ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12818, 18 March 1905, Page 7

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

■ CELEBRATIONS ON THE DOMAIN < ' GROUND. SUCCESSFUL ' FETE AND SPORTS CARNIVAL.

The Roman Catholic section of the community, Doth old and young, celebrated St, Patrick's Day with characteristic enthusiasm, the festivities embracing the 31st annual fete and Sports carnival on the Domain' Cricket Ground during the day, and a grand national concert in the Choral Kail at night- The weather was beautifully fine, a cool, refresh»ing breeze tempering the heat of the sun, and the gathering on the Domain proved: thoroughly enjoyable to the thousands of sons and daughters of the Emerald Isle, who turned out to celebrate the occasion. The Right Rev. Dr. Lenilmn, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, was among the spectators, and evinced a lively interest in the proceedings- rHB PROCESSION.

\t nine o'clock a.m. tiie members of the Hibernian Australian Catholic. Benefit Society, the children of St. Patrick's parish, and the boys from the Takapnua Orphanage, attended mass in St. (Patrick's Cathedral, Father Holbrook being the celebrant. Special masses in honour of St. Patrick were o'-vj celebrated in St. Benedict's and other of the Roman Catholic churches about Auckland at the same hour, tho hymn to tha patron saint concluding tho services. The children from Parnell and Ponsonby assembled in the cathedral square about twenty minutes to ten o'clock, and the-pro-cession formed up, and moved off on the way to'tho Domain at ten o'clock, Brother John Patterson. D.P., H.A.C.8.5., acting as marshal. The Garrison Band, playing national air.*, led the procession, and immediately behind came the members of tho Hibernian Society, between 60 and 70 strong, in regalia. The officers in attendance were Brothers Hon. W. Beehan, P.D.P.; Little, P.D.P.; W. Kane, district secretary ; M. J. Sbeahan, president of the Auckland branch; J. O'Brien. V.P. ; D. Plynn. treasurer. Then followed the pupils of "the Sacred Heart Collose (Ponsouby), and the children of the Ponsonby, St. Patrick's, and Parnell parishes, in that; order, tho St, Benedict's children, with Hulse's Brass Band in attendance, joining the procession at the foot <# WVuesicy-street. The route was via Hobsou, Cook, Wellcsley, and Symonds Streets, and Grafton Road, to the Domain, juntas some 2000 children, attired in holiday costume, and decked with rosettes and other favours, were in tho ranks, the spectacle en route was a pleasing one. The. children from Hawick and IPanmurc came to town in brakes, and when the whole of the juvenile pleasure-seekers had been assembled on the Domain, they were told off to _ the tents provided for them bv the authorities of the various parishes and schools. There they were treated to an ample supply of refreshments, after which races and games were arranged for their amusement, and into these they entered with full zest, spending a most pleasurable day. as their happy laughter and smiling laces indicated.

, . THE SPORTS CARNIVAL. The attention of the adult members of the festal gathering was engaged with a diversified sud interesting sports programme, the .events carded being keenly contested, and of a character that afforded enjoyment to the onlookers. The officers were as under: — Chairman of committee, the Right Rev. Dr. Jjenihan; vice-presidents. Messrs. P. G. Nerhenv, .1.P.. and J. J. "O'Brien: judges, the Hon. W. Bcehan, Messrs. D. Flynn, T. 15. O'Connor, J. Molloy, and P. Quiulan; judge for.field events, Mr. T. B. O'Connor: judge for Irish jig, Mr. E. O'Hare; judge for wrestling, Mr. D. Leahy: timekeepers, Messrs. J.»O'Brien and M. O'Brien; starter, Mr. Robert Keenan; call steward, Mr. G. Mulhollaud; press steward, Mr. W. Kerable; marksmen, Messrs. E. Noonan and M Canavan; secretaries, Messrs. R. A. Keenan (general secretary), P. J. Grace (sports secretary), and M. J. Sheahan, hon. treasurer. The officers worked untiringly to promote the success of the gathering, and were amply rewarded, as it was one of tha best meetings of the kind held in connection with St. Patrick's Day celebrations for some years past. \\ Tho feature 'was undoubtedly the wrestling, match between G. H. Johnston, tho Scottish athlete now touring the colony in company with A. A. Cameron, and Arthur Skinner, of Auckland. The style was cateh-as-cateh-can, best of three falls to decide the winner. Mr. D. Leahy acted as judge, and the spectators were treated to a scientific and altogether capital contest between two first-class exponents of wrestling. Tho pair wero quickly in holds, and after some good play on both sides Johnston got the Auckland man in difficulties with a half-Nelson and leg hold, but Skinner cleverly wriggled out when a fall looked likely. A few minutes later tho Scotchman got on the same bold, and although Skinner endeavoured to save by bridging, Johnston brought his weight to bear and pressed the Auckland constable's two shoulders to the ground, gaining the first fall after about ten-minutes.- Skinner was rather more cautious when he entered on tho second round, and gave tho big man fewer chances. After they bad been wrestling for thirteen minutes with honours easy the Aucklander got in a clover fall, tho result of a novel leg and arm. hold, peculiarly his own and decidedly effective. In the final bout Skinner was decidedly aggressive, and after about ten minutes' work secured the third fall and the match with the same hold that had beaten Johnston in the second bout. Ti.o Auckland constable was chaired by his admirers, and amidst a scene of enthusiasm was carried shoulder high to the pavilion. Johnston weighed about; Isst 121b and Skinner about list 91b.- There was -also an, open wrestling contest, for which tho entries numbered seven, but only two of- the number entered the ring. They were Tiaki Nanaia, a Waikato Maori, and 0. It. Eraser. Eraser mad© a game stand against a much more powerful and weighty man, but had to concede the honours .to the native, who gained two. falls straight, as the result of about nine or ten minutes' wrestling. The pupils of Marist Bros.' College gave an excellent exhibition of the dumb-bell exercise, and also performed on the parallel bar, the boys showing marked proficiency. Equally interesting was the physical drill competition between the pupils of the Sacred Heart (Ponsonby) and St. John the Baptist (Parnell) Convent Schools. The girls were in squads of twelve, with a leader to each squad, and went through the exercises with Indian clubs to brass band music, the time kept and precision of the movements being capital, while equally good were the maze inarches with which the competition concluded. The first award was deservedly given to the Sacred Heart Convent girls (Miss Nellie Dixon being the leaner), but though not up to tho same high standard tho Parnell girls wero nevertheless responsible for a very creditable performance.

