Thames

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1911, Page 563

Thames

March 20. The following are the results of the St. Patrick's Day sports, which were held at Mitchell's paddock, Puru: Three-legged race, L. Coakley and M. Smith 1, A. Rochfort and V. Rolton 2; 100 yds boys, R. Connolly 1, R. Doherty 2; 75yds girls, M. Boyle 1, B. Giiliard 2; 50yds backwards race, M. Boyle 1, V. Rolton 2; 50yds wheelbarrow race, R. Ganley and E. Stewart 1; 100yds boys, P. O'Shea 1, W. Lanigan 2; 50yds girls, P. Ganley 1, I. Coakley 2; 440yds St. Patrick's Day handicap, E. Bradley 1, W. Connolly 2; hop, step, and jump, W. Quin 1, R. Doherty 2; young ladies race, Miss M. Rist 1, Miss E. Foy 2; committee ladies' race, Miss N. Coakley 1, Miss Skelton 2; committeemen's race, E. Kenny 1; married ladies' race, Mrs. Douglas 1, Mrs. Nightingale 2; drivers' race, C. Hawkes 1, Phillips 2. Paeroa The combined Catholic schools held their annual celebration on St. Patrick's Day (says the Ohinemuri Gazette). Special carriages reserved for children were attached to the early excursion train leaving Waikino, Karangahake, and Mackaytowu for Paeroa that morning. Arrived at the station, the visiting children were marched in procession to St. Mary's Church, where they were joined by the pupils attending St. Joseph's School. Mass was celebrated at 8 o'clock by Dean Hackett, who expressed his delight at seeing before him such a crowded assembly of children from all parts of his scattered district. He thanked the railway officials for having made provision for transit of children to and from Paeroa on such a busy day when hundreds of excursionists to Ngaruawahia Regatta and Paeroa Races had to be attended to. At the conclusion of the service the Very Rev. Dean addressed the children on the early life of St. Patrick in Ireland, making special reference to his captivity and six years of slavery on the hills of Antrim, during which the future Apostle learned to speak the Irish language, in which he

preached later on to the people and converted them to Christ. Immediately after the Mass the children were marshalled and, .headed by a beautiful green flag bearing a harp of gold, marched to the. picnic grounds, kindly placed at their disposal by Mr. Percy Vuglar, convenient to the Te Aroha - bridge. The services of the local band were not obtainable for the occasion, but the youngsters heartily supplied tho want by singing their favorite hymns, ' Hail! Glorious St. Patrick/ ' Faith of our Fathers,' etc., during the procession. It was a ; busy day on the picnic grounds, especially for the good Sisters of St. Joseph, who not only catered for young and old present, but also provided some 200 prizes for children's sports. Before leaving for home the children were assembled, and Dean Hackett again addressed them and called for cheers for the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mr. Percy Vuglar, the sports committee (Messrs. Regan, Harrold, Finch, and Wall), and all who subscribed and gave donations of fruit, etc., to the picnic. Stratford Our St. Patrick's Night social was again a great success, the large Town Hall being crowded. Mr. G. Bianchi supplied the music. Messrs. East, Ryan, and Bernard and Miss Tocker sang during the evening, and Mr. Bernard- also contributed a cornet solo.