St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

New Zealand Tablet, 21 March 1912, Page 25

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

DUNEDIN On Sunday, the Feast of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, there was Solemn High Mass at 11 o'clock in St. Patrick's Basilica,■',. South Dunedin. r / His Lordship Bishop Verdon presided. Rev. Father Liston (Rector of Holy; Cross College, Mosgiel) was. celebrant, Rev. Father Collins (Holy Cross College) deacon, Rev. Father D. O'Neill subdeacon, and Rev. Father Delany master of ceremonies. Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., was present in the sanctuary. The occasional sermon-was preached by • his Lordship the Bishop, who took for his text the words: 'I have chosen you, and have appointed you that you should go, and should bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain ' (John xv., 16). His Lordship said that they were assembled there to celebrate a festival which brings joy and gladness to millions of the Irish race scattered over the globe. It was St. Patrick's Day, and in the midst of their festive rejoicings it is a duty and a privilege to speak the praises of our glorious Apostle, We are all accustomed to speak of St. Patrick as the glorious Apostle of Ireland, and in pronouncing these words we pronounce his highest eulogy. For that one word, Apostle tells of sublime sanctity, of burning zeal, of unceasing labors, of nations converted, and proud men brought under the sweet yoke of Christ. An Apostle is one who is sent; chosen by God, he is sent by. divinely constituted authority to bear the torch of faith to nations walking in the darkness of error. He is God's ambassador sent to bear the glad tidings of redemption. He is chosen to go 'out of his country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house —to go and labor and gather abundantly of the fruits of his toil. ! You have not chosen me,' said our Divine Lord to. His Apostles, . ' but I have chosen you and have appointed you that you should go and should bring forth fruit and your fruit should remain.' Now, if we glance, even briefly, at the life of St. Patrick, we shall not fail to recognise his claim to this glorious title of Apostle, for his indeed was a divine vocation. He was sent to.preach the Gospel by Christ's vicegerent on earth. His life was resplendent with virtue; his labors were blessed with such success that before his death the whole Irish nation was converted to the faith. And the fruit of his labor remains. For he planted the faith so firmly among the Irish race that not all the storms of 1500 years have been able to uproot it. And at home and abroad—in Ireland and in England, in Australia and New Zealand, and wherever there is an Irish Catholic congregation to-day, their faith is as fresh and vigorous/as pure and untainted as was the faith of our forefathers which they received from St. Patrick so many hundreds of years ago. . St Patrick was born about the year of our Lord 388. His parents were Christians, and he himself tells us that they were noble and wealthy. And, no doubt, the early years of his life gave promise of a bright and happy future, but soon the clouds of adversity gathered around him and darkened his path. When he was only 16 years of age he fell into the hands of a band of pirates who dragged him from his native land, and sold him as a slave to a petty prince in the north of Ireland. What a sad fate ! To be torn from home and friends, and to be doomed to a dismal slavery in a foreign land ! And yet, the very extreme of misery to which Patrick was then reduced was the source of innumerable blessings. In the happy home of his fathers Patrick was led away by worldly attractions. As he himself says, 'I was.dragged into slavery with many others as we deserved, because we had. forgotten God, and had despised His precepts and disobeyed our priests.' But, now, his misfortunes opened his mind to the light of faith. Deprived of human'comfort he sought for heavenly consolation, and he' found it in prayer. In the fervour of his: conversion the hours „of the day were not long enough for prayer.;.;-. he prolonged his watchings far, into the nighty and often he anticipated the rising of the sun to offer his homage to his Maker.

