AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 13, 26 March 1903, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

(From oun own correspondent.) St. Patrick's Day was ushered in with delightful weather, glorious sunshine and summer breezes. It was an ideal day, and the city on the Waitemata looked its very best. At an early hour wending their way to Masa could bo seen crowds of men, women, and children wearing shamrocks and tho immortal green. At St. Patrick s the Hibernians attended 9 o'clock Mass in their regalia, so also tho boys and girls of the parish. Rev Father O'Connor, of Opitiki, celebrated Mass. The children's choir sang 'Faith of our Fathers' and ' All praise to St. Patrick.' After Mass the procession was arranged, and very soon tho 900 children of the cathedral parish were in readiness under the charge of the Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., and Rev. Fathers Buckley and Holbrook. Tho boys from Takivpuna Orphanage, to the number of 60, all wearing green hats, now joined in, quickly followed by the children from Parnell and Newmarket parish, 400 strong, in charge of the Rev. Father Kchoe. The strains of the 'Harp that once ' heralded the arrival of the Sacred Heart parish children, with whom were the pupils of St. Mary's Con%ent and the orphans from the Star of the Sea,' the whole under the Very Rev. Dr. T4gan, O S.B. This body totalled 600. The procession, which was marshalled by Bro. John Patterson, J.P., headed by the Garrison Band, immediately moved up Hobson street, Cook street, and at the head of Queen street the children of St. Benedict's and Surry Hills, under Father Furlong, with tho Battalion Band, mustering 700, joined the procession, which presented a m<sst imposing and inspiring spectacle. The sido walks were thronged with interested onlookers, and beside the processionists walked crowds of sympathisers wearing national emblems. Tho immense body continued its way through, Rutland,

Wellesley, Symond streets and Graf ton road to the Domain Cricket Ground, which was reached about 11.30. The 'children from Otahuhu and Panmure, under Rev. Father O'Hara, were already there. In admirable order the children of each parish marched to their respective quarters, where kind and willing hands had prepared welcome refreshments. After this each parish carried on a series of sports into which the children entered with zest. At 1.30 p.m. the sports for the adults commenced. The following were the officials : — Chairman, Mr. P. J. Nerheny ; judges, Messrs. W. J. Ralph, Wm. Bcehan, James Gleeson, and M. Foley : timeKeepers, Messrs. A. Kohn and T. Jones ; referee, Mr. M. Treston ; starter, Mr. A. White ; track stewards, Messrs. H. 11 . Brooke and H. Trendall ; lap-taker, Mr. J. A. Cooper; handicapper, Mr. J. H. Fielder ; result board, Messrs. JMonnock, Y. Williams, and M. O'Brien ; press steward, Mr. S. Gleeson ; call steward, Mr. E. Noonan ; treasurer, Mr. M. J. Sheahan ; secretary, Mr. Jas. B. li. Stead..

The national entertainment took place in the evening at St. Benedict's Hall, which holds 900 people, and as many more made ineffectual efforts to gam admission. Never was such a throng seen there. All the avenues in the hall were filled by people who stood tho whole time. There were present Rev. Fathers Patterson, Adm., Croko, Holbrook, and Furlong, Sir G. Maurice O'Rourke, ex-Speaker, Hon. T. Thompson, M.L.C . exMinister of Justice. The following excellent programme was presented and received general and hearty appreciation : — Overture, 'Gems of Ireland,' orchestra ; song, 'Biddy Aroo.' Mr. Rupert Mantell ; song, 'Kathleen Mavoumeen,' Miss Ivy Ansley ; duet, The moon has raised,' Messrs Fi.uik Graham and Rupert Mantell ; selection, "Irish airs.' Messrs. E. and G. Brockett, H. Dennes. W. McGill. and T. Doree (mandolins), Alessrs. A. J Fernandez (banjo), and A. Gracie (pianist) ; song, 'Killarney.' Mrs Furlong ; song, 'Ellen Bawn,' Mr. J. P. Whelan , song, 'The dear little shamrock,' Miss Lily Thomson , song, 'Father O'Flynn,' Very Rev. Dr. Egan. O,S B ; song. 'Irish Emigrant,' Mr. Arthrur Ford ; Irish jig, Misses Carter Hunter, Barry, and Bruce The entertainment concluded with the comedy ' O'Callaghan on His Last Legs ' in which the characters were taken by Messrs R A Keenan, H. Baker, J. Donovan, T Gre&ham, G. Arnold, IT Williamson, and Alisses Pauline Dempsoy, Cusach, Ivy Manning, and C. Campbell Miss Nellie F. Ormond played most efficiently the accompaniments throughout the evening The programme of the concert was arranged by Mr. M. J. Sheahan. This concluded the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and upon all sides it was -voted amongst the most successful of its kind, and to the committee all praise is clue.