ST. PATRICK’S DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10852, 18 March 1921, Page 6

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

CELEBRATIONS YESTERDAY PROCESSION AND SPORTS GATHERING. A SUCCESSFUL DAY". St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated yesterday by a procession through the city and a sport® gathering at Newtown Park during the daylight hours and a national concert at the ToYvn Hall at night. Fortunately the bad weather predicted did not happen along except as to a strong nor’-west wind Yvhich made matters slightly unpleasant for holidaymakers. The procession through the city was, according to old residents, tho best seen here since the great maritime strike, when the trades unionists held a memorable demonstration. It was a magnificent effort, and drew from citizens Yvho gazed at it expressions of pleasure and surprise. Every point of Y'antago was availed of by eager onlookers as the procession, headed by an Irish jaunting-car conveying four old identities, made its way through the pr incipal streets of the city to Newtown Park. Following the jaunting car came a brass hand which played stirring Irish aims. Parades of school children, tho boys of St. Patrick’s College leading, and a number of decorated lorries with symbolio tableaux. The children made a fine show, being mostly dressed in Yvhite, with green scarves. Among tho tableaux, one that specially appealed to the spectators was “Sorrowful Erin” and “The Star of Hope” ; other striking displays were made in the representation of Irish music, an. episode iu the history of St. Patrick; and “Faith, Hope, and Charity.” Tho Irish Pipe Band took part in the procession, wearing a new uniform which attracted a good deal of remark. The rear of the procession u as taken by a large parade of tho Hibernian Society. Prizes were awarded for the best displays in the procession as follow -.—Tableaux: Guildford terrace Sisters of Mercy, 1; St. Anne’s, 2; Marist Brothers, Thorndon, 3. Best-dec.orafed horses: St. Anne’s Tableaux. AT NEWTOWN PARK. THE SPORTS GATHERING. There was a very large gathering at Nowtown Park long before the procession arrived and Yvith the advent of the latter a comprehensive programme of sports Yvas gone through. A special feature rv-as a spectacular drill display by about one thousand school children, and truly it was a pretty sight. Distinguished visitors during the day were Archbishops Redwood and O’Shea and Dea,n Regnault, of Christchurch. Meiers Redmond and Moroney, two of the oldest members of the Hibernian Society, were also present. RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS. The responsible officers were:—Executive officials.- —Chairman, J. P. McGowan ; director of sports, M. J. ReArdon; lion, treasurer, J. J. L. Burke; assistant lion, secretary, I/. A. Burns. Sports officials. —Starter, T. W. Leslie; handicapper, A. C, Kitto; judges, B. A. Guise, A. A. Marryatt, J. McGowan, J. J. L. Burke; megaphonist, R. Girling-Butcher; call steYvards, W. Auld, 11. Simons; timekeepers, L. "W. Ludwig, W. N. Tucker; judge of walking, T. W. Leslie; judge of wrestling, ,T. Doyle; director of dancing, D. McPhee; judge of dancing, Edward Reidv (Thames) ; judge of baby show, Dr It. M. Co wen ; director of sup rise packet®, C. J. Pfaff; marksman, F. Hodson. The various sports events resulted as follow : Boys’ Half-mile Walk.—E. Hogan (Marist Bros., Tasman street), 1; D. Condon (Tasman street). 3; N. Taylor (Taaman street), 3. 100 Yards St. Patrick’s College Handicap.—James 1, Riddell 2. A good race. Time. 11 4-ssec. Hop, Step and Jump Handicap—Horstacl (2ft), 41ft 2in, 1; Malmanohe (2ft), 40ft lOin, 2. White. 39ft 4in, put up ' the best performance. One Mile Handicap—G- H. Wakelin (80yds), 1; C. Campbell (30yds), 2. Wakelin went out fast and Yvas never headed, winning easily by about 40 yards in 4 min 40sec. 100 Yards St, Patrick’s Day Handicap—N. Trower (9yds), 1; H. Moss (8 yds), 2. This was the best race of the day, Trower winning by inches. Time, 10 4-ssec. 220 Yards St. Patrick’s College Handicap—James, 1; Terry, 2. Won. by five yards. Time, 25 2-ssec. High Jump Handicap—Whyte, sft 3in, 1; Malmanoe and Algar, sft, dead heat, 2. 100 Yards Handicap (open)—Johnson, lj Campbell, 2. Won by a foot. Time, 11 l-seec. One Mile Walk—F. Hickling, 1; J. McKenzie, 2; G. McKenzie, 3. Hickling took the lead when half the distance had been oovered and worn a good race by five yards from J. McKenzie. Relay Race (primary schools)—Terrace School. 1 - Marist Bros. (Thorndon), 2. 440 Yards Ladies’ Bracelet—N. Trower (30yds), 1; J. C. Johnston (20yds), 2. Trower went to the front 100 yards from the tape and won easily by six yards. Time, Msec. DANCING* EVENTS. Highland Fling—Jessie Taylor, 1; Jean McLachlan, 2. Reel o’ Tulloch—Phyllis McMillan, 1; Thelma McKenzie. 2. Sword Dance Thelma McKenzie 2, BABY SHOW. Boys, up to 9 months—Jack Moore, 1; Mrs Niel Austin, 2. Girls, up to 9 months —Irene Solomon, 1; Sirs Gregory, 2. Boys, up to 18 months —Mrs McGregor, 1; Mrs Pngan, 2. Girls, up to 18 months —Mrs Weir, 1; Mrs Berg, 2. DANCING. Irish Reel, under 12 —Jean McLrtthlan, 1; Nancie Bissett, 2. Irish Jig, under 12—Jean McLachlan, 1; Mies It. Brown. 1. Jig, under 16—P. McMillan, 1; H. Needham, 2. Reel, under 16 —P. McMillan, 1; W. BroYvn, £ . Hornpipe, under 12 —Zflma Carroll, 1; R. Brown, 2. Highland Fling, under 12—Jessie Tay. lor, 1; G. McLaughlin, 2. Sword Dance, under 16—P. McMillan, 1; Thelma. McKenzie, 2. Reel o’ Tulloch, under 16—P. 'McMillan, 1; Thelma, McKenzie. 2.