A hundred times ; a day he was wont to pray, and almost as often in the night, and he cared little whether the sun shone upon him or the rain and hail fell upon him, or the sharp frost numbed his limbs, for ; he was sus- -, tained by the fire of Divine love, which burned within^ : his breast. Before the dawn, I was roused to prayer,' he says,..'in snow and ice and rain, and I felt no jury from it; nor was there any' slothfulness in me for the spirit was strong within me.' Thus passed six : years of his ; years of hardship and apparent misery, but in reality years overflowing with heavenly joy and consolation, years during which the negligent youth was transformed into the fervent saint. At length" the hour of deliverance came. He escaped from his place of bondage, and after many wanderings and a three days' voyage, he stood once more in his father's home he saw himself surrounded by loving friends who, by their kind attention, endeavoured to console him for all the hardships which he had endured. Gladly would they have kept him with them. Temptingly, they reminded him of the happiness he might enjoy in the bosom of his family. But God called him to something higher; He called him to be an Apostle, and Patrick renouncing all the pleasures of the world, renouncing the riches and honors which, might be his, soon tore himself away from home and friends,, and went forth to follow Christ; During the years of his slavery in Ireland, St. Patrick had observed the many noble qualities of the Irish, and it grieved him to think that such, a people should be the slaves \ of Satan. Ireland had indeed been for '. him the land of bondage, and he had endured there all-the horrors of slavery under a harsh master. -) But, like a true follower of "Christ, he remembered injuries only .to forgive them or to return good for evil, so he now formed the generous resolution of devoting his life to the work of converting the Irish nation. And God in His own mysterious way encouraged his resolution. In the solemn hours of the night, St. Patrick seemed to hear the voices of the Irish which were borne across the voices of young and old calling for assistance. As /he slumbered little children seemed to -stretch forth their hands entreating him to come and save them. He tells us in his confessions that one night a man of venerable aspect appeared to him bearing large bundles of letters, one of which he gave him to read, ' And as I read aloud,' he says, 'I thought I heard the voices of those who were near the wood of Folclutlia, on the Western Sea, crying out " We entreat the holy youth to come and dwell among us," and my heart was greatly touched that I could not read any more.' His heart was touched! Yes, his generous heart was touched with -compassion when he thought of the noble race walking in the darkness of paganism.. He would rescue them from destruction. His resolution- was formed, /and nothing that this world could offer or interpose would prevent him from coming to their assistance. Accordingly, in order that he might prepare for his mission, he went to' Tours to seek advice from his venerable kinsman, St. # Martin. Then he visited the most celebrated monasteries of Gaul and the isles of the Mediterranean. Finally, he put himself under the direction of St/ Germanus, of Auxerres, and for some years We remained with that great and learned Bishop, drinking deep at the fountain of knowledge, and strengthening himself in the practice of every virtue. - , ; Being at length convinced that the moment fixed by God for the commencement of his mission had arrived, he repaired to Rome. He was commissioned ; to preach the Gospel by St. Celestine, the,successor of St. Peter, and having received episcopal consecration in the 44th year of his age, and in the year of our Lord ,432; he set out for Ireland. See now the wonderful manner; in which St. Patrick was prepared for his glorious mis!,!Ssfon. He was dragged as a slave into the land of our fathers, but he then learned the language and the ; character of the people amongst whom he afterwards labored with such success as an-Apostle/: By sufferings and sorrows his heart was purified from its attachment to earthly things And in all his sufferings God watched over him with tender loving care, and sustained him-in : all his trials. Then length God rescued 'him from slavery /inspired him with the holy desire of laboring for the conversion of the Irish race. He conducted him

