ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN BALLARAT

New Zealand Tablet, 25 April 1918, Page 13

ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN BALLARAT

The Apostolip Delegate took .part in the celebration of the Irish National Festival in Ballarat. His Excellency was surrounded by many distinguished prelates, including the Archbishop of Melbourne and the Archbishop of Brisbane. The demonstration (says the Ballarat Star) easily eclipsed all previous records. Throughout the morning, and again in the evening, the national colors of Ireland were the predominating feature in the city. From all parts of the surrounding country hundreds, if not thousands,- of people came into Ballarat; Irishmen and women in the city and town turned out in great numbers and all sported their green rosettes or ribbon streamers, while not a few wore buttons and miniature photographs of Archbishop Mannix. Thousands of people lined the streets along the route of the procession, which started from St. Patrick’s Hall punctually at -past 11. The procession was the largest and most interesting of its kind witnessed in Ballarat for many years, and was headed by a body of returned soldiers, to the number of about 100. A mounted guard preceded the first carriage, in which were his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate (Archbishop Cattaneo), the Bishop of Ballarat (Dr. holey), the secretary to the Delegation (Monsignor Ormond), and Rev. Father McKenna (Rector of St. Leo s College, Brisbane). The second carriage contained the Archbishop of Melbourne (Dr. Mannix), Aichbishop Duhig (Brisbane)-, Monsignor Shanahan, and Count T. O’Loughlin. In the third carriage were the Bishop of Bendigo (Dr. McCarthvV Bishop of Sale Dr. Phelan), Monsignor Marshall, and Rev. Father McCoy. The fourth carriage conveyed the Very Rev. Father Kerin (Adm. of St. Patrick’s Cathedral). Rev. lathers Doyle, Devane, and Shine. Following them were a number of motor cars containing clergy from all parts of the diocese. The Irish Pipers from Melbourne came next, playing popular Irish airs, which were frequently applauded bv the crowd. There was a crowd of between 6000 and 7000 people at the Coliseum in the evening, when an Irish national concert was held. The arrival of the Apostolic Delegate and the Archbishop of Melbourne (Dr. Mannix), accompanied by Archbishop Duhig, Bishops Foley, Phelan, and McCarthy, was the signal for an outburst of cheering. After the brilliant concert, the prelates, amidst tremendous cheering, took seats on the platform, and his Excellency and the visiting Archbishops and Bishops were welcomed by the Bishop of Ballarat. On rising to speak, Archbishop Mannix was received with vociferous cheering, which lasted for several minutes. The Archbishop of Melbourne said that as they had seen by the papers, there was a very hot wind blowing in Melbourne at the present time. (Loud laughter.) There were in Melbourne, so the papers told them—it was a lie as usual—(cheers)3ooo people calling for the deportation, or expulsion, from Melbourne of the Archbishop of Melbourne. (Voice : “Never,” and great cheering.) It was possible—(Voices: “No fear” and “Never.”)—lt was possible that they might succeed. (Voices: “No.”) He thought that the Apostolic Delegate would recognise that if he was driven from Melbourne he would be able to make some stand at Ballarat. (Loud cheers.) He would not say more about the matter.