ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT SHAND'S TRACK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 50, 5 April 1889, Page 13

ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT SHAND'S TRACK.

On Monday, the 18th March, the festival of the Patron Saint of Ireland was celebrated here with great eclat. Around the church presented a very lively appearance. During the day there was luncheon provided for the children in the schoolroom and also several prizes were distributed amongst them tor athletic exercises, etc. Tbe New Head ford branch of the H.A.C.8.8. held a banquet in the afternoon, which was a pronounced success. They must thank tbe Rev. Father Binsfeld very much for his untiring effortß in futherance of the celebration. The tables were nicely decorated, which does great credit to the ladies of the parish, who spared no pains towards making the affair a success. At tbe hour of 7 o'clock, the time announced for the banquet, about three hundred ladies and gentlemen sat down, and I am sure thoroughly enjoyed themselves, to the repot Bet before them. After the feast being over, tbe Rev. Father Chervier tjok tbe chair, who was supported on his right by the Rev. Father Binsfeld. After a pause of a few minutes the chairman rose and proposed " Our Holy Father the Pope," showing in a very elaborate speech tbe feelings of kindness and love our Holy Father bore towards the c lildrcn of St. Patrick, reading for the audience a letter whici most of us are acquainted with by now, from His Holiness to Archbishop Walehe of Dablin, showing bis indefatigable love and esteem for his Irish children, also giving bis hearty approval towards tbe methods now carried on for gaining their independence. Father Chervier although not an Irishman, he thought by now, after having lived for thirty years amongst them he could safely say he was more Irish than the Irish themselves. In conclusion he wish?d his hearers to follow the teachings of St. Patrick aa their ancestors had done in the past and to pray for " Our Holy Father the Pope," as it was only right to pray and honour the successor of him who had sent St. Patrick to evangelise Ireland.— The toast waa drunk right royally. The Chairman proposed " St. Patrick's, the day we celebrate," which was responded to by Rev. Father Binsfeld, who gave a very graphic description of the saint's life, from the time when he first was carried to Ireland and sold as a slave till his re- ippearing there again in the form «f a Divine messenger, sent by heaven to convert these people %horn he had served as their slave, and what miraculous success attended him in his travels, converting the whole country as he went along, kings and princes throwing their idols aside and following his teaching. He said he thought Ireland waa the only countiy converted to the faith without the shedding of one •irop of blood. The Irish were deeply indebted to St. Patrick, and, though not himself an Irishman, he was proud to be among them

that evening. He hoped the Irish and their descendants in these colonies would: always prove themselves worthy to be called the sons and daughters of St. Patrick, as their forefathers had done in the past. In conclusion, he hoped the toast would be drunk with enthusiasm. The Chairman proposed the " Irish Parliamentary Party," which was responded to by Mr. Leathern and Mr. Henley. Mr. Leathern, in a brief bat pithy speech, said never till these late years had the Irish anyone whom they cculd trust to represent them in Parliament, but thanks to their noble leader, Charles Stewart Parnell, they had now a band of Btalwart men who would force their country's wrongs on tfae House of Commons and never waver until they had gained the last link of their independence. In conclusion he said be hoped all in the room who had not done so already, would subscribe before they left, to the Parnell Defence Fond. I must say the adroit manner injwhichihe put bis concluding remarks drew from a gentleman present a handsome donation. Mr. Henley followed in an able speech, showing how the vile slanderers of cur country's representatives had at laßt got bogged in their own mire and what disgrace the present Government had fallen into by backing up their petted organ the Times ; how they bad brought jailbirds, spieo and informers, men of the most degraded type, from every nook and corner to blacken our country's representatives in the eyes of the English people, but they had emerged triumphant, and the Government's death-knell is sounded aB the dawn of Ireland's liberty drawi near (applause). The chairman proposed " The ladies," which was responded to by Mr. Farrell and Mr. Leathern, jnr. Mr. Farrell said he thought they were under a great debt of gratitude towards the ladies who were so zealous in their endeavours all through towards the success of the eatertainment, and he hoped that all present would be spared many long and happy St. Patrick's Days to meet together to honour their Patron Saint as they had done this evening. Mr. Leathern, jnr., endorsed Mr. Farr ell's remarks. I may mention that during the intervals that elapsed between the toasts, there were some excellent songs, one in particular sung by Mrs Nolan, " Home Rule for Ireland," which brought down thunders of applause; Miss Henley, Mr. J. Ryan and several others also sang, after which there were three hearty cheers given for Rev. Father Chervier and Father Binefeld, which brought a very pleasant evening to a close.