WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 27 March 1896, Page 18

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

March 22, 18IC The Hibernian Society approached the City Council with respect to having the usual weekly half holiday held on St Patrick's Day (Tuesday) instead of Wednesday. The City Council acseded to the reqnest and the mayor accordingly invited the citizecß to close on Tuesday, but a section of the shopkeepers declined to do bo, and pnt a notice in the papers to that effect, in fact they attempted to spoil the holiday. : But their efforts only recoiled on themselves, for they might as well have closed, as far as the business done was concerned, whilst the following day was so wet and miserable that it was practically of no use to the employees. It is hard to under, stand the motives which induced the malcontents to take np the stand they did. If it was intended as a protest against St Patrick's Day being observed bb a national festival by the Irishmen of Wellington it will certainly defeat its own ends, A stroßger power than a section of the shopkeepers of this city have been trying to crush out the Bpirit of Irish nationality during hundreds of years and have lamentably failed. Had St Patrick's Day fallen on Saturday one could readily understand the inconvenience that would be caused by closing on such a day ; but there seemed to be be no valid reason urged why Tuesday would not suit just as well as Wednesday, Until some good reasons are fortbeemmg for the obstinacy of theße shopkeepers to fall in with the nquestef Ihe major, their acti n must be looked upon as ill-advised. St Patrick's Day was observed here as a public holiday bj the Government officers, banks, City Cjuucil and othar institutions. A number of shops were also closed, but in consequence of the action of a section of the tradespeople, referred to elsewhere, many of the shopkeepers wto intended to shut up were compelled to keep opec There were early Masses celebrated in all the churches, which were attendtd by large congregations. The Hibernian Society held a picuic at the Very Rev Father Lane's ground", Lower Hutt, to which they generously invited the children attendirg the Catholic schools, taking then out by train free of charge. Shortly after cine o'clock the children of the Te Aro parish to the number of about 700, formed in procession at St Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street, and, headed by about forty of the Hibernian Society, and preceded by the St Joseph's Brass Band, wended their way to the Te Aro railway station, whence they went by train to the Lower Hutt. Another contingent of children from the Taorndon side joined them at the Wellington station, making np a crowd of happy, healthy, and intelligent-locking joungsters, to the number of 1000. Besides these there was a large number of adults. During the day many visitors went out by the various trainß, so that there must have been from 1 500 to 2,000 on the gronnds during the afternoon. SpoTts and games of various kinds and a merry-go-round were provided for the yourgsters, who apparently enjoyed themselves very much, until about four o'clcck, when a heavy shower brought the proceedings to an abrupt close. Among the visitors were Mr George Fißher (Mayor of Wellington), the Very Rev Father Devoy, the Very Rev Dr Waiters, Very Rev Father Lane, Rev Father Goggan, many of St Patrick's College faculty, Dr Cahill, etc. The following were on the committee of management : — Rev Father Goggan, hnd Bros P. Carmody (president), K. O'Leary (vice-president), M.Bohan(treasurer), W. J. Grant (secretary), P. McMahon, McCarthy J. Hyland, Stratford, McLoughlin, Doherty, F. Burke and ScanLn; The majority of the picnickers returned to Wellington by the quarter past five train, which consisted of eighteen carriiges, all if wbiah were crowded. In the eveaing there was a very large audience at the Op a ra House, when a grand Irish national concert was given under the auspices of the Hibernian Society. Every seit in the dress

