AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 24, 1 April 1892, Page 27

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.)

March 21, 1892. No day is looked forward to with so much interest by the Oatholio children of Auckland as the feast of St Patrick ; and one can imagine, therefore, the disappointment which the poor little ones felt on Thursday morning last, when they awoke to fiad rain falling and the morning very gloomy. As the weather was very unfavourable, it was decided to postpone the annual fete until Saturday. The children of St Benedict's and Surrey Hills, and those of Parnell had monster house parties, celebrating St Patrick's Day under roof, and persuading themselves that they were enjoying it. I looked in ac the hall where the Newton children were, near St Benedict's Church, and saw 300 gathered there, some of them singing with the greatest good* will, others playing, and all walking about on a very muddy floor in a

remarkably damp atmosphere. Tbe rain of Thursday was certainly a great disappointment. It is told that one little boy had polUhed bis >oots the evening before and had got his best clothes ready, with a harp on the breast of bis coat, but awoke through the night to hear the rain falling, when he burst out crying. On Saturday, though the weather waa still gloomy, the children of Bt Patrick's schools assembled at the Cathedral, where Mass was celebrated at nine o'clock by the Rev Father Hackett, who gave a brief address, principally a sketch of the life of St Patrick, who, he believes, was born in Scotland. The orphans of St Mary's and the children of the Ponaonbj schools marched to the Cathedral, preceded by Mr Hunter's band, who then took a place at the head of the general procession, which walked through Hobaon, Wellesley, and Symonds streets to the Domain, banners and bannerettes flying, and music sounding, tbo children wearing green rosettes, harps, and sashes. The St Patrick's schools were under tbe charge of the Bet Fathers Haokstt and Doyle, the Marist Brothers, Misses Bheehao, Gough, O'Neill, flarkins, Carrigan, Donovan. Messrs P. Dignan, Garlick, Martin, Amodeo, and others. The Rev Fathers Oillan and Egan, Misses Darby, Maguire, Lanigan and Martin, and Messrs Maguire and Harkins superintended the Ponsonby schools. In tbs Domain, ample food supplies were given to the children, who then ran races and had various sports, returning to town shortly after five o'clock. Tbe Very Bey Monsignor McDonald was on the ground daring the day, and so was the Mayor of Auckland, Mr Crowther, who distributed a large quantity of lollies to tbe children . In tbe afternoon.tbe 8t Benedict's and Surrey Hills children appeared on the grounds with the Bey Father Gregory and their teachers. The Bey Father O'Oara left for London by the Kiikouraon Saturday, when many of his friends, including the Bey Fathers Downey, Egan, and Lenihan, Dr Bake well, Mr and Mrs E. Mahooy, Mrs Connolly, Mr P. Darby, and others went to say good-bye. On Bt Patrick's night, a splendid concert was given in St James' Hall, the programme almost entirely comprising Irish melodies, rendered by capable musicians. Mr Morath, a tenor heard for the first time here, sang with a good deal of success, while Misses Knight, Qainn, Donovan, Corrigan, Mesdames Tutscha and Simpson, Dr Egan, Messrs T. M, Jackson, Williamson, Tapper, Simpson, and W. H. George also gave vocal solos. A violin solo, an arrangement of the "Last Rose of Summer," was rendered with taste by Miss Julia Moran, for whom Miss Moran played the pianoforte accompaniment with most charming effect. In Thalberg's " Home, Sweet Home," a pianoforte solo, Miss Lynch achieved great success. Before Father O'Gara left Hamilton, where he has lived for many years, he received an address from the people and a handsome morocco dressing-case from the children. In reply be said he would always remember bis Waikato parish and people wherever he went.