ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 48, 26 March 1897, Page 23

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

DUNEDIN.

The day which had been so much looked forward to, and for \\ hich such active preparations had been made, came at last and a

lovelier day could scarcely have been desired. It proved to be, as we predicted it would, a day of wholesome and genuine enjoyment. In Ihe morning High Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin, and the Very Rev. Father O'Neill, of Milton, delivered an eloquent and stirring address on the life and work of St. Patrick. After the celebration of the Mabs the children of the Catholic schools, marshalled by the Christian Brothers, marched in a body to the Caledonian Grounds where their material wants were attended to by a committee of ladies who had generously undertaken this by no means easy task. The sports commenced shortly after one o'clock and as the afternoon wore on a very large crowd assembled on the grounds. Amongst those present were his Lordship the Most llev. Dr. Verdon, the Rev. Fathers Moloney and Dunne (visitors from New South Wales) Fathers O'Neill (Milton) Lynch (Pahnerston). McMullan (Port Chalmers) and Fathers Murphy, Ryan and O'Neill (Dunedin). His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Hugh Grourley) and Mr. Hone Heke, M.H.R., were also present. This is the first time in Dunedin that the demonstration has been carried out on such a large scale, and the committee will probably not be above learning a little from this first experiment. The experience of Wednesday suggests a doubt as to the wisdom of trying to combine a children's demonstration with regular athletic sports and it shows further the urgent necessity of making all entries to the events clo^e two or three days before the sports take place. It is elcaily unfair to the handicappers to expect them to deal with a swarm of fresh entries at the very last moment. Considering all the difficulties they had to contend with the committee managed remarkably well and the crowd appeared to thoroughly enjoy the varkd programme that was goce through. From a sporting point of view the cycling races were the most interesting events of the day. The Bishop's handicap (three miles open) was a splendid race and endi d, after a magnificent race home, in a dead heat between Young and Bell. The finish of the five-mile race also promised to bo a most exciting one but was spoiled by an unfortunate collision as the result of which four of the leading riders were brought down. The hurling match and the Irish jig competition were extremely mteiesting and enjoyable, while the egg and spoon race, wheelbarrow race, smokers' race, and " international boat-race " created no end of merriment. The " march past," by the standards of the Catholic schools was on the whole very well executed indeed. Considuing the special disabilities under which they laboured, the first section oi the girlb marched remarkably well. '1 he following w ere the officials at the demonstration :—: — March past. — Messrs. Petre, Callan and Dobbin. Hurling. — Mr. Listen. Boat race. — Messrs. Meenan and Petre. Foot races. — Mussis. Fen ton. Scott, D. W. Woods and E. J. McKelvey. Walking. — Messrs. Carr. Fleming and E. J. McKelvey. Cycling. — Rev. Father Ryan. Messrs. Callan, Scott, A. Ilarrib and Dunne. Barrow, obstacle, egg -and-spoon and smokers' races. — Messrs.,). J. Connor, Petre, Fetitun and Blaney. Boot lacing. — Messrs. D. W. Woods, Petre and T. llu.ue. Dancing, — Messrs. Fenton. Carolin and J. lU.uiej. Hon. handicappers. — Messrs. W. Riddle (bicycle), W. Carr, K. J. MeKehcy and M. Fenton. Starters. — Messrs. F\ W. Peiie. A. Harris and Couie (bicycle). Timekeepers. — Messrs. J. Liston and J. Murray. Secretaries. — Messrs. O'Connor and O'Neill. The following aie the results of the e\ents :: — ■ (iirU' race, Hioyds. (under H). Prizes, pair of boots, pair of shoes and trophy. — Kate Tubnian I, A. Walsh 2. Annie Walsh H. Holi-mile \salk, lor boys attending Christian Brothers' School. First pri/,e, trophy, value Cl ; second, two jerseys. — Daniel O'Connel 1, Todd 2. Mahon :5. There were 30 starters. Marching contest, by the standards of the Catholic schools. For banner and decorations. — No. 7 Standard Christian Brothers' Schools 1, No. C> Standard 2, No. :5 Standard 3. Standards from the girls' schools also competed. Egg-and-spoon race, ."iOyds. First prize, half a ton of coal ; second, tin of tea. — Frank Foster 1 , S. M'Kewen 2. Boys" foot race, 1 OOyds (tor boys under 12). First prize, boy's suit ; second, a lamb ; third, 2.jlb bag of flour. — John Hannagan 1, A. Bodkin 2. P. Fitzpatrick ,i. One-mile bicycle nice. First prize, trophy, value £2 2s ; second, trophy, \aluo XI Is. — W. Loll, ber, 1 ; Young, 70yds, 2. Also staited C. Home 30yds. S. Minn .*>OyxU, W. Begg GOyds, J. M Bryde 7(>yds. F. Anderson lUOyds. Won by half a wheel. Time. 2min 2.\,see. Blindfold 'wheelbarrow race, ."iOyds. First prize, pair of trousers ; second, trophy, value 10-s (id. — Clancey 1, Deehan 2, BPEwen .5. Three-mile bicycle race (open). Bishop's handicap. Fiist prize, trophy, "wilue L.~, .V, : second, trophy, \alue Cl Is. — J. Young, 18(1 yd-, and \\. Btll. sur. dead heat; 1". Ralston, l.'.yds, 15. Also stmud ('.Horn Nijds, s. Minn 1 10 yds, W. Begg- ltii'yds, J. Young Ini^ls, T Maw 22<>\<k. A splendid race, ending in a dead heat betw ecu Young and Bell. Time, 7min.