to the schools of knowledge, and finally brought him to the feet of St. Peter's successor,, there to receive the stamp, of legitimate authorisation on his mission. St. Patrick began his mission in Iceland at a place in Co. Wicklow, where St. Palladius- the year before had vainly attempted to establish a Christian colony. However, he did not remain there long, but directing his course towards the north he visited Co. Down. Here his efforts were crowned with success, for having converted a native prince with all his family, a church was built, and a Christian congregation gathered together. St. Patrick spent a few months in the North of Ireland and then he resolved to attack paganism in its stronghold in Co. Meath, and to announce the word of God to a general assembly of the priests and nobles of the land. Kings and ;chieftains, and Druid bards and priests were assembled in Tara's Hall to celebrate a great national feast. According to the custom of the feast every fire in. the county had been extinguished, and no fire could be lawfully kindled again until the sacred flame lighted according to Druidical rites should have blazed on Tara's Hill. Great then must have been the indignation of princes and priests when they beheld as if in defiance of their law, a bright flame ascending from a neighboring hill. It was St. Patrick's Paschal fire, for it was Easter Eve, and St. Patrick and some of his companions, having reached' the hill of Slane, had kindled there the Paschal fire according to the rites of Holy Church. The bold offender was summoned into the royal presence. Patrick advanced with intrepid step and stood before the king. It was a solemn moment which was to decide the destiny of a nation. The Druid priests urged the monarch to take vengeance on the disturber of their rites. But there was something aweinspiring in the appearance of St. Patrick, something that spoke .of the protection of heaven. ■ No hand was raised against him. Not one in that throng dared to offer violence. He boldly upbraided the Druids as deceivers of the people, and he showed how vain and false were all their teachings. Then he spoke of the mystery of the Blegsed Trinity, and of the love of God for man. And as he unfolded the beautiful truths of our Holy Religion, the grace of God descended upon many in the throng, and proud warriors bowed down to receive the. sweet yoke of Christ. So great was the effect of St. Patrick's preaching on that occasion that the queen and many of the nobles received the Faith, and the king authorised St. Patrick to preach the Gospel in his realm. With amazing rapidity: the light of the Gospel now spread through the length and breadth of the land.. Wherever St. Patrick went he was received as the envoy of God. As he approached the towns the people flocked out in crowds to meet him when he entered the castles of the nobles parents offered their dearest children that he might consecrate them to the service of God. In vain the Druid priests did everything in their power to oppose his progress. Plots were laid against his life, but all in vain! God watched over his faithful servant, and preserved him in every danger. A few years passed away and St. Patrick appeared for the second time at an assembly of the nobles at Tara's Hall. But what a change a had been effected during those years Druidism had almost disappeared, and St. Patrick was now accompanied by many Bishops, who took their places amongst the noblest of the land. That assembly had been convened to reform the laws and customs of the country, and to remove every vestige of pagan superstition. For sixty years St*. Patrick labored in Ireland. Seven times he visited every province in the land, and six times his visitation was performed on foot. He founded numerous churches. Ancient biographers tell us' that he consecrated three hundred bishops, ordained three thousand priests, and established 700 monasteries , and convents for holy monks and nuns. And now you may ask what was the secret of St. Patrick's success? He drew down the blessing,of heaven on his labors by his extraordinary sanctity, by the fervor of his prayers, and by the activity of his zeal" which never allowed him to rest whilst any good remained to be done. We are told by St. Fiacre, a disciple :. of St. ; Patrick, that, each night he recited 100: psalms. His bed was the hard rock, a stone was his pillow and

rough sack cloth, was his covering. Often, , during the bitter cold of the winter. season, he plunged into the -frozen water, and remained there for long hours of the night, praying and praising God, sustained by the fire of Divine Love which burned within his breast. Add to all this his prodigious labors as he travelled on foot from place to place preaching, instructing, baptising and administering the other Sacraments, and withal long long lasts, and rigid abstinence from all kinds of flesh meat. Can we wonder that St. Patrick's words were efficacious, and that day after day he received additions- to the fold. At length the Lord called him to Himself. His angel admonished him to repair to the Monastery of Saul. It was there that lie had dedicated his first church, and it was there also that he was to finish his glorious mission. There, surrounded by his faithful children, comforted by the rites of Holy Church, he gave up his pure soul to God. His last blessing was for. the dear land he loved so well. His last fervent prayer to God was for that noble people amongst whom he had labored with "such zeal. He prayed that religion might ever flourish in the land, lie prayed that the Irish race would never, even to the last day, fall away from the faith which he had planted among them. Centuries have passed since then. Many fierce storms have swept over Ireland, but the faith that was planted by St. Patrick survives them all. Everything that human ingenuity could devise was tried against a faithful, noble people.' Still they have kept the faith,- and with God's help they will keep it to the end of time. Our poor noble people were persecuted, well nigh exterminated, but they have been sustained by the hand of God and they have risen up again with renewed vigor, strong in their faith, and strong in their hope. -They were driven from home, and scattered over the four quarters of the globe, but in the wonderful designs of Providence, they have been the instruments employed to spread the faith in many lands. The storm that bursts over us in autumn strips the tender plants of their foliage and scatters destruction among the beautiful flowers, but the flowers bloom again in spring, and the plants and shrubs grow stronger and more beautiful than before.' But the seeds scattered by the wind.fall in the valley or on the hillside, and there they germinate, and what was once a -desert waste is soon covered with plants and trees. And so it was with the Irish race. At home they were beaten down, crushed to the earth, but they have risen up with renewed growth and vigor. And if the storms which have swept over. Ireland have driven the young and the brave * from their homes, wherever they have gone they have carried their faith with them, they have established their Catholic congregations, and covered the land with their churches and schools. Yes, it has been the high destiny of the Irish race to spread the faith in many lands. His Lordship concluded his discourse by an earnest exhortation to the people to be true sons of St. Patrick.