MASS MEETING

THE IRISH NATION. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. At a mass meeting held at Newtown Park His Grace Archbishop Redwood was on the platform, Yvhile the speakers YY'ero the rector of St. Patrick’s College (the Rev. Father Gilbert, M.A.), Messrs P. ,J. O’Regan and M. J. Reardon. The following resolution w-as proposed by the Rev-. Father Gilbert, seconded by Air P. J. O’Regan, supported by Air AT. J. Reardon, and carried:— “Whereas the British Government has signally failed to apply to Ireland the principles for which it was declared the great war was fought, and for which thousands of Irishmen and their sons gave their lives; and whereas the said Government, by an abuse of power in instigating and abetting a system of murderous outrages, lias contravened every principle of justice and shocked every sentiment of humanity; and whereas Englishmen of every party and creed have condemned the prevailing policy of frightfulness; and whereas the Irish people through their duly-elected representatives have declared their intention to govern themselves; therefore be it resolved that: (1) This gathering of Irishmen and women and descendants of Irishmen records its sympathy with the Irish nation in its struggle for self-government,’ and expresses the hope that soon that ancient and honourable people will be free to work out its orwn destiny among the free nations of the earth; (2) a copy of this resolution be cabled to the Secretary of State for the Colonies; (3) a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Alinister of New Zealand.”

IRISH NATIONAL GONCERT

SUCCESSFUL GATHERING AT TOWN HALL. CROWDED ATTENDANCE. St. Patrick’s Day “in the evening” was celebrated at the Town. Hall last iiight - with a great gathering of descendants from the Emerald Isle, who assembled to the full seating capacity of the large hall at the annual national Irish concert. It is seldom, that the ball presents such an animated appearance as it bore last evening, or that enthusiasm rises to such heights as it reached. Tho chamber was filled some minutes before the

proceedings commenced, and many people were unable to gain admittance. The programme, as befitted the, occasion, was an all-Irish one, consisting of nineteen item®, all of which were encored. It had been carefully selected and carefully arranged, and in addition to some of the best local talent available, singers had been engaged from the South Island. The hall was set rolling with a selection of Irish airs rendered' by Braund’s Orchestra, which also similarly introduced the record portion of the programme. The tiers behind the platform were occupied by the pupils of ‘ the Alarist Brothers’ schools, clad in white, who sang under the direction of Brother Eusebius and accompanied by Brother Adrian at the grand organ the choruses “Hail Glorious St. Patrick,” “The West’s Awake,” and at the conclusion, of the concert, “God Save Ireland.” Other choruses sung by the students of St. Patrick’s College were “The Minstrel Boy,” “Let Erin Remember,” and “A Battle Hymn.” The most enthusiastic applause of the evening was provoked by the appearance of Miss Alaureen Murphy, a “hop o’ my thumb” tot, who with the greatest assurance in the woTld danced an Irish jig. Other dancing items were an Irish reel by the Misses McKay, Morse, B. and M. Hoskins and G. Smyth (the latter also . a very diminutive and oharming performer), and an Irish jig by the Misses Thelma, and Jean McKenzie. The other performers and their items were as follow :—Miss Alary MoKeowen (“Kathleen Mavourneen” and “The Harp that Once”), Air H. F. Wood (“The Days of Kerry Dancing and “Macnshla,” “The Wandering Minstrel,” “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes”), Air S. Warwick (“Ireland, a song or hope, and encore), Miss Frances Morrison, of Blenheim (“For the .Green,” “The Hills of Donegal ’ ‘ Mayourneen”). Mr G. H. Andrews, of *limaru (“The Irish Emigrant,” A Lattie Bit of Heaven,” “The Mountains o’ Moumne,” “Moira, Aly Girl”), Miss Teresa AlcEnroe (“Come Back to Erin,” “Love’s Young Dream,” ‘ She is far From the Land,” “The Fairy Glens of Ireland”,), and the Lyric Four (Messrs Phipp, Goudie, Brown, and Campbell), “Eileen Allannah” “Those Evening Bells,” “Oft m the Stilly Night.”