WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 48, 26 March 1897, Page 29

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

According to their usual custom the Irishmen of Wellington celebrated, with all due honour, the festival of Ireland's patron saint. After Mass at St. Mary of the Angels', which was celebrated by the Rev. Father O'Shca. and at which several members of the Hibernian Society were present and also a lar^e number of school children, a procession was formed for the Te Aro Railway Station. About 900 children took part in the procession, besides a large number of adults, St. Mary's Brass Band being at the head. The very fine banner of the Hibernian Society floated in the breeze at the rear of the band and was borne along by members of the Order in regalia. The procession was the largest ever held here on any St. Patrick's Day, and showed that the love of Irishmen for the land of their birth is certainly not on the wane. At Te Aro Station train was taken for the Hutt, where sports were held. It was computed that upwards of 3000 persons were present at the sports, which were highly successful, and carried out to the entire satisfaction of those who took part in them, as well as the visitors. This I result, 'no doubt, is due to the work ot the Very Rev. Father Devoy and the energetic committee, who had the carrying out of the arrangements. Among the visitors during the day, besides the local clergy, were the Hon. the Premier. Mrs. Seddon and members of their family. The Premier received a very warm welcome and was cheered on Refreshments were provided on a generous scale and the inner wants of the committee were catered tor by Mr. and Mrs. Robinson. Besides the sports tor the adults there were games of various kinds got up for the delectation of the juveniles. who, like all youngsters under such circumstances, enjoyed themselves immensely. The following were the officials :—: —

Judges — Running, Bros. B. Doherty. T. Burke and Rev. J. P. M. Hickson ; wrestling and putting shot, Bros. Hickey and .1 McCarthy ; Irish jig. Bro. Scanlon ; starter, Bro. W. White ; handicapper, Mr. H. McCardell ; treasurer. Bro. M. Bohan ; secretary, Bro. W. White. The results are as under : — St. Patrick's Day Handicap (100 yds). — W. Hurcombe. ."yds. 1 R. A. Gilchrist, scr.. 2 . J. Emeny. 7yds.. ;s. St. Patrick's College Handicap (lUOyd-). — F. Campbi.ll. scr.. 1 R. Park. Byds, 2 . 11. Watson, :syds. 3. St. Patricks Day Handicap (220yd*.— R. A. Gilchrist, scr. 1 J. Emeny, l">yd->., 2 : W. Hurcombe. loyd-., .5.

St. Patrick's College Handicap (22(>yd»). — F. Campbell, -cr.. 1 H. Watson, (i yds.. 2 . P. Walsh, :syds.. 3. St. Patrick's Day Handicap (Udyd-).— lt. A. Gilchrist, scr.. 1 T. Carry. 2Syds. 2 ; P. Murphy, 2Syds.. 3.

St. Patrick's College Handicap (Ho).— P. WaKh, Byds., 1 : 11. Watson. 10yds.. 2. Bandmen'h Race (100 yds). —M. Waller. 1: M. Horn, 2. Wrestling (.Irish style).— W. Adams. 1:E. J. Itowe, 2. Hop, Step and Jump. — J. O'Sullhan, 121t. ."un., 1 ; D. O'Sullivan, 4 lit., 2. Putting the 221 b Shot.— D. Hickey. 2,) ft .1:1). O'Sullivan. 27ft. (iin., 2. The Irish jig was won by Rilcy, with Monnock second. ■ihi; concert.

A concert of a truly national character was held in Llu> evening in the Theatre Royal, which was packed with an appreciative audience. Madame Caiiton gave an artistic rendering ot " Kathleen Mavoumeen" with an exquisitely played harp obligato by Mrs. W. Murdoch. The inevitable encore followed, to which the vocalist responded with " The last rose of summer," Madame Carlton also contributed "Barney O'lloa,' which was given with a due appreciation of its humour. MissPender\ sweet, well-cultivated contralto was heard to much advantage in ■' The meeting of the waters," and this item was enthusiastically redemanded. Miss N. Gallagher sang sweetly ''Silent, 0 Moyle."' Mr. E, J. Hill was enthusiastically encored for his interpretation of '-There is a charming girl,"' and in compliance therewith repeated a portion of this taking item. That fine old rollicking song, •'Cruiskeen lawn." was done justice to in vigorous style by Mr. Fred Pope, who also took part with Mr. M. C. Itowe in the duet. " The moon hath raised her lamp." Mr. F. Holly is to be congratulated on his very fine rendering ot '• The dear little shamrock." for which he received a well-deserved encore. A similar compliment was paid Mr. Toner for his rendering of " Come back to Erin." A quartette, '' The minstrel boy." arranged by Mr. Alt'. Hill, was another very fine item. One ot the finest items of the concert was a violin solo, '• The last ro^e of summer," by Mi-s Julia Moran. this number being played with remarkable taste and fine execution. Mrs. Murdoch gave a very fine harp solo, "The v. earing ot the green," which was much appreciated. Concerted items wire rendered during the evening by St. Patrick's I'.rtiss Band and the College Orchestra, under the direction ot Mr. Trowell, the playing

reflecting much credit on the performers. Taken as a whole, the concert was a very fine one, and much credit is due to the committee of management in having succeeded in getting together so many of the leading vocalists and ins turner talists of the Empire City to interpret the sweetest and most pathetic of all music, the old melodies of Ireland.