SPIRIT OF THE IRISH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 65, 17 March 1915, Page 2

SPIRIT OF THE IRISH.

» CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK'S DAT. PROCESSION AND SPORTS. There is only one national saint's '. day in the New Zealand calendar that evokes a public demonstration of . national fervour—St. Patrick's Day. It is Ireland's day, and year after year, irrespective of all obstacles of weather, war, or business, the irrepressible spirit of the Irish springs up green and glowing each St. Patrick's Day in an outburst of national prideIn Auckland this morning St. Patrick's Day broke dull and threatening ot rain, and folks who had no partienlaiconcern for Ireland or "the day," proceeded, with overcoats and umbrellas, to business, for the day was not ob- ! served as a public holiday. But no > threat of rain could damp the fervour or shackle the spirits of the Irish. It, was their day, and there was to be a national demonstration and procession, [sion, followed by sports, rain or no rain, public holiday or no public holiday.' They rallied their bands, marshalled their., children, flew their banners and sported their sprigs of shamrock. And j. lat the appointed time the children's I procession—hundreds of little boys in white jumpers and green ties, and little ; girls wearing white frocks and green I sashes—moved off to march through I the main streets of the city to the Domain. Marshalled behind Mr. P. Gleeson they swung through the streets, with radiant faces, colours Hying and bands playing, the real embodiment of the gay, effervescent but en- ' during spirit of the Irish; and as they lilted along Queen Street to the strains of "Tipperary," they made a brave display that drew all other minds from I the routine of business, and thousands of feet and faces to kerbstone and window, while envious hands waved them on their way. Even old Jupiter , Pluvius seemed gratified, for as the I procession won ite way to the -sports ground, with a great following, the misty clouds lifted and there was a I half-promise of a fine afternoon. At 2.15 p.m. rain set in, and the dancing platform became so slippery that the judges decided to postpone the events, and hold them in the Hibernian Hall on an evening to be announced I later, the public to be admitted free. THE SPORTS. At the Domain excellent arrangements had been made to cater for the children, who dined under cover, while their elders disposed themselves on the slopes !of the banks, and lunched in the open. Music by the Garrison Artillery Band and the Onehunga Band helped to pass the time pleasantly until the sports opened. By that time there wag a large gathering on the ground, and the offificials got the events going promptly, and kept things moving, so that there was something doing all the while. This end was assisted by keeping the children's events in progress on the outer track near the grandstand, while the contests for adults took place simultaneously in the centre of the ground. The results are: — Walking, 220 yds, under 13.—Ed. O'Donohue (St. Columba) 1, Jno. Brodie (St. Columba) T. <"-' • - Walking, 440 yds, nnder 16.— J. Moynihan (St. Columba) 1, Frank Delgrosso (St. Columba) 2. ... Girls' Relay Race.—Onehunga Convent (Annie' Dowling, Ethel McLoughlln. Annie Slmmonds, Gladys Brcnnnn) 1. Sncred Heart-(Gladys Duval, Grade Tcck, Mary Keenan, Eileen Morros) 2. Half-mile Handicap.—T. Woods, 60yds. 1; H. King, 50yds, 2; R. A. Reston, 75yds, i. Time; 1.35 .•»•»■» ■-.. Sheffield Handicap.—Final: W. H. Bovaird 1, E. Bust 2, J. E. Knsey 3. Won by Inches. Time. Ills. Amateur 120 yds Handicap.—Final: G. Hedlund 1, F. Carolan 2. A. L. Brown 3. Won easily. Time. 12 2-ss. Roger Cup Championship. 100 yds (tor schools).— Page (Vermont Street) 1, Frank Delgrosso (St. Columba) 2. Sheffield Handicap, 120yds.—First heat: G. E. Klnsey (6yds) 1, E. Bust Gliyds) i. Time 12s. Second heat: R. Clark (ojyds) 1 JO. ConneU (10yds) 2. Won by Inches. Time 12 l-ss. Third beat: W. H. Bovaird (12yds)-1, W. J. McMnnus (9yde) 2. Won by a good yard. Time, 12a. 120 yds Amateur.—First heat: G. Hedlund (4yd») 1. A. L: Brown (Iyd) 2. Won by 'ft Time, 12 2-ss. .Second heat: F. Carolan (2yds) 3, H. Lamrrldge (1yd.,2. Won by a yard Time. 12 3-sb. Third neat: W. Bovaird CJyde) 1, W. J. Davidson (4yds) 2. Time. 12 4-Ss. 1 ,««_. ■-Juvenile Hibernian Handicap. lOujos.— IH. Woodley 1, C. Hadley 2. Time, Ma. • • ©acred • Heart 1 'Handicap, 100yds.—-First heat: E. Flnnlgsw (10yds) 1, 3. Coakley (scratch) 2. Time, 11 +-SS. Second Jlent: R. Xraggan (2yds) 1. B. Gold water (7yds) 2. Time, 11 2<sa- Third heat: O. Jackson (llyds) 1, J. Krnse (Byds) 2. Time, 111* Two-mllcs Cycle Handicap.—J. Adlum (scratch) 1, W. J. Stewart (150 yd*) 2, W. H. Hills (250 yds) 3. Won try ten yards. Time, 5.18 4-0. Juvenile Handicap, 120yds.—J. Keenan L J C. -Woodley 2, Reg. Keenan 3.. lime, WS. . . " J _ J __. -JUVENILE EVENTS. Girls (under 10 years), ... 50yd«.—Annl* •Grelg tfSaered .Heart) 1, Stella Rose (St. Benedict's) 2. _ Girls (under 12 years), 00yds.—Doris iKnlght (Ellerslle Convent) 1, Gwen Jones (Sacred Heart) 2. Girls (under 13 years), 75yd#.—®thel McI Laugblin (Onehunga Convent) 1, Eva Bradley (St. Patrick's) 2. Girls (under 15), 75yds.—Vera Pohlen (St Joseph's) 1, Annie Slmmonds (Onehunga Convent) 2. ■ Boys (under 12), 75yds.—Herbert Woodley (St. Colnnrba's) 1, David O'Shea (St. Columba's). 2. •Boys fonder 14). 300yds.—Frank Mulr (ODehnnw Convent) 1, Leo Williams (St. Benedict's) 2. Boye (under 16), 100yds.—Frank Delgrosso (St. Columba's) 1, Jos. Godfrey (Onehunga Convent) 2.