ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT HOWICK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 50, 4 April 1890, Page 5

ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT HOWICK.

(Auckland Evening Star, March 20.)

The celebration of the children's feast oa Monday last (St. Patrick's D^y) was truly a red-letter day for the picturesque and salubrioas village of Howick. Mrs. Keenan's paddock, where the sports were held, is beaatifully sheltered and blessed with an unfailing supply of good water. It, moreover, adjoins the prettily-arranged grounds of Monsignore McDonald, which maay visited, made themselves at home, and spoke in terms of much praise of his energy and good taste in laying out the same. They were particularly struck with the very creditable manner in which the cemetery is kept, and repeatedly referred to the labours of Father Walter in connection with the Auckland Cemetery whea it could be said it was the admiration of its citizens. Now for the real programme of the day. A start was made from the homely village of Panmure at 10.30 with special, conveyances for the children, followed by a long: train of vehicles, and headed by the Onebunga Brass Band, under the able direction of Mr. Hunter, the Monsignore, of course, being commander-io-cbief on his favourite charger, Shamrock ; the steed feeling proud of his green trappings, appeared to be fired with the enthusiasm of tha occasion. As the precession crossed the Tamaki Bridge it looked pretty in the extreme, the sea breeze expanding the beautifully worked bannerettes, at the same time a happy comingling of the rays of the sun falling down and fastening on the rosettes, St. Patrick's crosses, and telling particularly on the green immortal "Shamrock." On nearing Howick ihe Ellerslie and Panmure contingents alighted, and as they passed, the Howick youths opened out in file, and made the invigorating air of tnat village riDg with the cordial and enthusiastic welcome which they accorded them. On arriving at the appointed place of rendezvous they were formed into a circle by Father Walter, who addressed them and the very large assemblage in feeling terms Hearty cheers were then given for the ever memorable 17th of March (St. Patrick's Day), for Auckland friends who arrived in carriages and brakes in large numbers, for the band, and cheer after cheer tor Father Walter. The good things of this life were theu attacked by one and all. Mr. Robertson actei as caterer, and discharged his very responsible duties with general satisfaction. The first repast having been disposed of, all manner t f sports were then entered into with a gusto, including races for ths young of both sexes, swings, an ascending pole with a leg of mutton on its summit, three-legged races, hurliDg, cricket, etc. Aunt Sally c^uld also be seen holding a prominent position, and it is needless to say she had few sympathisers ; even her cousins hit her pr«tty faca with hard cocoanuts till it became almost beyond recognition. After, however, a very hard snuggle she was placed hors de combat ; bun whether medical aid and good nur9iug can build her up for a renewed attack on Panmure on next St. Patrick's Day — time, and time alone, must solve the question. There must have been on the ground ovt_r one thousand people— the largest and at the same time the most pleasurable gath-ring ever witnes-ed at Howick. At four a substa- - tial meal was provided for the children, and at five sharp the woul of command for home was given, and as the 'busses and otherconvej- ■ nces weie in leadiness for the return trip to take the chi dren and pirents to their respective homes, one and all in the exuberance of their hearts openly declared that H >wick, though out of the world, is still ai exceedingly pretty place, and its people kind and full of attention to visitors, especially the little ones and the aged, and added that never in their born days had they experienced such consummate pleasure as in the celebration of the children's feast there on S\ Patrick's Day, the 17th March, 1890. We are requested by Father Waller to exprees his thanks to M--. Crawford (Howick), Messrs. D. McPherson, J. Pilkington, J. Loomb and T. O'Connor (Panmure) tor the use of their vehicles to convey the'.chiidren to and from Howick — aIs!) to Mr. White, Ellerslie, and Mr.* Gill, Pakuranga. for the offering of a leg of mutton from each as prizes. As a finale to the Br. Patrick's Day sports a most successful concert and soiree was given at the Oddfellows' Hall, Howick, when there was scarcly standing room. Monsignore McDonald presided. Mr. Hunter, with his fine band, di»courstd sweet music at intervals, as he had already so well done during the day to the enjoyment of all. The following programme was spiritedly gone through, which includes BO7>e pieces prettily and pleasingly rendered by the pupils of St. Mary's School, under the direction of their devoted teacher, Miss M. Mulkere. The after music was obligingly and effectively supplied by Messrs. J. Brady (violin), G-. Smith and T. Hindly. A word of praise is due to Mr. Wilscn for his kindness in erecting the swings, etc. ProgrammeOpening piece, band ; piano solo, " The Wearing of the Green," Miss Mulkere ; etiorue, •' Oh, the Shamrock," pupils of the school and Miss Kerr ; song, ' Kate O'Shane," Mrs. Captain Irvine ; song, " Maid of Athens," Mr. Higgins ; recitation, "Snamrock from Home," Miss K. Brady ; song, Miss Brennan ; opening piece, Band ; piano solo, Miss Weber ; song, " Killarney," Miss Clarke ; eong, " The Minstrel Boy," Miss E. Brady ; song, '• Erin the Tear," Miss Kearney ; chorus, " St. Patrick's Day," the pupils.

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