Rev. Father Liston, Rector of Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, preached in St. Patrick's Basilica in the evening, on the life and missionary labors of St. Patrick, and on the faith of the Irish people. At the 9.o'clock Mass in St. Joseph's Cathedral on Sunday, the Feast of St. Patrick, Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., preached on the life and labors of the Apostle of Ireland. He treated of his life as a captive, his escape from bondage, his preparation on the Continent for his missionary labors, his commission by Tope Celestine, and his long and successful work in Ireland, where, before he died, he had the consolation of seeing the whole nationprinces and people—converted to Christianity. St. Patrick's missionary success was without a parallel in the history of the Church. During his apostolate not only did he bring the whole nation into the fold, but he also consecrated Bishops, and ordained priests, built churches, and erected monasteries, which became famous seats of learning and piety and nurseries of faith for other nations, " ' . ; ';.- : ' ::/ 'y-- ..." '.

.; _ HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. ;;,.,.: The annual general Communion of the members of St. Joseph's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society took place at the 9 o'clock Mass on Sunday, the Feast of St. Patrick, at St. Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin. The members in regalia, to the number of about 150, marched in procession from the schoolroom to the church, where they occupied the front seats, which were reserved for them. Rev. Father Delany, who -was celebrant of the Mass, congratulated the members on the manifestation of their faith that morning by attending in such, large numbers. He referred also to the good work which the society was doing, and strongly advised every young man in the parish to become a member. , After Mass- the members assembled in the schoolroom for breakfast. Bro. G. Purton presided, ' having on his right his Lordship Bishop Verdon, Rev. Father Coffey (chaplain of the branch), and Bro. J. J. Marlow (District Deputy). s " . The president, on behalf of the members, extended a hearty welcome to his Lordship, who had ever shown a warm interest in the welfare and progress of the society. The president, on behalf of the society, presented Bro. J. M. Casey with a gold cross, suitably inscribed, for introducing most new members during the past year, and Bro. Peter Casey with a jDOcket book for bringing the second largest number of new members. Bros. J. M. and P. Casey suitably acknowledged the presentations. His Lordship said it gave him' very great pleasure to be present, and he congratulated the members on celebrating the Feast of their glorious Apostle, St. Patrick, by approaching the altar rails in such numbers that morning, and receiving our Divine Lord in Holy Communion. He had always encouraged and advised the young men to join the Hibernian Society. It was an admirable society, and had done "and is doing very good work. The Bishop and priests of the Dominion take a very great interest in. the society, and do all in their power to assist it. It was now in a very flourishing condition, but he trusted that it would be still more prosperous. They had a glorious name, which reminded them of what their forefathers had done for the faith in the midst of trials and troubles. They should try to imitate their forefathers, and be true to their Church and to their country. Again his Lordship congratulated the members on the success of the society in Dunedin, trusted it would continue to flourish, and expressed the hope hat every young man in the parish would join it.. Rev. Father Coffey said that some of the members had been rather doubtful with regard to the success of the breakfast, but the numbers present showed that they had been mistaken. This was the first occasion in which the breakfast had been held in South Dunedin, and he desired to congratulate the member,s on its success. At present the membership of the branch was about 300, but there were sufficient young men in Dunedin to make it twice as large. If the young men were looked after and asked to join they would soon have a membership of 500 or 600. If everybody worked during the year like Brothers J. M. and P. Casey, the membership would not only be doubled but trebled. Last year the branch clistrituted in sick pay a sum of £327, and in funeral allowance £B7. They had every reason to congratulate the society on the good work it was doing. He expressed his delight at seeing such a large number present at the Communion, breakfast. He thanked the. members of the branch for the assistance t he had received since he took up the work of chaplain, and he assured them that the priests of Dunedin would always do their best to forward the interests of the society. .. .. (> At the conclusion of the breakfast the members returned to the church to assist at the Solemn High Mass. . ' - /.;;;;; ■ V \ ;.\ ".'.■'. '.;.'..':/,'./ :\ ■ b : * IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT. The Irish National concert in connection with St. Patrick's Day was held on Monday evening in the Gar- - rison Hall, In the early part of the day the weather

