ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS AT LAWRENCE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 46, 18 March 1898, Page 19

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS AT LAWRENCE.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR PRESENT,

(From our Special Reporter.)

The St. Patrick's Day Sports Society at Lawrence had the full benefit of all the added eclat that glorious weather and the presence of the Governor could give to the day's proceedings. On account of the visit of his Excellency to Lawrence the celebrations proper to the '"17th of Ould Ireland "took place on Tuesday, the 15th. On his arrival in the town in the morning his Excellency wa« met by the Mayor and councillors. An address of welcome was read to him by the Mayor, Mr. J. .J. Browne. After the reply, various leadingcitizens were presented to Lord Ranfurly. A copy of Mr. J. J. Woods's "New Zealand National Anthem " was personally presented to him by the composer. His Excellency stayed at Johnson's Hotel. At 1 o'clock he was entertained at luncheon at Montgomery's Hotel by the Mayor and councillors, several ot the leading citizens, including the Very Rev. Father O'Leary, being present by special invitation. The sports programme was varied and interesting, and, considering the state of the harvest, was very well attended. At 2 o'clock Lord Ranfurly, accompanied by Captain Alexander, his Worship the Mayor, and several councillors, visited the grounds, and was received with cheers by the crowd of onlookers. The sports programme was in thoroughly capable hands, the secretary being Mr. J. Kelleher ; judges, Messrs J. T. Nichols, E. Hart, J. Donlan, J. Roughan, T. Devine, J. Tyson ; handicappers, Messrs H. Hart and J. McKinley ; starter, Mr. A M. Eyes. The programme was kept going with a good swing, and most of the events were marked by that sharp competition which keeps the public wide awake and on the gui vice. Appended are the results :—: —

Maiden Rrace : F. Harley, 1 ; C. Humphreys, 2. One Mile Bicycle : George Cox, 1 ; E. Tamblyn, 2. Boys' Race : S. Robertson, 1 ; C. Moyle, 2 ; G. Fair, 3. Putting Stone : S. Thornley, 1 ; E. Curtin, 2. 120 yds. Foot-race Handicap : J. Davis, 1 ; A. McKay, 2, Cumberland Wrestling (lOst.) : J. Bryant, 1 ; W. McKay. Boys' Race (12 years and under) : G. Williams, 1 ; S. Robinson, 2 ; A. Ryan, 3, Two Mile Bicycle : George Cox, 1 ; J. T. McDonald, 2. High Jump :A. C. Buckland, 1; S. Thornley, 2. 220 yds. Handicap : C. Humphreys, 1 : J. C. Gordon, 2. Cumberland Wrestling (all comers) : S. Thornley, 1 ; T. Ryan. 2. Half -Mile Handicap : J. Hop, Step, and Jump : J. Davis, 1 ; H. Sullivan, 2. Boot Race : T. Sing Lee. 1 ; A. McKay. 2. Boys' Race (l."> years) : W. Blackwood. 1 ; E. Thomason, 2. :300yds. Foot-race : W. Clarke, 1 ; J. Davis, 2. Three Mile Bicycle : J. McDonald, 1 ; E. Tamblyn. 2. Farewell Race (100 yds ) : A. McKay. 1 ; T. Sing Lee, 2. Five Mile Trot : C. Mullin's Erin, 1 ; R. Brown's llosella, 2. THE CONCERT. There was a bumper house at the concert — the biggest, it is said, that was ever got together at Lawrence. Lord Ranfurly attended, accompanied Ijy the Mayor and Mayoress. His Excellency watched the entire programme with evident interest, and at its close gave expression to the pleasure which the concert had afforded hur. The bill of fare was lengthy, varied, and excellent, but, thanks to the exce'lent stage management of the übiquitous and muchtalented Mr. J. J. Woods, everything went through without hitch or delay. Of the twelve talented arti-ts who held the boards, eight belonged to Lawrence and two to Waipori — everyone ot them deservedly welcome favourites with the people of Lawrence. They were aided by the delight! ul singing ot Miss Morrison, and the highly cultivated voice of Mi*. W. Manson, both of Dunedin. A detailed cntiqui of the various items would bring us farbejond the limits ot our furthest a\ailable space, but the following will give an idea of the high clas* of entertainment provided by the energetic St. Patrick's Day Committee ot Lawrence : —

The overtures were " Song-, ot Ireland lancer* ' (Mrs. and Mr. J. J. Woods), and '• II Folletto ' (Misses W. v oods ai.d M. King) The vocal selections were opened by Mr. A. Campbell with - Let me like a soldier fall.'' Miss Morrison sang- '• The Kerry Dance.' and Gounod's "'Serenade" (with violin oldigato by Mr. J. J. Woods), and in response to encores, "An Irish girl's opinion" and '"Ben Bolt." Mis. Manson's songs were •• Asthore" and "The last rose ot summer ' ; for encores she sang- "' The gap in the hedge at Kilmare " and " Love WuS once a little boy." The vocal solos contributed by Mr. J. J. Woods were " I trust you still," "■ Many happy returns of the day," and a bit of drollery entitled '• The baby on the shore." For encore he rendered Duval's great song, '• That's just where you make the mistake."' Miss Leech (Lawrence) sang " The dear little shamrock " ; Mrs. King '• Dublin Bay " ; and Mr. G. Neill (Law rence) " The yeoman's wedding." and for encore, '" Major O Flaherty." •'Father O'Flynn " and '"Good-bye, Mavourneen "' were rendeted respectively by Mr. Bray and Mr. J. M'Dowall. both from Waipori. In response to an encore, Mr. Bray sang " Simon the cellarer."' Four duets g-reatly enhanced the attractiveness of the programme. They were "The two cousins" (Miss Morrison and Mr-.. King); "The happy policeman" (Mrs. King and Air. J. J. Woods — encored) ; ' Friendship" (Miss and Mr. Woods); "Love and War (Mr. M'Dowall and Mr. Bray — encored). A violin solo, " Oft in the still night," was finely rendered by Miss Mary Woods. The onerous duties of accompanist were undertaken by Mrs Woods, with the occasional aid of Miss Morrison and Misa C. Woods.

Towards the close of the programme the A r eiy Rev. Father O'Leary moved a vote of thanks to his Excellency the Governor lor his attendance at the sports and concert. In doing so Father O'Leary paid a delicate compliment to Lord Raut'urly s nationality and popularity which elicited a storm of applause. lie likewise paid a well-deserved tribute to all the artistes who had assisted in the programme, and referred m terms ot high and minted compliment to the splendid talent lrom the district winch had appeand on the stage that evening. A short and pit? y reply irom Mr.

Woods was followed by the singing of the National Anthem as a solo (Mr Woods) and chorus (the whole company). And thus an exceedingly pleasant and varied entertainment was brought to a close.