ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8538, 19 March 1908, Page 6

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

THE ATHLETIC SPORTS. There could not be any doubt in the minds of any of those present at the St. Patrick's Day Sports on the Show Grounds yesterday as to the-general interest taken in the fixture. In the early aiternoon the attendance was only fair, but as time progressed the stream of visitors to the grounds visibly while keen attention and interest was everywhere apparent. The programme placed before the public and competitors was a very attractive one, all the taste? and interests being thought of and provided tor, consequently it is almost unnecessary to state that all events were •well contested. The cycling and football events, in particular, attracted a lot ot attention, and wore decidedly favourite items on tho list. In each instance interesting struggles were provided. A special feature of the day's proceedings was the separate sports held for the benefit of the children attending St. Patrick's School. These were held between the grandstand and tho big twoshilling stand, and in tho eyes of the chief actors therein entirely superseded tho events in tho oval. Assistance was only necessary to despatch the innumerable competitors on their way, and in this connection Mr Westmoreland s aid was invoked. The more important and responsible duties of judge and handicapper were carried out by Miss Brophy and Mcsdamcs D. Burke and I. J. l<ake, and they proved fully equal to the occasion, their duties being considerably lightened by the fact that each putting and blowing athlete in embryo received a prize ; there were no blanks. The officials all worked extremely well in each department of the sports, which were a complete success in every detail. The Palmerston North Band was present during the afternoon, and greatly enhanced the general pleasure by a diversified selection of musical items. . Maiden Race, 100 yards.—H. T. Tanner 1, D. Sexton 2. Boys Race, under 16, 100 yards.— Aitchison 1, P. O'Grady 2. St. Patrick's Handicap (first, event), 100 yards— J. H. Barry 1, P. W. O'Shannasscy 2. J. S. Taylor 3. Bicycle Race, half-mile.— J. Brown 1, A. E. Parkes 2, M. I'Anson 3. Mile Walk.—E. Smithvicld, 13yds. 1; * C. Wilson. 50yds, 2. R. L. -Slyfield, 80yds, finished second, but was disqualified by the judge, who objected to his sttf'io of walking as too nearly approaching a run. Bicycle Race, one mile. —First heat: Bright 1, Evens 2, Parkes 3. Time, 2min 32sec. Second heat: Donald 1, lanson 2, Wells 3. Time. 2min 3 2-ssec. St. Patrick's Handicap, 220 yds (second event).— J. 11. Barry, 15yds, 1; H. Wallace, 17yds, 2; A. Neilson, 22yds, 3. Won easily. Time. 22 4-ssec. Half-Vnilo Handicap.—L. Alzdorf (40yds) 1. H. Reid (35yds) 2, "H. J. Tanner (60yds) 3. Won very easily. Time, 2min" 2 2-ssec. St. Patrick's 33ay Wheel Race, two miles— M. rAnson (150 yds) 1. A. E. Parkes (40yds) 2. A. Donald (150 yds) 3. Won by several yards. Time, smin 7 3-ssec. Sevon-a-side Football Tournament.— First round: Kia Toa A (6)- beat Feilding (3); Old Boys A (9) beat Patlmerston A (0); Old Boys B (3) beat Palmerston B (0); Albion B (9) beat Kia Toa (0); Albion A a bye. Second round : Kia Toa A (3) boat Albion A (0); Albion B (5) beat Old Boys A (3). Third round: Kia Toa A (11) beat Old Boys (0). The final resulted—Kia Toa A "(5) beat Albion B (0). Tho tug-of-war was won by Rush s team after a short contest with a team composed of bandsmen and policemen, tho former winning two out of throe pulls. St. Patrick's Day Handicap, 440 yards (third event).—P. W. O'Shannassey (25yds) 1, C. H. Whale (33yds) 2, H. Wallaco (28yds) 3. Won by a foot, Wallace a few inches away third. Time, 49 4-ssec. Bicycle Race, one mile and a half. — . J. Brown (100 yds) 1. M. I'Anson (100 yds) 2. A. E. Parkes (30yds) 3. Time 3min 51 3-ssec. Won by about a wheel, the others close up. . Forced Handicap. 150 yards.— J. bhivas 1 W. H. Scally 2, J. T. Taylor 3. Time, 14 2-ssec. . Hunters Competition, weight 12st, win- '■•■ nor to receive £5 5s and Cup valued at £5 ss, presented by Mr W. 11. Devine, cup to be won twice in succession or three time at intervals; 2nd prize £2 2s, third £1 Is.—P. C. Hardley's Vendetta (owner), 1; L. McKelvie's Gone Away (owner), 2; R. T. Sanson's Mona (owner) 3. There wore seven competitors, and the jumping all round was excellent. Mr H. Gillies, the judge, stating that his task of separating the placed horses was by no means an. easy one. Last year's winner, Hailstone, could get no closer than second on the present occasion. Each of tho placed horses jumped quite up to the best show ring form.

