ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 152, 31 March 1876, Page 12

ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN WELLINGTON.

-HSt. Patrick's Day was celebrated by the Catholic residents in Wellington quietly, discreetly, and pleasantly. At midnight, the Artillery Band played it iv with appropriate music, but there was no attempt at a demonstration, although a little enthusiasm was observable here and there while the band was passing. Masses and vespers were heard in the Roman Catholic churches, the banks were closed, and a foot race w\is held at a place called Kawarra, a distance of some two miles out from the city, at which a son of Si. Patrick won the first prize. Nothing more than these marked the day. Business went on in the usual manner until about seven o'clock iv the evening, the hour appointed by the Hibernian Society to meet at Vespers at Father O'Reilly's pretty little church. A few words about this church might not prove inappropriate. We are very proud of it here ; praise and admiration of its beauty rise on every lip, and you could pardon us if you could see it. It is not new, but recently it has beeu made a little gem of. A handsome residenco for the clergy has been built in front of it, and the place around it looks like a well-planned flower garden. You ascend from the street by a few steps, and turning the gravelled walk to the left, which leads to the residence, you will observe a bed of flowers which at once reminds you of the Sacred Heart. To the right is a circular walk ascending to the church, which is a few yarus higher up, and all around is green verdure and flowers. Inside it is equally pretty, being recently painted and remodelled in many respects. There are time altars, and at either side of them is a confessional, worked into the wall and displaying nota little of the wood-carver's art. Everything around is in keeping with all this, and in fact, though I have seen a few churches in my travels, I

have no hesitation in saying that I have not seen in any land so well arranged or so well designed a church before. Father O'Reilly is its founder and its pastor, and to him it owes much, but to the intelligence, energy, and industry of Father Kearney, his curate, it owes its ] present beauty. In this church the members of llipjHiberman Society met, dressed in the regiilia of the Society. It was ciowded to excess. There was a splendid choir, and Father Kearney preached a very eloquent panegyric on St. Patrick. After Vespers and Henediction, the members of the Hibernian Society and their friends adjourned to the Catholic school-room in the immediate vicinity of the church, and sat down to an excellent tea. The chair was occupied by Mr, J. O'Shea. To his right sit Rev. Fathers O'Reilly and Kearney, and to his left Father Petit Jean. The good things being dispos»d of, the Chairman proposed the toasts usual on such occasions, all of which ■were responded to in appropriate terms, and drunk enthusiastically. A good many songs were sung, perfect good fellowship and unanimity existed, and it is my pleasing duty to record, though the wines were ad libitum, no sign of drink was observable on any one present. The drinking of the Chairman's health and that gentleman's response, brought a very pleasantly-spent evening to a conclusion about twelve o'clock, and all separated for their respective homes, wishing each other many happy returns of St. Patrick's Day. Wellington, March 18, 1876.