TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 27 March 1896, Page 15

TI M A R U.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

The annual celebration of St Patrick's Day by the local branch of the Hibernian Society took the shape this year of a social ami Conversazione. The boy's Bchoolroom waa tasttfully decorated for the occaßion with evergreens, flowers and bun'ing. On entering the room the visitor was at once struck with tbe novelty of the arrangements and decorations, There was an entire absence of stiffness, the room resembling a mioiature garden, dotted around with trees and shrubs growing apparently none the worse for their peculiar situation, with a number of arbours quaint nook*, and rustic s»ttirg places promiscuously arranged where visitors had ample opportunities of indulging in the numerous games provided. Amongst the (lags the 41 Harp of Erin" and the beautiful banner of the branch were particularly noticeable. Strings of illuminated Chinese lanterns lent a charming effect to the surrounding greeoery and when iha room was further decorated by the ladies in their costumes of varied colours tbe effect was pronounced by many to ba dazzlijgly pretty. Too mnch praise cannot be given to the decoration committee (mentioned below) for the energy and despatch with which they carried out their work and for producing such excellent results in the short time at their disposal. At eight o'clock the room was comfortably filled, the different tables etc , being "marred" to their full complement. Amongst the visitors were the Rev fathers Lewis and Tubman, Rev Brothers Pius and Dunstan, his Worship the Mnyor, Messrs Hole and Houston, also Messrs McAuliffe, Albert and Polaschek (Temuka) (the promoters of the new branch of the Hibernian (Society about to be opened in Temuka) and several othir '.gen'. lemen. An overture, "A Fantasia on Irish airs," played by Miss Fitzgerald and Mrs

Dennehy was the first item of a long programme of song, recitations and musical selections rendered at intervals during the evening. Mrs W. Canningham, Misses McKennah and Halfourd 'and Messrs B. Quinn, ,1. McKsnnah, M. F. Dennehy, McAuliffe, PoUschek and T. J. Kennedy rendered songs, the last named being very successful in his comic items, which fairly brought down tbe hou*e. Misses Collins and McGowan and Messrs Dennehy and J. P. McGjwangaverecitations, (.11 of which were well received. The items rendered were chit fly national in spiri" and suitable to the occasion. A stepdance, " St Patrick's day," followed by an Irish jig, was danced by Mr W, Fitzgerald, Mr Walsh supplying the music with/ his violin. As a special item, M»9ter M. Mahoney sang in .character " The dispensary doctor " and was greeted with rounds of applause. Previous to an interval for refreshments the president, Mr Patrick Kane, in a neat speech welcomed all present with a genuine Ccud mile failte and expressed his pleasure at seeing so^manySjoiDing in celebrating the feast of St Patrick. Toe president then invited all to refreshments and entertained them in a truly hoßpitableJmanrjer. One and all, young and old, seemed to thoroughly enjoyj'.themselves. Before the close of the evening the!(Rev Father Lewis congratulated the Hibernians on the Buccesß of their celebration, atter which all present joined hands and sang '• God save Ireland " as a finale. The decorating was carried out by Messrs P. Kane, M. Fitzgerald, J, Feeley, T. McKennab, B. Rodgers and J. Cunningham. The programme was in the hands of Messrs Dennehy, Mulhns and Pj McGowan, and the business management to the energetic secretary, Mr T. Sheeby, whose arduous duties were smartly carried out. Miss Fitzerald payed all the accompaniments with much skill and taste. Her playing was quite a feature of the evening, and when her skill in that respect is combined with an agreeableness of manner and an ever ready spirit that knows no ruffling, it is no wonder she gave the greatest satisfaction to all. The piano, a handsome, well-toned instrument, was kindly lent for the occasion by Mr M. Mullin, who, I might add, worked energetically to make the gathering a success. On the whole, the Hibernians may congratulate themselves on celebrating v t Patrick's Day in a manner worthy of the occanoD.