Stych, 4 yds. 0 J. Sullivan, (one leg) 75 yds. ... 0 A good start was effected. The one legged man was caught at 200 yards and gave up. Brennan had the race in hand throughout, and won easily by 10 yards from Dowd. VAOLTING WITH THE POLE. Ist prize 2os, 2ud prize ss—3 entries. D. Donovan, Bft. l^in 1 D. Dowd, Bft. " 2 Callagher, 0 THROWING THE HAMMER. 3 entries. Dempsey, 63ft. Gin 1 Corcoran, 55ft. 2 Maloney, 0 A very poor thrgwr QUAttTER-MILB HANDICAP. Ist prize 608, 2nd prize 203—11 entries. For this se vren competitors came to the post but there was a regular bungle at the start owing to the pistol missing fire twice. The second time the starter cried off and O'Hare McMullan, and It. David, ran the course coming in in the order named. Of course a barney ensued, the winner naturally objecting to run again, and the rest claiming a false start. The majority carried the question, and it was decided to run the race over again after the dancing. IRISH JIG. Three competitors: Lynch ... ... ... ... 1 Kirby 2 and Costello, alias the Italian Count, last. QUARTER-MILE. For tne second heat of this disputed race —Bayner, 17 yards ; Sewell, 6 yards; O'Hare, 14 yards ; Tanner, scratch ; Stych, 6 yards ; David. 17 yards ; McMillan, 17 yard a -came to the post. This time a pretty fair start was effected, O'Hare rapidly going to the front. At 50 yards he had a good lead. Tanner went off in his well-known style, but though he got well up in the ruck he failed to catch the leaders. O'Hare gave way in the straight, and McMillan, who ran very strongly after his previous race, passed him and won easily at the finish by 4 yards. o— — CPER STAR CARRIER PIGEONJ 2 o'clock. Preparations are being made for a tight rope performance by •."aptain Jack a la Blondin. The Spotted Boy and Fairy Queen dwarf are on view, and attract numbers of visitors. A great deal of- trouble is given by persons insisting upon remaining inside the ropes. Mile Eace. This was a wretched affair. For some time oaly two competitors shewed up. After it had been proposed to postpone the race, O'Hare appeared and made up the required three. Soon after starting, O'Hare fell down purposely, and the other two jogged on in a very friendly way together. The race ended as under McMillan : 100 yards, Ist; Fagan: 130 yards, 2nd. 150 Yards PiAcb. (Open only to members of the Hibernian Society) First prize : a splendid sash, presented by Mrs R. Gratten. Second prize : an article worth thirty shillings, presented by Lyons, Bros. It. Brennan (H.S.) 1 R. Long (H.S.) 2 Four starters. Won easily, the winner not deigning to take off his ordinary clothes. The performance by Captain Jack was nothing very wonderful. Everybody expected to see a man perform, but it turned out was only a monkey. MARRIED MEN'S RACE. Members H.A.C.BS., 100 yards. A valuable prize presented by Bro. J. Londergan. Lynch, when leading, was interfered with by his watch coming out of his pockeb. This enabled O'Donnell to go to the front and win by a yard. Great enthusiasm was evinced at the result, and the winner was hoisted shoulder high. He is a member of the Hobson Band. The refreshment booths which were under the direction of Mr Brown, on Mr Graham's behalf, were freely patronised, and their administration was well appreciated. The children are enjojing themselveß inamensly. ONE MILE WALKING MATCH. First prize 40s; Becond prize 10s: Mahon ... ... ... ... 1 Cutter 2 The winner walked infgood style. The Foot-ball match ia proceeding. The married men are getting the'Jbest of it. 100 YARDS HANDICAP. Prize, £2, presented by the H.A.C.B.S. J. Sullivan (one leg), 50 yards start, Ist; O'Hare (scratch), 2. This was a splendid race. Sullivan pegged away in capital style, and breasted the tape just before the bipeds behind reached him. The winner was borne aloft. •