was very inclement, and fears were entertained that it there was not. an improvement towards evening it would militate against the attendance. Fortunately/ the rain ceased, and ..the weather was all that could be desired. 1 The attendance was excellent,- the hall being crowded in every part. A St. Patrick's Night concert always draws a large audience,.but apart from that the organising committee, of which Rev.' Father Coffey Adm., was hon. treasurer, and Mr. E. W. Spain, hon! secretary, spared no pains in securing the services of some of the best local talent, and in arranging for a programme of items racy of the soil. Among those present were Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., a number of local and visiting clergy, Hon. J. B. Callan, M.L.C., and Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways. The Christian Brothers' Choir are always prime favorites with the public, and their contributions to any entertainment are always highly appreciated. .On this occasion they gave the opening item, '.* The dear little shamrock,' under the direction of Brother Cusack, in a manner which elicited warm applause. . They also opened the second part of the programme with * Come back to Erin,' which was highly appreciated. Mrs. R -Hudson gave a finished rendering of ' Kathleen Mavourneen,' for which she : was enthusiastically recalled; her encore number being 'The ninepenny ■''•'fidiL"'"'. v In the second part of the programme Mrs. Hudson sang ' Asthore,' which was encored, but she contented herself with bowing her acknowledgments. Mrs. R. A. Power, who was accorded a very enthusiastic reception, sang with much feeling and expression ' Terence's farewell.' The inevitable recall followed, to which she responded with 'She is far from the land.' In the-second part she gave the ever popular 'Killarney,'.which was also encored, but she contented herself with acknowledging the appreciation'of the audience. A delightful item was The last glimpse of Erin,' by Miss Daisy Hall, in whom the audience recognised a vocalist of no ordinary merit. To the enthusiastic recall which followed, she replied with an item in Gaelic. To the second part of the programme she contributed ' Green Isle of Erin,' for which she was also recalled. A similar compliment was paid Miss M. Burke for an artistically" played'" violin solo. Mr. J. McGrath gave a splendid rendering of - 'The memory of the dead,' and replied to an emphatic encore with ' The wearin' of the green.' .Mr McGrath also contributed McCarthy's ' Countrymen awake,' and ' Maire' as an encore, both being warmly applauded. Mr. H. Poppelwell sang with much taste and feeling Molly Bawn,' and responded to an undeniable encore with 'The meeting of the waters.' Mr. J. Leech contributed two very acceptable items, ' Believe me, if all' and ' Macushla.' Well-merited encores followed in both instances. ' God Save the King ' brought a most successful concert, both from an artistic and attendance point of view, to a conclusion. Mr. Vallis played the greater part of the accompaniments during the evening, Miss C. Hughes playing those for the Christian Brothers' Choir. J,- - .-<»-.<•'.. ,:•;:..■•...-.

WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.) ;, " March 16. - • ■.->■ Beautiful weather favored the sports and picnic in connection with St. Patrick's Day. These, which were organised by the Hibernian Society and Catholic Club, were held to-day (Saturday) at Newtown Park, which is most suitable for the purpose. The proceedings commenced with the celebration of Masses at r 9 o'clock at St. Mary of the Angels' and the Sacred Heart Basilica. St. Mary of the Angels', being the starting point of, the procession, was crowded. Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), who also addressed the congregation on the feast of St. Patrick. After the Mass the children attending the schools were taken charge of by the members of the ladies' branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, and marched in procession to the Mercer street tram siding, from whence they were* conveyed by special trams to Newtown Park. The children's procession a large one, about 1000 children taking part in it. The military procession was V most