circle, stalls, and family circle was occupied, among those . prteent beiDg his worship the Mayor, Very Bey Father Devoy, Very Rev Dr Watters, several of the local clergy, and many prominent citizens. The first part of the entertainment was devoted to a delineation of Irish scenery, ant ; quities ) and places of pnblic interest, by means of lante r n views. The pictures were very fine, and their appearance was greeted with rounds of applnust. The Rev Father Goggan was lecturer, and a model one be proved to be, for his descriptions, although necessarily brief, were comprehensive and graphic, with occasional gleams of humour thrown in, which added a piquancy to bis remarks, which was much appreciated by the deeply interested audience. The rev lec'urtr tookhigheartrs with him to the " black North," and then proceeded by easy stages into Connaught, Leinster, and Munster, making the journey easy by flowery description of scenery, quaint historical references and humorous comments. He showed them pictures of that natural formation the Giant's Causeway, the historic walls of Derry, the primatial city of Armagh ; a bit of Galway town, with a fringe of the Claddagb, noted for the conservatism of the inhabitants arjd its uncrowned king ; the historic Rock of Cashel, the Seven Churches of Glendalough, the Parliament Hoouse in College Green, reminiscent of the eloquence ofGrattan and Flood, but cow dcv ted to bankingbusiness ; Blarney Castle, sung of by Father Prout ; Glasnevin Cemetery, with its modern round tower, raised in m?m ry of the great O'Connell ; arjd last but not least, the far-famed Lak'aof Killarney, umqnalled for their scenery in the wide world. An excellent musical programme made up the second portion cf the entertainment. Miss N. Parsons was warmly applauded for ber singing oj " Kate O'Shane," remarkable for purity of intonation and good expression. Madame Eveleen Carlton sang with much feeling and rxpression " Come back to Erin," and in answer to an encore guve " Liury O'More." Later on she was heard to much advantage in " Believe me of nil those endearing young charms." Mus N Gage sang " The dear little shamrock," for which she was warmly applauded. Mr E.J. Hil contributed " The Irish Emigrant," and waß encored, and in response gang "My pipe-" from " Rip Van Wickle." Mr A. Millar bad to ret-pond to an encore for the rollicking ''Off to Philadelphia," and gave " The wreck of the Salamander." Mr U. B. Williams saog with much taste " 0 Erin my country," and Madame Evelepu Carlton and Mr E. J. Hill sang in a charmiog manner ' he duet, " Way am I not thy guardian, dear ?" from Benedict's " Lily of Killarney." One of the beat items of the concert was the qaartet, •' Toe miaatrel boy," by Madame Carlton, Miss N. Parsons, Messrs K. J. Hill and A. Millar. Mr Mac Duff B iyd played the violin solo " Savoureen Daeiish' 1 in his accustomed artistic style, and was ably accompanied on the piano by Miss Kebbell. An efficient orchestra anler the conductorship of Mr Mac Duff Boyd payed the overtures and finale, Mr Coney acted as accompanist, and played in a remarkably sympathetic manner. The stage was hun^ with the bannei of the Hibernian Sucieiy, surmoun e\ by tne Irish flag, on titner side of which was the Union Jack ani the S^ars and S npes, musing a very effective tableau. St, Patrick's College Brass Band, rnaie its first appearance in public this Beasjn, on St Patrick's morning, when under the conductorsbip of Mr S. Cimino, it played a selection of Irish airs ia the college grounds. There was a large number ot the general public present, and the playing of the young collegians was favourably commented on, and much appreciated. St Patrick's Day was celebrated in Palmerston North by a te» party, concert and dance in the Theatre Royal, in aid of the funds of the convent. The tea tables were presided over ry Mesdamee Brophy, O'Coanell and Hanlon, assisted by a bevy of young ladies. After jastlce bad been done to the excellent spread, a concert was held iv which the following took part :— Misses Dtlmare, X mocii,

Anderson, Brandon, Scanlon, Messrs Rountice, Tombs, Adams, Naylor, Rollins, Bryant, Donnelly and dreamy. A very successful concert was held in the Theatre Boyal, Masterton, on St Patrick's night, in aid of the funds of the Catholic school The building was crowded, and the programme submitted — an excellent one— received with much appreciation. Tbe popnUrity of the Very Bey Father McKenna has much to do with the success which attends entertainments of this kind in Masterton. and the large audience on Wednesday night was another evidence of the esteem in which he is held by all classes.