ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 339, 18 March 1874, Page 2

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Yesterday morjiing da-nined upon our friends of the Emerald Isle with rather gloomy forebodings. The appearance of the sky was very forbidding, and a cold bleak rainy miserable day was anticipated. But contrary to all expectations, the weather began to take xip about noon ; and, in the course of an hour, it assumed a settled appearance, and occasional glimpses of the sun cheered; the hearts of thti pleasure-seekers, many of whom could be observed bending their steps towards the recreation ground, where an excellent days sports had been arranged to take place. In the afternoon there wero several hundred spectators on the ground, aud the interest in the proceedings seemed very well kept up. Mr.' Roughan. of tbe Camp Hotel, had a large marqu.ee, in which he dispensed the cordials which gladden the heart of man ; and there were many who parfcook of bis cheering and refreshing draughts, even although Good Templarism continues to increase in the district. Not the least attraction, by any means, was the soulstirring music discoursed by tbe members of j. the Provincial Brass Band, who had been specially 'engaged from Dunedin for the occasion. ' -The following are tlfo roovilta of the races and 1 sports. Maiden' Plate of 5 soys. — T. Robertson's Unknown, 'l ; J. Davidson's. Alice Gray 2.; R.- Tuckey's Juliet 3. Humphrey's Dick also ran. 150 yards Foot Race.— Harris 1 ; Drake 2 ; Simmonds 9. RuNNiira Hop Step and Jdmp. — Davison 1 ; Craig 2. Mooney and Harris also competed. RtrxNixG High Leap.— Craig 2 ; Mooney 2 ; very well contested. CHirTA-MAir* 1 "Rack. — Three entries. Ah Mow 1 ; Ah Ch&ug 2-. : " St. Patrick's Handicap, o£ £10 ; distance, 2 miles. Tolfoivl's German Louis ' 1 Dr. Halley's Patch ■ ■ 2 Hanson's Harkaway and Davison's Alice Gray also ran. German Louis had tbe race alt his own way. 'Patch could never conic near him. Lad's Fooi Race. — £uos, 1. ' Vaulting with the Pole. — Craig, 1 ; Moonoy, 2. , Tu.f key and Da,vison also compjjled._' Putting the Stone, IJ-lb'Veight, Irish style. — Craig, 1. Coiqu and another divided for second prize. Handicap Foot Ra.ce, 4iO yds. — Davison (20 yds.),.! ; 'Erios. (3J yds.), 2 ; Harris (scratch), 3. ' Qijoit Match.— Farre'll, 1 ; Coutts, 2.' The display of fireworks, which had been arranged to take place on Monday evening, Wn« prvat-pnvn'l «v) n^oi".*- nf t%« «<,■« till laot night, when a.baufc ludf-psisfc 10 o.clock a balloo:i and some rockets were seen .to rise from the neighborhood of Trinity Church, intimating that the. #ra/2<# display oil flrejvoiks •waa about to be made v We cannot compliment the pyrotechnists on tho manner in which they .conducted the exhibition* There appeared to be an entire absence of plau in the arrangements, a.nd instead of presenting j •the .pleasing fffeqt they nygb-fc^have <loHe, there appeared to be nothing but confusion — like a dozen' :f boys running after «ach other with so many squibß, We were surprised to find bo many persons in Wliitehaven-street ■witnessing the display, the hour being so late and the night being so. cold. The chief attraction.of the evening was to be found in tho St. "Patrick's schoolhouse, ( wheife an audience.of ii.pwa.rds o^ 200 persons had assembled, to witness the_ dWrna'^ of Fabio'm represented^- by th<» children • of tbe school. The- only fault that could be found with the eritertainmenb was itsi great length. Tbe children performed- ike' pie^e most, admirably, being exceedingly .welt versed-. in their respective parts. The Provincial Band was present, and at intervals played Borne lively tunes. Several ■ ladies and gpntlemeu also, sung some popular airs be.tw.een the acts, ,