successful, six Catholic cadet corps were represented three senior and three junior. The 3 senior corps were the St. Patrick's College Cadets, St. Anne's, and St. Vincent's, and the three junior corps being the Marist Brothers (Te Aro and Thorndon) and the Catholic School (Petone). St. Anne's Cadets' Drum and Fife Band turned out under their conductor and instructor, Mr. F. L. Dean. The parade state was as follows: St. Patrick's College, under Father Eccleton, 70; St. Anne's, Captain Martin, 50; St. Vincent's, Captain Dwan, 40; Marist Brothers' (Te Aro), Captain Whitaker, 120 Marist Brothers' (Thorndon), Captain McKenzie, 80; Petone, 40. Captain Martin, of St. Anne's, acted as marshal of the procession. The remainder of the procession consisted of the H.A.C.B. Society and Catholic Club, there being a large number (150) of members of the H.A.C.B. Society present in regalia. Jupp's Brass Band and the St. Anne's Drum and Fife Band enlivened. the procession by the playing of purely Irish pieces. It goes without saying that the procession was the most successful item of the day's celebration. On arrival at the Park, sports were the order .of the day after the children had been provided with refreshments. Over 400 entries were received for the children's events, which caused great excitement. .Rev. Brothers Virgilius and Martin had a most strenuous day in controlling the events, and the thanks of the committee are due to them for the successful manner in which they carried out their duties. An object of great interest in the procession was the Irish jaunting car kindly lent for the occasion by the Rev. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert. In it were seated the little Misses Reeves and Master Reeves, children of Mr. Reeves, of the Evening Post, dressed in national costume, and Bro. M. Bohan, P.P., the veteran Hibernian and founder of the H.A.C.B. Society in Wellington. In the afternoon a large attendance of the public was present, including his Grace Archbishop Redwood, Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward, and Miss Eileen Ward, Sir James Carroll, Hon. Mr. Loughnan, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, Veil. Archdeacon Devoy, Very Rev. Father O'Shea, and all the local' clergy. The committee, with the Rev. Father Hickson as chairman and Mr. .11. McKeowen as secretary, deserve every credit for the excellent arrangements.

CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) The coincidence that St. Patrick's' Day fell this year on a Sunday was the occasion of the festival being observed with a greater degree of religious fervor than would be possible under other circumstances. At the 7 o'clock Mass, the members of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society approached the Holy Table in a body, wearing regalia. The Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father O'Boyle (chaplain), who spoke briefly on the subject of the day's- festival. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant of the half-past nine o'clock Mass, which is essentially the children's Mass, and hymns to St. Patrick were very nicely sung by them. In addressing the congregation, his Lordship, in appropriate and eloquent terms, treated as far as time would permit, of the life, sacrifices, and marvellous labors of the great Apostle of Ireland. That the fostering of the national sentiment in the young is not a neglected duty was pleasingly observable in the fact that almost all the children —boys and girls —wore a ' bit of green ' in common with their elders. At eleven o'clock there was Solemn High Mass at which his Lordship the Bishop assisted. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., was celebrant, Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, and Rev. Father O'Boyle subdeacon. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Tigar, O.P. In the evening there were solemn Vespers, in the presence of the Bishop, sung by the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., attended by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy and Rev. Father Hanrahan., the Rev. Father Tigar, 0.P., being also in the sanctuary. A very fine panegyric on the Apostle of Ireland was preached by the Rev. Father O'Boyle to a large congregation. His Lordship the

Bishop presided at Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rev. Fathers O'Boyle and Hanrahan being deacon and subdeacon respectively. .J , " The social celebration of St. Patrick's Day was, as in past years, a grand national entertainment for the benefit of Nazareth House, given on "Monday night. A very complete programme was presented, and contributed to by some of the best talent of the city, and Mrs. John Fraser (an Oamaru lady). In arranging the programme the committee were greatly indebted to Mr. R. A. Horne, manager of the Dresden, who was instrumental in securing the services of most of the artists, and helping in many ways towards the success of the entertainment. The following was the programme:—Part I.—Overture, Bunz's Theatre Royal Orchestra; statue drill, boys of Marist Brothers' School; song, 'The harp that once,' Miss Bessie Robinson; quartette, 'Oft in the stilly night,' Messrs Cookson, Vincent, March, and Millar; song, ' Killarney,' Mrs. W. Joll; song, 'She is far from the land,' Mr. A. L. Cropp; violin solo, Miss Irene Morris; drill, 'A select medley,' girls of Convent School, introducing Irish jig by Miss Rene-Egan. Part ll.—Overture,.'lrish selection,' Christchurch Banjo Band (conductor, Louis W. Bloy); song, ' Believe me if all those,' Miss. Vera Humphries; song, ' The Irish emigrant,' Mr. R. D. Vincent; song, Last rose of summer,' Mrs. John Fraser; recitation, 'Paddy's courtship,' Miss Alice Saunders; song, 'The minstrel boy,' Mr. George March; quartette; 'Down in.de cornfield,' Messrs Cookson, Vincent, March and Millar: chorus, 'Erin, beautiful Erin,' the company. Accompanist, Mr. A. J. W. Bunz..., . (By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) March 18. . The Theatre Royal was packed to overflowing^- The sale of tickets was stopped early in the evening. His Lordship the Bishop and a large party of clergy were present. " The Bishop, speaking from the stage, warmly thanked the performers and the whole of the theatre staff, who generously gave their services free.

