Timaru

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 12, 23 March 1905, Page 5

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.) March 18. The festival of our national Apostle "was this year celebrated by a sports meeting and picnic in the Caledonian Grounds on Thursday, and a conceit on Friday evening. The outing on Thursday was most enjoyable, and the 100 children and almost the same number of adults, who took part, spent a very pleasant day Numerous races for substantial pri/es were pro\ ided for young and old, and light refreshments were dispensed to all. The Garrison Hand plajed some nice selections during the afternoon, -which wore much appreciated. Rev. Fathers Tubman, Kerley (Temnika), Lc Floch, and Finnerty were present during the day. The members of the general commit ice did splendid work in the way they earned out all arrangements, and doubtless arc pleased at knowing that the gathering was the most successful held here for some years. The net result, after disbursing some £20 in pri/es, etc., is £15, and this amount, along with the proceeds of the concert, something o\er £20, will be devoted to reducing the deibt on the tnewly acquired sections next to the boys' school. The Theatie Royal was crowded to the doors for the annual St. Patiick's night contort. The programme provided was a vaiied one, and was well up to the standard of former years. Its leading feature was the fme display given by the school children. A very pratty dumb-bell drill by sixteen lads, suitably dressed, was the best exhibition of its laind ever seen here. ' Erin, my country ' was sweellv rendered by TO girls, who, dressed in white with green rosettes and placed in three semicircles with a woodland scene in the background, formed a pretty 'pittuie A tableau, ' Ireland,' with recitation, was presented by a do/en girls, and got a good reception. The boys ga\ c a couple of choruses wiih much spirit, their singing of ' Let Eiin remember ' being re demanded. The Operatic Society went through their popular march of the vivandieres, the many pretty evolutions being further enhanced by the limelight,, which made the most of the brilliant costumes worn. The vocalists were Mrs. Coombes, Miss McGuinness, Messrs. S. Gilfchrist, Evans, ITealey, and Chapman ; they wene all encorod, and graciously responded. Misises E. McGuinness and N. Egan played a duet of Irish airs on two pianos, and later on, assisted by the Missies Dcnliehy anld Sicwafd, played a march Rev. Father Tubman took advantage of a short interval to thank the audience for their presence and the performers for tlic excellent programme provided. He particularly mentioned the Garrison Band, for their playing outside the theatre. Miss E. McGuinness acted as accompanist, and deserves recognition also for the arrangement of the programme. Mr. N. Mangos, the capable secretary

both of the picnic ana concert, with his enthusiastic assistants Messrs. Wilson and O'Leary, arc to be congratulated on the success that attended their efforts.