NATIONAL CONCERT AND DANCE. It was only fitting that the day should be terminated in the evening with a national concert and dance. This has been the custom in the past, and on every occasion the concerts have been conspicuous for the excellence of the programmes that have been presented* and for tho masterly manner in which they have been executed. Last evening proved no exception to this rule. The programme gave evidence of having been carefully chosen, and comprised items, both musical and vocal, of such a nature 'as to at once place them in a category considerably above the ordinary. The performers, too, were not tyros, and it would perhaps be a difficult matter to single out anyone for praise as being conspicuously better than another. For whether it was song, recitation or instrumental item, there was little difference from the point of merit; each was excellent in its way, and met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. In fact, encores were the order of the evening, and scarcely an item passed without a repetition being demanded in no uncertain way. It was a musical treat throughout, and reflected great credit Upon those who took part; the large audience was not slow in showing its appreciation. Mr F. R. Johnstone's performance on the 'cello was characterised by a musicianly feeling that was pleasing in the extreme, and the rest of the programme possessed merit much above the average Those present waxed especially enthusiastic over Mrs Louisson's singing. She was in excellent voice, singing in her best stylo. Mrs E. L. Broad's vocal numbers were also worthy of special mention. Miss V. Lamacroft's singing made a good impression on the audience, and she had to respond to an enthusiastic encore. The following is the programme, with the encore numbers:—Overture, Miss Florence O'Connor; song. "Off to Philadelphia," Mr Paul Hoelcley, encore— "Dear Little Irish Girl" ; sonjr. "Terence s Farewell," encore—"To My First Love ; recitation, "Father O'FJynn's Recollections," Mr A. E. Russell, encore— Pat Came O'er tho Hill" ; 'cello solo, "Ave Maria" (Gounod), Mr F. B. Johnstone, encore—"Traumerci"; song, "Kathleen Mavournoen," Mrs E. L. Broad, encore —"Absence"; duet, Messrs Keeble and Rodgers, "Tho Moon Hath Raised Her, Lamp Above" (from "The Lily of Kil' ; larncy"). encored; song-, "Killarney, Mrs C. Louisson, encore—"The Meeting of the Waters" ; 'cello solo, two bracketed numbers, (a) "Mcmoire" arid (b) "Tarantclle," Mr F. R. Johnstone; song, "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Yong Charms," Miss Lamaeroft; song and chorus, "Eileen Alannah," Mr T. J. Rodgers. The 'accompaniments were played by Mis 3 Florric O'Connor and Mr Paul Hocklcy. . Tho concert was organised by Mr and Mrs T. J. Rodgers, who are deserving of praise for the excellent programme J arranged. t

A PRESENTATION. FATHER BOWE'S WORK v RECOGNISED. At the conclusion of the concert Father Costollo thanked all who had in any way taken part and contributed towards its success. To the ladies who had provided the supper their thanks were alsa due, and to the non-Catholic friends who had accorded the concert their support. Father- Costcllo then alluded ;to the work done in the parish by Father Bowe (who was present}, and spoke in eulogistic terms of his many good qualities. Father Bowe, he said, had been promoted to take charge of the parish at Carterton, in which place all would join in wishing him every success. The parishioners had felt that they could not allow Father Bowe to leave without presenting him with some memento of the esteem in which he was held, and to that end they had prepared an illuminated address, which lie would ask Mr Kennedy to road out and present. Mr Kennedy then road the address and presented it r to Father Bowe, asking him to accept it in the spirit in which it was given, and as a mark of the esteem in which he was held. Dr. O'Brien then stepped forward and stated that ho had also a duty to perform, namely, that of presenting Father Bowo with a purse of sovereigns, which was the least they could do to show their appreciation of his labour among

them. Father Bowe briefly responded, expressing the pleasure that it had given him to work in their midst and thanking them for their kind gifts. The children of the school had also made him a presentation, and to them he extended his thanks and his appreciation of their thoughtfulness. The floor was then cleared and dancing commenced, being thoroughly enjoyed by all. Mr I. Fake acted as M.C., and Mr S. Barrow presided at the piano. In connection with the dance a large marquee had been erected outside the hall, and in this supper was laid. Here it was delightfully cool, and full justice was done to the tempting display of refreshments. . The text of the address/vescnted to Father Bowe is as followST— "Rev. Father Bowe.

"Rev. and Dear Father,—We. the Catholics of St. Patrick's Parish, desiro to convoy to you an expression of our very deep regret at your removal from amongst us. Since commencing your ministrations in Palmerston North you have, by untiring zeal and whole-souled devotion to tho discharge of your sacred duties, won the love and esteem of the ■whole, congregation. Although we know that the true spirit of Christian humility by which you are animated would make you deprecate any allusion to your good works, we cannot, refrain from thanking you for your efforts in promoting the spiritual welfare of the Children of Mary, the Hibernians, and the various confraternities and circles of St. Patrick's Parish. The poor and afflicted, too, have cause to bless tho "Sogarth Aroon," whoso charity was boundless and its exercise limited only by his means.

"In bidding you farewell we pray that God will bless".vou in your new sphere, of labour, and that you may be granted many years of good health to work in the Lord's vineyard for the glory of God and the welfare of our holy Church. Signed on behalf of the parishioners — "Win. Devine. M. J. Kennedy, "Win. Ryan, M. Hodgins."