AUCKLAND

By telegraph from our own correspondent.) March 18. St. Patrick's Day was celebrated this year with unusual enthusiasm, the celebration ranking among the most successful held in Auckland.. Up to Friday night rain poured incessantly, but Saturday morning was ushered in with a blue sky, and bracing southerly wind. The rendezvous was at the Cathedral, where the children from St. Benedict's, Ponsonby, Parnell, Remuera, Ellerslie, Otahuhu, Onehunga, Devonport, and Star of the Sea and Takapuna Orphanage gathered. ~ The children assisted at the early Masses in their respective churches, and arrived at the Cathedral in time to move off in the procession to the music of two bands. In the procession was Mr. Allen Doone's jaunting car, in which was Mr. T. Buckley, a member of the company, who played the Irish pipes. Three thousand children took part, and the route'was by Wyndham, Albert, Custom, and Queen streets, Karangahape road, over Grafton bridge, into the Domain, which was bathed in glorious sunshine. On arrival each parish contingent moved off to its respective tent, where the children were amply catered for. At one o'clock the enclosure was cleared for the sports, which were soon in full swing. Crowds now poured on to the ground, and by three o'clock 15,000 has assembled? The great attraction was unquestionably the Donaldson-Postle racesthree distances 150, and 200 yards. Postle won all three events. The first equalled the world's record, and the other two lowered the world's record. The vast crowd, which was roused to a great pitch of enthusiasm, rushed the ground, and bore Postle shoulder high. Races for both amateur and professionals took place, during which the exciting tug-of-war, for which seven teams entered, was held.' The police team won. Then followed, drill exercises by trained squads from the Catholic Schools, the Sacred Heart School being the winners. At r the conclusion of the athletic events, the ground was" cleared and an exhibition was given by on v thousand children

from the combined Catholic schools. After/several pretty movements, a huge living shamrock was formed, the stem, leaves, and branches being beautifully formed, the display evoking "round after round of applause. Then tiie words ' New ; Zealand ' were formed, and aroused renewed applause. Each squad showed different coloured small flags and the effect in the bright sun, when all these were held aloft, was striking and effective. The vast concourse was beside itself in evincing its enthusiastic approval. Mo display like it has ever been given here, and the Brothers and Sisters, and their pupils, are to be congratulated upon the magnificent results achieved. ; : Mr. Allen Doone, an old athlete, was interviewed by a local press man. He said : ' The meeting was the best managed affair of the kind he had seen. . The administration pleased him as a showman, just as the events pleased him as an athlete. That was the way they ran things in America on the circus system, keeping the programme moving right along, and the public interested ail the time. The children's display caught my eye. I have seen displays like that in America all my life, but I have never seen one quite so well done. I also took particular notice of the sobriety of the crowd. Why, I did not see one drunken man all day. Now, in America, at a show like that we would" have the hurryup waggon going all the time.' The concert in the evening at the Town Hall was a triumphant success. The vast building was filled. The programme consisted of choruses by the children, quartettes, vocal and instrumental solos, and organ solos, all of which were excellently rendered and the performers were vociferously applauded. His Lordship the Bishop at an interval ascended the stage and spoke in glowing terms of the great successes of the day, and of the concert that evening. He congratulated and thanked all who had worked so long and well to achieve what had been so well thought out and done, and he thanked the general public for their liberal patronage, and he felt sure the public had received and obtained good value for their money. He thanked all most heartily. - , , A pleasing feature of the concert was when the Bishop arrived he was announced by one of the officials, at which the grand organ pealed forth a march, the vast audience rising to its feet as the Bishop walked to his seat in front. ' On Sunday night at the Cathedral Rev. Father Brennan preached an excellent panegyric of St. Patrick. He departed from the beaten track, and dealt with the subject in a manner quite original. Pontifical Benediction followed. The members of the local branch of the Hibernian Society attended in regalia, and formed a guard of honor outside for his Lordship. Nearly all the district officers were present. Mr. Allen Doone, before leaving Auckland, was proposed as a life member of the local branch of the Hibernian Society.