ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 65, 17 March 1900, Page 5

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

IRISH NATIONAL DEMONSTRA-

TION.

KOMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FETE.

"It's a great day for ould Ireland," said a "son of the sod" at St Patrick's this morning', and in truth the Hibernian national demonstration In, Auckland, as in other places, was marked by more than usual enthusiasm this year. St. Patrick's Day, 1900, will be remembered as the day of all others on which a fitting" tribute was paid by the whole of the Empire, headed by Her Majesty the Queen, to the devotion and bravery of the Irish race. The Queen had ordered that. 'to)-day the. Irish regiments in the British army should be permitted to wear the ''sweet little shamrock" in their head-dress, to commemorate the bravery of the Irish troops serving In South Africa, so that the memory of this 17th of March will long- remain as a picturing recollection with all Trish men and women, and not only those vv'ho hail from Ireland, but their descendants of colonial birth.

To-day was probably more of a, holiday' than St. Patrick's Day has ever been in Auckland before, as tlio Government public offices were closed ■bjy order of the Governnsen't, and thousands of Aueklanders held festival, although most of the business places were lopen as usual. Tha shamrock and the harp, green sashea and favours ware prominent decorations on the Hibernian portion of the community, and the strains of "St. Patrick's Day in the .Morning"," "Tho Harp That' Once .Through Tara's Halls," and other Irish national melodies, played by brass bands escorting the Catholic schools procession, reminded townspeople- of the fact that this' was the day dedicated to the memory of Ireland's patron saint.

The principal feature of to-day's celebrations in Auckland was the procession o£ the Hibernian Society and the Roman Catholic school children to the Domain, where the children's sports and the Hibernian Society's sports toiok place. The children's procession was probably tha largest that lias yet been held on St. Patrick's Day in Auckland, and wa.i a very pretty sight. The day's proceeding's began with high mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral, where mass was celebrated by Hie Rev. Father Hills, Father Muckley being deacon,' and Father Jlennessy sub-dwu-on. The Wry Key. Dean'O'Reilly acted a.s assistant priest, and Father Purton waa muster of ceremonies.

About half-past ten o'clock this morning1, shortly after muss was over, tho long procession marched oil' from St. Patricks for tho Domain Cricket Ground. There were at least l,«*iOO children in the procession by the time tin- Domain was reached, the ParnHl and Xewmarket contingents forming important additions. The children of the Catholic Day-schools and Sundayschools assembled at the top of Wyndhanvstreet, headed by the members of the Auckland branch of the H.A.C.B. Society. The Newton Bnnd took part fn Ihe procession, playing" suitable Irish airs. The procession was a very long' one< nTU' as tnt' Children marched through the streets en route 1o the fete-ground, with banners and innumerable. bannerettes flying1, the sight was a very line one.

IJron. John Patterson (Past District President of the H.A.C.B. Society branch) a-ntl K. Xoonnn. acted as mounted marshals of the procession.

The- route of the procession, which attracted great attention and ncloniraation, was up Hobson-street, along Welleslcy-street, Symonds-street and Graf ton Jload to the-Domain..

The first part of the 'programme !n the Domain were the sports and feast for the children, and the young people enjoyed thmselves greatly. In tlije afternloon the Hibernian Society's sports were held, and wera witnessed by a large gathering. An excellent programme «£ races, competitions in Irish reels and jigs, etc.. had been arranged. Mr P. O'Kane acted as sports secretary, and Mr J. J. Callaghfiii fis general secretary. Members of kindred societies <vere present in considerable numbers, and the occasion was marked by mnch enthusiasm. The Newton Brass Band was in attendance at the ground and played a fine, selection 'o-f national and patriotic aris durincf the a.ftcrnoon. The first race in the Domain Cricket (Ironml this nfternoon was the Juvenile Handicap, 100 yds. for juvenile members of the TT.A.C.B. Society. The race resulted: W. Brown 1. J. Williams 2. Fitj-ht started. Won easily. The"second race, first heat. 100 yds Handicap Foot. Tinee, resulted: Chns. R. McCarthy 1, A. George 3,,. T. Donovan ?>. The second heat in this event reanltccl:— K. Gladdincr :1. T!. Kpenan 2. W. Abbott H. Ten started. Won easily.