Married ladies' race. 100 yds. First prize, trophy ; second, pair of boots ; third, case of jam. — Mrs. Sharkey 1. Mrs. Greaney2, Mrs. Maher 3. Single ladies' race. First prize, value tils; second, pair of ladies' boots; third, trophy. — Miss Kelly 1. Miss Japp 2, Miss Wilkins 3. International boat race, 50yds. First prize, case of cordials ; becond, box of tea. — J. M'Ewen 1. J. Walker 2. Two-mile bicycle race (rondster). First prize, trophy, value £3 3s : second, trophy, value £1 Is. — E. Crawford. 70yeK 1 : S. D. Eden, 200 yds. 2: F. Anderson. 1 10 yds, 3. Also stai ted, P. Ralston scr, J. M'Bryde (>oyds. Won easily by hall' a down lengths. Time. .~>inin 35^ sec. Demonstration handicap (for all comers), 220yd-. First prizo. trophy, value £2 2s: second, trophy, \alue Cl N, third, a ham. value 10s. This event was run in heats, the final heat resulting as follow*. — Botting 1, Harley 2, Miscall 3. At the conclusion of the race a protest was lodged against Botting being declared the winner, but it was not sustained. Iri&h jig. First prize, trophy, value £2 2s ; second, box of tea. — H. J. M'Beath 1, D. 11. Macd<mnld 2. Five others competed. Boys' race. 150 yds (under ](>). First prize, Boys' Own Annual ; second, cake, value 15s . third, two books. — Rossbotham 1, Paton 2. Nagle 3. Obstacle race. 75yds. First prize, trophy ; second, box of tea — C. Bowie 1 , M. Roach 2. Boot-lacing race. 50yds. out and 50yels. home. First prize, box of cordials ; second, box ot tea. — J. Hill 1, Burton 2. Striking ball contest. First prize, box of tea : second, pair of fowls. — Keogh 1, King 2. Putting the weight (tor youths under 20). First prize, book, value 10s ; second, box of tea. — Rogers 1. Kelly 2. Smokers' race. In this event each of the competitors had to light his pipe and run 1 00 yds. — Foster 1, Yorston 2. Half-mile fiat race, ior boys attending the Christian Brothers' schools. First prize, trophy, value XI : second, trophy. — Salter 1. Scanlan 2s. Football kicking contest. First prize, trophy, value X2s 2< ; second, trophy, value lo.s. — Maxwell 1. Ross 2. Five mile bicycle race (open). First prize, trophy, value Csss ; second, trophy, value C 2 2s. — P. Ralston. 20yeK. 1 ; 11. Cameron ISOyds.. 2 : T. Maw. 320 yds.. 3. Also started : W. Bell scratch, C. Home 120 yds.. S. Mum 210 yds., W. Begg 230 yds.. J. M'Bryde 250 yds. and J. Young 2<>Oyds. There was every prospect of an exciting finish to this e\ent when just before entering the straight for the race home Home collided with Bell and the four leading riders were brought to the ground. Ralston continued and won by 20yds from Cameron, who was a lew lengths from Maw. Time. I,'imin. 54s.ee. Tug-of-war. First prize, trophy, value Cl. — In this event thirteen men representing' Duneelin City pulled against an equal number representing South Dunedin. the event beinu won by the former. Hurling match. Prize, silver cup mid trophy value Cl. — Eleven men representing Dunedin City competed in this event against the same number representing South Duneelin. As in the previous case, the Dunedin men won the event.

