The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1910. IRELAND'S PATRON SAINT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 March 1910, Page 2

The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1910. IRELAND'S PATRON SAINT.

Goon Irishmen all tlie world over are blithe of heart to-day, .and stepping lightly as their limbs will allow them, in honour of Ireland's patron saint. There .3 a characteristic Irish legend that once it was doubtful whether Saint Patrick was born on the Bth or the 9th of the month, and that the feud was settled, after a few heads had been cracked with blackthorn convincers, by adding the two dates together and celebrating the day on tho 17th. Certain it is that in these times tho 17th is the one and only day, and that' in every corner of this green island there is as keen an appreciation for the occasion as there is in " the" green isle itself. One proof of this is seen in Levin to-day, where the shopkeepers and tradesmen have closed their places of business in hoMour of the occasion, and the populace is making merry at Weraroa by holding sports and races for men, beasts and motor cars—which

is about as comprehensive a combination for sporting purposes as could be devised anywhere. Tho occasion is further noticeable for tho fusion of various nationalities in the celebration. These are times whe,n the bitterness of faction strife has died out; days in which men have censed to squabble about "minor points in theology, and the exact width of a chasuble's hem." Ireland's patron saint shares with St. Andrew (we would add St. George, if we could) the admiration which all fair-miiul;d people feel for those who have boon benefactors and uplifters of their fellow men. Both these missionaries came to separate count: if s, tho people of which had need of spiritual guidance and improvement, and both of them raised their people's level, and inculcated in them higher ideals. To the end of time, perhaps, great or lessor differences of opinion will obtain in regard to theological matters, but we who at present strut upon the world's stage may at leant hope that the more kindly spirit of mutual tolerance that has sprung up in these younger lands will le perpetuated by the generation io come, and that any revival of tlie strife and contention of the olden times will never have justification. Meanwhile, there are two merry sections celebrating the festival at Weraroa to-day: the Irishmen—and those less fortmiateily placed in point of nationality. There is no one, surely, who has not envied thu typical son of Erin his volatile spirits and his jaunty carriage; most of all, his habit of casting cares to the ground and metaphorically dancing upon them. And to-day, especially, he is collectively gay. What says tho old ditty? "Saint Patrick was a gentleman I "Sure his name we celebrate; "And on the 17th March "Tlio Irish concentrate. "A brand new hat on each man's head, "And a green necktie, that's newly made. "Left foot first! and lightly tread, "On Saint Patrick's parade."