ST. PATRICKS DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5729, 29 March 1880, Page 3

ST. PATRICKS DAY.

Wednesday being St. Patrick's Day, was celebratod with the usual national fervonr by the sons of Erin. The day was all that cjuld bo desired, and as it advanced a refreshing breeze sprang up, which was especially grateful to those engaged in the outdoor festiritiea.

The proceedings of the day were commenced by the members of the Hibernian Society mastering at St. 'Patrick's Hal/, from whence they proceeded in procession, headed by the Ilobson Baud, to St. Patrick's Cathedral, to attend the 9 o'clock ma-s His Grace AroVoi.-ibop stains officiated, assisted by the Very ilev. Dr. McDonald, Itev. Father VW.t.-r McDonald, and the ttev. Father O'Dwyer. His Graie delivered a brief addre-H oa the life of St. Patrick, and exhorted his hearers to emulate and imitate the virtue] of Irrl uid'x patron saint.

At half-past 10 o'clock the procession of the Catholic city and suburban scho.i's commenced to form up. The r.uinb-r of chi!Jrea was estimated at about 2000—the boys, with their green favours, and the girls, (trussed in white, carrying bannerettes, gave a very picturesque aspect to the procession. Amongst the {clergy present were His Grace Archbishop Sttiu3; the VicarGeneral (the Very Kev. Father Fyu-s), Very Kev. Dr. MoDjiiald, Rev. Fathers Walter Mc L'ojalJ, O'Dsryer, Riordan, Downey, O'Hara, aud Paul. The Hon. P. Dignan, Mr. J. S.ieehaa, aud other gentlemen were present, au.l to<°_; a lively interest in the prooee iiags. The procession moved o£f in the following order:—(l) Tin IL.lison Hand, under command of Bandmaster Christopher ; (2) the children of St. Mary's Urphansge, about 200 ; (3) the select ivul in f ant school ; (4) the Newton girl's school ; (5) Father Downey's high school ; (G) Industrial School (boys), about 70; (7) St. Pa'rick's school (Mr. Fisher), anl St. Patrick's Stindayachool; (S) Kewtun SmiA.iy-S'jhoo! (boys). The school of St. Peter's (un ler Mr. Cranin) and those of Parnell joined in the route. The members of the Christian Doctrine Society, anl the officers ami members ot the H. A.(J. B. Society, heide 1 !>y tlio lato Victoria Hind, under Bandmaster MeComish, followed, led by their respective officers :— President, M. Connolly; marshal, YY. G. Connolly, V. P. ; secretary, J. O'Brien : and treasurer, C. Little, numbering about 150. Tho juvenile eontingeut mistered 45 strong, aud were under charge of Mr. Fiynn. Oil reacbicg the Domain, which was selected as the scene of the sports and pastimes, the children were liberally supplied with refreshments, and dismiise i to play under care of their teacher?.

The Marionettes, the Velocipede, a':d other amusements, were wc'l patrouUed, while numerous Inoths provided all that was neeied for tlie inner man, including every variety of temperance beverages.

In the afternoon there could not have been less than 4003 in the Domain. A number of improvised races were arranged for the boya and girls by the clergy and other gentlemen, which affjrded inlinite amusement not only to the children-but to their elders. A lady friend presented a group of wax fl>wcrs (in shade), and two beautifully - worked lrath r baskets, as prizes, and they wore kneuly competed for by the juveniles. Mr. P. Oignin, Mr. \V. F. Clifton, and other members of the Christian "Doctrine Society, asisted by a number of ladies, exerted themselves to promote the comfort aud pleasure of the children under the care of the Society. There were a number of Maw-s present from Kotorua and the North. We noticed specially the chief Pereuia Te Pahau, and so:no native boys who accompanied Dr. McDonald.

At 3 o'clock liis Grace, Archbishop Steins, accompanied by Father Walter McDonald, visited the Domain, aud with the clergy already named, passed through the grouuds, aud interested themselves in the proceedings. During the afternoon the orphan children of St. Mary's sang a number of hymus and songs in a very ploasing manner, and which appeared to afford much pleasure to His Grace.

One of the features of the day's amusements was the series of sports under the auspices of the Hibernian Society. They were supervised by Mr. M. Connolly (president), who acted as judge ; Mr. J. O'Brien, secretary, and Mr. P. O'Brien starter. A number of members of committee also assisted in efficiently carrying out the arrangements.

St. Patrick's Day was a partial holiday at the Thames. Tho Parawai races were well attended, and ob the wholj wore a sucee3s. Hailway Stakes : Golden Crown, 1 ; Eclips?, 2. Hurdle Handicap : Venus, 1 ; Sir George Grey, 2. Hibernian Gup : G >lden Crown, 1 : Bundarra, 2. For tliij raee Bundarra was the favourite, bul Golden (Jrown took the lead from the first, and won by several lengths. There was a giod attendance of the general public. The Hibernian Society assembled at the church, Willoughby-streefc, and after service marched out to Parawai. Two of the river steam :rs made excursions to Paeroa.

On St. Patrick's D.iy the settlers of Maugapai, Maungakaramea, Ruarangi, and Waikiekie had a great treat iti an excursion b/ steamer to the Whangarei Heads. The ilea originated with Captain Crawford, of tho Argyle. The excursionists embarked both.it the Maungakaramea Wharf aud also at the new pier, known as Ormiston's Wharf. On leaving the latter, the number on board was found to be 182, of whom eighty were adults, who pa'd 2s Od each for the passage. The children were taken free. The spot tixed on. for the landing was the picturesque estate of H. R. Aubrey, Esq , R. M., who gave a most kindly welcome to the party. Here, on a beautiful greensward, and under the grateful shade of trees, the grand hills for a background and the water in front, from which a mo3t refreshing breeze wa3 blowing, the party, augmented by the presence of members of Mr. Aubrey's family, and also by those of Mr. Munro, o; Marsden Point, numbered over 200. Having formed into groups for partaking of the good cheer provided,, amusements of various kinds were resorted to. Music was kept going during the day, both on the deck of the steamer and on aiiore. I he songs on the return home, sung in parts and accompanied by the harmonium, gave especial pleasure, Mrs. £. J. Sooll, on this, as on former occasions, presiding with great taste and effectiveness in her playing. All had thorough enjoymeut, and, on reaching Onniston's VVliarf, a wcli-merifced tribute of sincere thanks was publicly tendered to the captain, mite, and crew, followed by a hearty " three tim-s three."