ST. PATRICK’S DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11162, 18 March 1922, Page 2

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

OBSERVED YEBTERDAY PROCESSION THROUGH CITY AND SPORT’S TO-DAY. IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT. March 17th is the day om which the son of Erin commemorates his birthright. Yesterday he celebrated it quietly. It was a half-and-half holiday. The banks and insurance offices were closed. The combined banks held their annual picnic at Day’s Bay, and lawyers and insurance men spent a pleasant time—or as pleasant as the weather would allow them—wielding the willow, instead of the brief and the policy, at the Basin Reserve. Over a festive glass, the events associated with the struggle for Home Rule, Devolution and- Republic were recalled, and rfeny grew eloquent over the prospect of a happy solution of Ireland’s problems. But Irishmen will celebrate their patron saint in real earnest to-day, when the annual procession will taKe place, leaving the Government .Buildings' at 10.3 b a.m. Everything possible has been done ito make the Bporte at Newtown Park attractive and worthy of tiie celebration. The number or entries for the various athletic events assures interesting and exciting contests. There will also be dancing competitions and spectacular displays by 1000 children, -associated with baby shows, which will provide interest for all who attend.

, IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT. SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT. Despite the continued downpour of rain, the Town Hall was comfortably Blled last night when the annual Irish national concert was held. The progiamme was long and varied, and embraced solo numbers, instrumental items', choruses by children, dances, quartettes, and elocuftionary 'items. Several items were vigorously enoored. The programme was as follows: — Chorus, “The Dear Little Shamrock” and “Beautiful Ireland,” pupils of the Marist Brothers’ Schools; song, “Oft in the Stilly Night” and "The Minsitr.el Boy,” Mr H. F. Woods; song, “The Fairy Tales of Ireland” and “Far From the Land,” Miss Teresa McEnroe; cornet solo, “The Harp That Once,” Mr T. Goodall; quartette, “Killarney” and “Eileen Alannah,” the Lyric Four (Messrs Phipps, Goudie, Brown and Campbell); song, ‘ ‘Rich and Rare” and “Irish Lullaby,” Miss Mabelle Esquilant; song, ‘ ‘The Irish. Emigrant” and “Irish Soldier’s Song,” Mr G. H. Andrews; song, “The Kerry’ Dance'* and “Barney O’Hea,” Miss Winnie Fraeer; dance, “Irish Fourhand Reel,” Master and Miss Eustace, Misses Jean and Thelma McKenzie; recitation, “Shiels, on Irish Loyalty and Valour,” Mr L. Hanlon; danpe, Irish jig, Miss Jean McKenzie. The audience joined heartily in singing “God Save Ireland” at the close of the entertainment. _ McLaughlin’s orchestra rendered, Irish airs. Mr Harold Whittle was accompanist, Mr P. D. Hoskins, secretary and concert director, and Mr T. O’Brien, stage ntanager. PROCESSION AT GREYMOUTH

rs» PBBSS ASSOCIATION. GREYMOUTH, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day celebration was largely attended. There was a prooession through the main streets, sports at Victoria Park, and national entertainments to-night.