LEESTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 27, 3 April 1891, Page 20

LEESTON

(From an Occasional C irrespondent.)

Within the last fe*v months sreit clung -s have taken pace here in Catholic Church matters. Father Chervier, S.M., is cow living in our midst, having fix^d his abode in the splendid new presbytery which was erected during la=t year, so tint L'esti'i is now th" head quarters of the parish from wh'Ti 1 toe whole diitmt is to bo worked'

Now as the priest was living iv our midst it was resolved that St. Patrick's Day shou'd be celebrated in a becoming mm&er. With that obj ct in vi^w, a strong committee wag formed somj time back to collect subscriptions a d m.ike all n.'cessiry arrangements. Tbe subscriptions rolled in without much troub'e. 8) that the woik of the committee in that respect \va j r ither a light one. The celebration took the shape of a Fchool treat anJ parish pic-ntc combined, so that the old and young enjoyed themselves. Prizes and toys were procured for tbe caldron, Mr Ilunmoni of Leeston presented the committee with a valuible lo* of t ys, for which the promoters wfre very thankful. The committee also pubhcly expre«s their th *nks to Sir J.

M.H R., fjr his aubscripti >n ot £2 towards the prize fund

On Tuesday, March 17, Mass was celebrated by Rev Fit her Chervier, after which all proceeled to thi grounls of th^ EUesmere A. and P. Association where the gathering was to be. Everything was in readiness there for au enjoyable afternoon ; the weather, too, was all that coul Ibe desired. During the afternoon a long programme of racis was gnne through — the vaiioug events being contested very keenly — the ihret-legged, egg and spoon, and blindfolded races causing great amusement. While the progrimma was being gone through the children were having sports and games of their own. Refreshments were provided for all by tha following ladies of the congregation, viz., Mesdames J. Fay, M O'Biien, W. Gittens, P, O'Boylo, W. Holly, T. Greenan. F. OB ye, A. M'Cloy, W. Kelly, T. Donohue, Jas. O Boyle, Jjhn O'Boyle, A. Campbell, J. Flood, P. M'Eveily and E. Bohan. La'e in the afternoon the step dancing of Messrs E. Boban, J. Young, W. Gittens, an I Kane, recalled familiar scenes in the old land to the minds of many of those present. Duiing the afternoon many non-Catholics visited the grounds, and were made welcome by the committee. Nearly all the young people present were natives of the Ellesmere district, and it reflects tbe greatest credit on their Irish paren s to h*ve brought them up with such love for the lfini of their fathers. It was a great pleasure indeed to see the children of those exilts of Erin, taking a leading pait in tbe celebration cf St. Patrick's Day.