ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 12, 22 March 1900, Page 5

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

Nbveb in the memory of that venerable and generally reliable personage, the oldest inhabitant, has the great Irish national festival been celebrated with such enthusiasm, nor has there been Buoh a display of colour in New Zealand as on the last of the century. In Dunedin green was seen everywhere. From the topmost portion of the Town Hall floated thp greenest of flags with its golden harp, waving in the breeze by the order of the Mayor, in deference to the wish of her Majepty, and in recognition of the valour of the Irish troops in South Africa. Flags similar in hue floated from St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Tablet Office, many business places and private residences, whilst the Union Jack and other English and Scottish flags kissed the breeze from the flagstaff s of every prominent business place in tbe city. Bannerettes of green and other colours graced the verandah posts and shop windows of meet of the retail establishments, many of which did a good business in the sale of Irish national emblems bearing appropriate mottoes. Nearly every other person that one met in the streets wore a green favour of one kind or another, a worthy example having been set by his Worship the Mayor. Some wore shamrocks that had been grown in Ireland, and had been sent out by loving friends, others sported various kinds of trefoil raised in oar own green isles of the Antipodes, whilst a few had to content themselves with artificial imitations which looked as if they had been ' made in Germany.' Still the spirit which actuated all was practically the same. In all parts of the Colony the festival was celebrated with more than usual fervour, and in many places concerts and sports were held. Had it fallen on any other day of the week except Saturday there is no doubt but that the suggestion of the Government that .it should be observed as a general holiday would have been acted upon.