Appended are the results of the various events;—

Maris't Bros.' College Jurenile Handicap, lOOvds First hf!at:H. Quinn, lyd, 1; K. Blake, scr., 2; J. McDonald, scr., 3. Second heat: TV. Sheathe, 4yds, ': ,W. Vet-nan, 4yur,, 'J; 1.. Quirke, svd», 8. Final: Quijjn. 1; Blake, 2; Sheathe, 3. Won on tape. Time, 13s.

llari.H Bros.' College Handicap, 100yds.—First beat: E. Mahoney, scr., 1; 0. Corbett, 2ydH, 2; J. Kelly, 4ydf, 3. Second heat: Ainodeo, ovds, 1; White, Dyda, .'; E. Lavery, Byds, 3. Final: Corbalc, 1; White, 2; Mahoney, 3. Won by ISiri. alter a good race. 'Time, 11 2-0%.

Murist Bros.' School Handicap, 100 yds— First neat: V. l'urcell. ccr., 1; M. Koran, 7yds, 2; J. O'Loghlln, tiyds, 3. Second heat: J. Vc.lvoi, 9yds, 1; C. McCarthy, TOyds, 2; E. Dixon, 7yds, 3. Third heat: F. Bacon, Byds, 1; C. Lonergan, 11yds, -; W. C'reuin, 10yds, 3. Final: Bacon, 1; Lonerfc'»n, 2; McCarthy, 3. Won by 3yds. Time, 12£s. Hibernian Handicap, 100yds.—First beat: J. I*. Lonergan, 9yds, 1; V,". Sender, Byds, 2; J. Calder, Byd«, 3. The winner got up in the last few strides. Second beat: K. O'llare, sen., 14vdR, 1; S. Blade, 4ydf, 2; T. Boyle, syds, 3. O'Hare won very; easily. Firm!: Lonergan, 1; iSeaster, 2; 0 Hare, 3. Lonergan ran a determined race, and won by a yard. O'Hare'a leg save way after running 75ydR, and he was compelled to ease up. Time, 11 2-as.

Throwing the Cricket Ball Callinsn, 1; Whitby, 2; Matthews, 3. There were several competitors, and the' winner succeeded in throwing the ball a distance of about B-tyds. Whitley's throw was 80yds. Friendly Societies' Handicap, 120yds.—First heat: •>• P. Lonergan, 13yds, 1; V. Bnfferty, 7yds, 2; <*■ Helghton; 13vd.«,- 3. Won by syds. Second "eat: McClnskey, 7yds, 1; Thomas, 3vds, 2. Final: Lonergan, 1; Balterty, '-'; McClustey, 3. Loner, .-'Pn won the final just as easily »3 his beat. Time, 12 l-g. ' ' '

