AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 12, 23 March 1899, Page 28

AUCKLAND.

(By telegraph from our own correspondent.)

The festivities in connection with the St. Patrick's Day celebration were eminently successful in Auckland, and worthy of Ireland's great Patron. They were commenced several days prior to the 1 7th. A novena was successfully commenced at the Cathedal by the Rev. Father Croke, large numbers attending nightly, listening to the instruction on the life and devotion of St. Patrick. On the Sunday night precpeding the festival Father Croke preached a panegyric on the Saint, and on the morning of the festival crowds approached the altar rails to receive Holy Communion. THE CONCERT. In the city the festivities were postponed until the 18th, except that an entertainment was held in St. Benedict's Hall on the night proper. The hall, which is capable of holding one thousand people, was taxed to its utmost limit, and the doors had to be closed at S o'clock, when numbers had to be turned away. The proceedings were opened, in the presence of the Bishop and clergy, by the children from the Sisters' schools, robed in white with green sashes, in the midst of whom was a tableau representing Erin weeping over her harp, who sang ' Let Erin Remember.' Then followed a choice selection of Irish national music, vocal and instrumental, the first part concluding with a chorus, ' The Minstrel Boy,' by the pupils of the Marist Brothers. The second part was devoted to a ccmedy in two acts, entitled ' The Irish Post,' containing eleven characters, which were admirably sustained. All agreed that it was the most succelfef ul concert yet held. THE SPOBTS. 1 On Saturday morning the children from Newton, Ponscnby Parnell, Newmarket, the orphanages of St. Mary's and Takapuna, gathered at the Cathedral. The boys from Takapuna all wore round green hats, which, together with their neat attire and ap- | pearance, won general admiration. At 10 o'clock a procession, pre-

ceded by Monsienor McDonald on horseback, after him the band, behind which followed the Hibernian Society and the juvenile contingent, and children of the four parishes, moved off for the Domain, marching through the principal streets. Along the line of march the footpaths were crowded with onlookers. The wearing of the green was a prominent feature not only with the processaionists, but by a large number of ■flT^uens. It was estimated that there was in the procession fufiy four thousand children. On arriving at the Domain each parish wended its way to different portions of the ground, where tFeir respective priests and committee 5'5 ' of ladies and gentlemen catered liberally for their wants. The first sports to come off were those of the Marist Brothers' pupils, under the supervision of the Brothers ; then followed the Hibernian sports, simultaneously with which the parishes' sports were brought off. Everything passed off without a hitch. The various committees deserve all praise for their untiring work of months. It is estimated that the gross takings, exclusive of concert, reached £200. There were present on the grounds Bishop Lenihan, Monsignore McDonald, Dean O'Reilly, Dr. Egan ; Fathers Croke, Gillan, Buckley, O'Gallagher, and Darby; Brothers Basil, Leo, Bogie, Edward, Jerome; His Worship the Mayor ; Messrs. Holland, Crowther, Lawry, M.H.R.'s ; Hons. Jennings and McCullough, M.L.C.'s ; Hon. Tole, and * large number of prominent citizens. The Right Hon. Mr. Seddon came on the ground as the procession was departing homewards, he being engaged officially with the Governor until that hour. All arrived safely home after spending and commemorating so well and befittingly the festival of Ireland's national patron and saint.