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

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 24, 1 April 1892, Page 13

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

As your valuable paper finds its way into every Irish bouaehold and is read with delight by every Irish man and woman in this district, I send you a short account of how the Irish pioneers celebrated the feast of Ireland's glorious Apostle in this parish.

Following the advice of our esteemed and zealous pastor, the Rev. Father Halbwachs, who for weeks, nay months, previously, contemplated the celebratiou of St, Patrick's Day with doe solemnity, both with the spirit of religion and patriotism, and to whose untiring seal is due the success which attended our efforts, the whole congregation attended at eleven o'clock Mass, and listened.with wrapt attentioo to a panegyric on the great Saint delivered by the Rev. Father, daring the delivery of which they were moved to tears.

Owing to the inclemency of the weather the sports, which were to be held after Mass, bad to be postponed. Meantime the people as* semblcd in the schoolroom and partook of light refreshments provided by the ladies of the parish , and presided over by Mesdames Leathern and O'Neil, after which indoor innocent amusements were indulged in until Vespers in the evening, when it was fondly hoped the weather might clear up, and so give an opportunity to persons in the outlying districts to attend the banquet at night. But the wish was father to the thought, as the rain (which came down steadily all day) towardt night fell in torrents ; notwithstanding which about two hundred guests sat down to a most excellent repast, provided, as were the other refreshments, by our lady friends and presided over by our esteemed fellow parishioner, that genuine Irishman, Mr Thomas Leathern. The room was elaborately and beautifully decorated on the occasion by the Misses Henley, while bunches of real live shamrocks stuck out in bold relief in various parts of the room, the gift of Mr Michael O'Connor of Green Park.

Prominent amongst the guests were the Henleys, Byans, Leathems O'Connors, O'Neils, O'Gradys, Dohertys, Browns, Maguires. Doyles McVeighs etc, etc, in short the real pioneers of Catholicity in thii province. The tcast list, amongst others, included '• The Pope " " Our Native Land," "Our adopted country," "The day we celebrate,'' " The Hibernian Society," all of which were ably responded to ; but the speeches of the evening were those of the Rev. Father Halbwachi in responding to " The day we celebrate" and The Hibernian Society During the evening some capital songs were sung and several exhibitions of Irish step dancing given. The singing " God save Ireland" and " Auld Lang Syne " brought to a close the pleasantest reunion of Catholics ever held in this parish.