ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 47, 25 March 1898, Page 18

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH. (From our own correspondent.) THE CONCERT. The Opera House was crowded on Wednesday evening 1 last, when, an Irish National concert was held to celebrate the eve of St. Patrick's Day. Mr. H. Ro^iter, the musical director, had arranged an excellent programme, and almost without exception the different items were of such a nature as to appeal to the patriotism of the audience. The overtures we.ie played by Mr. Hooter's string band and the banjo and guitar band, and the latter also played a selection .n the second part m place ot a son.- by Mi. P. Ilockley, who was pievented by indisposition from taking part. Signora Venosta had also to be apologised for, but a very satisfactory substitute was found in Miss Lilian Smith, who sang " Terence's farewell to Kathleen " and '• Come back to Erin," and was encored for her second number. Mrs. E. T. Robinson's songs were " Killarney " and 'Kathleen Mavout neon," and her encore number for the lir&t was " Barney G'llea." Miss Lucy Ryan, a pupil of Mr. Rossiter's scored a distinct success with her singing- of '-The dear little shamrock." She was recalled and gave " Believe me if all those endearing charms." The instrumental selections were played by the Misses C. and M. O'Brien (pupils at St. Mary's Convent) and Misses Burke, Polf, O'Connell, and Fowler (pupils af Barbadoes street Convent). Mr. Charles Read and Mr. Russell Halley were recalled for each of their songs, and Messrs. J. and R. Petersen's duet had to be repeated. Mr. A. b\ Young-, too, hit the popular taste with his song, -'The wearin' of the green," and Mr. W. A. Hill recited '-Shamus O'Brien" with excellent expression. Mr. F. Peat gave an Irish step dance, and the pupils of the Marist Brothers' School, under the conductorship of Brother Arthur, sang two choruses. The pot-plants for the decoration of the stage were bupplied by Mr. W. Jones, and the stage, with these and a number of flags, was very artistically arrayed by Mrs. Stratz, Mr. J. C. Cusack and others. The stage furnishing was kindly supplied free by Mr. 11. Fuhman. The accompanists were Mrs. W. Cronin and Mrs. E. T. Robinson and the stage manager was Mr. R. Beveridge. The hon. sec. was Mr. E. O'Connor. The concert was in every way a great success. EXCURSION ATS'D SrORTS. On St. Patrick's Day High Mass was celebrated in the ProCathedra], About i). 30 a.m. the children in the parish and the children of St. Mary's parish met in Barbadoes street, and headed by the Stanrnore Band and duly marshalled, marched to the railway station, whence they were taken by the train to the Riccarton Racecourse. Another train proceeded to the course at 2.30 p m., and then considerably over two thousand people were assembled on the grounds. The course, which is well sheltered with trees and kept in excellent order, i.s a large and beautiful place, admirably suited in many ways for picnics that are attended by a great number of children. Not only the saddling yards and other parts were kindly placed at the disposition of the committee, but also the grandstand, and it was well patronised during the day. Amongst those present were the Vicar-General, the Rev. Fathers O'Reilly, Marnane, (Joggan, Rafferty. G-allais, Salvador, and Dr. Boolger. The clergy were entertained by Mrs. Stratz, Mrs. Fox, Miss O'Rorke, Miss L. M' Adams and other members ot the ladies' committee, in the Jockey Club b dining-room, a handsome little building near to the grandstuid. At thj rep ist the Vicar-General spoke, among other thing?, m praise of the band, who during the day rendered some agreeable music. The wants of the children were attended to by the committees ; and to adults, a number of joung ladies in a large and convenient building dispensed at a moderate figure light refreshments. Thanks to the originators of the excursion there were plenty of eatables on the ground. Thanks also to Mr. F. Harvey, who \ery ably and o.uvfully superintended the boiling of the" billy '' — anyone could net a good supply of the bj\er«ige that cheers but not inebriates. On arriving at the grounds \arious amusements were indulged in. and in tnc afternoon a programme of sports was gone through. . The list item, which wa. a tug-of-war between Sb. Mary's parish and the Pro-Cat hodr.d caused a deal of excitement. The first pull between the two teams was rendered futile by the fact that spectators joined in the contest. At the second pull after a hard struggle, the St. Mary's team dragged their opponents over, and well deserved the medals that were awarded to them. Mr. F. Cooper, who brought an excellent camera with him to the course, took a'• snapshot "of the teams during the content. Owing to a slight rain coming on several events were omitted. The rain, however did not continue long, and the weather throughout the day was splendid. No mishap marred the day's enjoyment, and the whole party, who were well satisfied with the outing, returned in the evening to the city by the train, which was a phenominally long one. ir.A c.iis. social.

On the evening of St. Patrick's Day the members of the 11.A.C.8.tt. commemorated the festival of the great patron saint of Ireland by a very enjoyable social in the Hibernian Hall. During the afternoon of that day Mrs. Courtney, sen., and Miss M. Courtney had kindly prepared in the hall a very sumptuous repast, and the president, Mr. Grebham, who was supported on bib right by the Rev. Father O'Reilly of Auckland, and on his leit by the Rev. Father Gallais, occupied the chair. There was a good attendance of members and their friends, and among the latter was Mr. O'Brien of Ashburton. A piano had been provided, and during the evening many appropriate vocal selections and recitations were well rendered. Mr. F. Peat, in addition to reciting several comic sketches danced an lush step dance. A number of toasts, such as the 'Clergy," " In&hmen at Home and abroad," v The Day we Celebrate," " The President, ' ''The I'rues," and "The Ladies," were prop:>^ed ; duly honoured and replied to. Some of the tpecchess were

excellent, and the principal speakers were the Rev. Father O'Reilly, the Rev. Father Gallais, Brothers J. Gresham, G. J. Sellars. J. Nelson, Mr. M. Smith, and Mr. F. Milner. After singing " Auld Lang Syne " in chorus the gathering broke up at a late hour.