Physical Drill Competition Girl pupils of the Sacred Heart School, Ponsonby. Novel, pice, running backwards, 75yds.—Leydon, 1; Haing'er, 2. • Open' Handicap Swecp>takc, 200vdn There -were roar entries, and the. race was won by F. Gladding, Who was.On 10 syd* mark, in the good time ■"' ~l f - .' C. Baylies (lfivdu) finished second. . t Potting the Shot (Irish stvlc).—Cooke, 38ft Sin, 1; IMngworth, 36ft 2in, 2; Whitley, 3-ltt, 3. There -'ere »is competitors. Siamese Cigar Bare. .100yds.—tn.jtbis, the competitors had to lie on their' backs, rising when the pistol way fi re light ci-nrs, and finish with cigar »"3bfln.-mouth. The event, which vaulted much »a»i*ententviwiis won by 1". Gladding, with J. Leyoon kfooad.

v '!■(■.i J:.- Com petitionTlic competitors were V» X ' I '.". H ' '"" ! '> v - Bi'f'l'by, C. Brennan, and T. HOnttpif. Pollas, who has won f|t:ito a number of SSSa ereWe ' was placed first, with Monnitk

. Hammer Throwing Exhibition.— exhibition of hammer throwing, Caledonian style, with the canenamlled hammer, was given by Messrs. G. H. j Johnston, the Scottish athlete, and Constable Arthur Skinner, of 'Auckland. Cameron succeeded : in - hurling the missile 198 ft, while Skinner's best throw was 98It. Subsequently Skinner, with run MM spin, threw the hummer a considerable distance further than Cameron's best, though it may be mentioned that the Scotchman does not claim to be an exponent in this particular style. _Marist Bros.' Old Boys' Club Handicap, 100 yds.— First heat: 0.. Thome, Eyds, 1; J. V. Lonergan, i,£ d ?' 2; J. Ford, 11yds, 3. Second heat: M. O Brien, 6yds, ran over the ground, no others competing. Final: Thome, 1; O'Brien, 2; Lonergan, 3. This was a capital race, Thorno winning bv a couple of feet from O'Brien, who was only a few inches in front of Lonergan. No time taken. Tup-of-War —The tug-oi'-war was between a team representing the Licensed Victuallers and bluejackets from H.M.s. Challenger. The Licensed Victuallers won the first pull, and the bluejackets the second. The third and , last went to the Licensed Victuallers, who therefore won the contest. Mr. T. B. O'Connor captained the winners, and Petty Officer Held the losers. Champion Wrestling Match—This was between O. H. Johnston, the Scottish athlete, and A. Skinner, of Auckland, best two of three falls in catch-as-catch-can style. The first fall went to Johnston, and the second and third to Skinner, the local man thus being the winner.

Open Wrestling Competition. The only competitors were Ti-.iki Xiinaia (a native), and C. K. Frascr. The style was caich-as-catch-can, and the Maori, getting two falls straight, won the competition.

CONCERT AT CHORAL HAH.. The national concert, given at the Choral Hall in the evening, was largely attended, Bishop Lenilmn and the Roman Catholic clergy being amongst those present. The programme submitted wis n meritorious one, the items, which mostly related to tho land of the shamrock, being rendered in artistic style, and many encores were insisted upon. The concert was opened by the school children, who sang a chorus very prettily. A number of solos followed, the contributors being Misses Cooper, M. Donovan, Mabel Lyons, A. Lorrigan, M. Knight, Maggie Lyons, and Messrs. Gerald Ralph, 1!. A. Keenan, Rupert.Mantel!, P. B. Darby, and H. Herbert. The accompaniments were Mr. T. Midgley and Mr. Harold K. Light, F.C.O. At the finish, nil stood and sang the national sons:, " God Save Ireland."

SrORTS AT WAIHI. [BT TELEGRAm OWN CORKESr-OXDBXT.] WAIM, Friday. The Hibernian Society held their annual sporTs meeting to-day, and they proved a great success. The results are as follows: — . Boys* Race: C. Darby, 1; A. Tower, 2. Boys' Swim: A. Tower, 1: J. Power, 2: M. Mullins, ::. Friendly Societies' Race: P. Williams, 1; B. Rower, 'J; V. Roberts, 3. Hop, Step, and Jump: Sydney (39ft 'Jin), 1; W. Cook (SSU Sin), 8, Sr. Patrick's Day Handicap: Roberts, 4 points, 1; Williams and Bryant, 3 points each. Half-mile: W. Darby, 1; J. Irwin, 2; 1. Roberts, 3. Putting the ICtb Shot: R. Cook (2»tt Sin), 1; W. Cook (38ft lliu), 3.

Hibernian Handicap, 120 yd s: Bvau, 1; Sullivan, 2; ltoclie, 3. Wrestling, list 71b: Riordan, 1; Coutts, 2. Boot Race: James, 1. Ladies' Race: Sullivan, 1; Thorburn, 2; Hewett, 3. Consolation Race: McGall, 1; Power, 2.