Tin: ('(>\ci;rt

The granel national concert in the evening was from every point of view an immense micco*. The G.nrison ll, ill was filled to overflow mg and from first to l.i^t the audience was enthusiastically appreciative. The lion s share of the work was allotted to the Mis-es BLmey and 31 r. James .Jago. and their several items were received with t\ery mamkst.itum tit delight. Two instrumental selections, >• (It/in-, oi lu'l.md and " Erin s wreath.' were capitally rendered by an illicieiit orchestra, under Mr. F Robirtshaw. St. ,!us]i]i> Clio.r. under the eonductorslnp of Mr A. Yallis, contnliuted three of Mooie's melodies, •• J lie last ro-e of summer. -The minstrel boy." and "Oft m the stilly night.' They were given in each ease with greit taste and expression and evoked hearty rounds of applause. Miss Rose Bl.mey sang '• The Irish emigrant" in a way that appealed to every heart and in response to an imperative encore she sang " Kate O'Shane "' with great feeling. In the second part of the programme her beautifully sweet voice was heard to advantage 1 in " Asthore," her rendering of which evoked hearty applause Miss Kitty Blaney sang the beautiful " Meeting of the waters'' vcy effectively and her rendering of ''Paddy" 1 was full of life and animation. She had to submit to an encore in both cases and gave as repeat numbers "Going to Kildare" and "Barney 0 Hea."' Both or these songs are full of characteristic Irish humour and Miss Kitty sang them in a way that greatly delighted the audience. Mr. J. Jago gave a capital rendering of "Cruiskeen lawn" and in response to an encore rendered " The tar's farewell '" w ith great spirit. -Terence's farewell" was Mr. Jago's second number and to the surprise ot most people it was rendered as a comic song The innovation is decidedly open to criticism but it found favour with the audience and Mr. Jago contributed •■ Kate Kearney 'in l espouse to the encore. "O Erin my country, by Mr. (J Fottrell. was- a -Nory pleasing item and was heartily encored. Mr. Fotm-11 responding with "The carnival." Mr. P. Carolin sang " Eily Mu\oui necu. Mr. J. 'Wools '• Believe me if all." and Mr. E. Eagt r " Ka hleen "\lavourneen." all three being receive, el with veiy hearty applause. Mr. 11. M'Cormack recited " On Fontenoy " with such effect that even before its conclusion he was interrupted with voiiierou- applause. In response to an enthu. iastic recall he gave a lew pleasing and appropriate orginal verses on '• A happy and united Ireland. ' Two other enjoyable items — a trio. " Queen of night. ' by Misses R. and K. Blaney and Mr. Jago. and a quartette. "' Gooel night." by Misses K. and K. Blaney and Messrs. Eager and WooeK completed the programme. The accompaniments were played in faultless style by Miss K. Moloney and .Mr. Yallis. At the close of the concert Bishop Verdon, in a few well-chosen words, thanked those who had taken part in the concert, ami the audience for their generous patronage.

The committee had arranged a good programme, and he thought his hearers would agree with him that the performers had done their part particularly well (applause). Indeed from the procession of the children in the morning to the last item that night everything 1 connected with their celebration had gone off most successfully. A great deal of labour had fallen upon the secretaries, and he thought they should receive special thanks for the way in which they had worked to make the demonstration a success (hear, hear). The committee for the sports had promised them lots of fun and they had amply fulfilled their promise. A committee of ladies had generously undertaken to attend to the material wants of the children., and they deserved hearty thanks for the way in which they had carried out their task. He thought they had every reason to be proud of their Catholic children and of the well-behaved and orderly waj m which they had conducted themselves, lie wished also to thank his Worship the Mayor for his kindly patronage and generous assistance throughout the day (applause). He concluded by moving a hearty vote ot thanks to all who had helped in carrying out the celebrations, and expressed his warm gratification that from first to last the demonstration had been such a complete success (loud applause).