S. PATRICK'S DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1980, 17 March 1885, Page 2

S. PATRICK'S DAY.

The anniversary of tin- Patron Saint of Ireland will be celebrated in Various parts of Waikato to-day, and people of »U nationalities, English; Irish,' 'Scotch, mid what not, \\ ill Unite '4h the, festivities in honour of the Iv order the citizens of Auckland 1 .'may , assist this very laudable objeot^ the. Railw.iy Department has thoughtfully provided a sj>ecial train at greatly reduced fares,; and we j shall J doubllo-is havo to welcome a large influx of visitors. Kirst among the attraction's of the day we must place the horticultural iihow, to bg held in the Public Hall, Hamilton, if *for no other leason than because it aims at c inferring material benefit upon the district, through the medium of exhibiting its fruit, flower, and xegetable treasures ro the eye of the stranger. Ju all respects, the show pnmiixps to Iwi f.iirly successful, but .is an exhibition of apples, it will stand without peer in this colony. We were privileged to take a peep at the tables laot night, and we Hay unhesitatingly that we never saw a finer show of apples in our life. The wealth of tfruit displayed w<ih simply bewildering, and at the time of our vi>it (about midnight), then were' numerous cases still to unpack and arrange. There mu«t be close upon a hundred exhibits of apples alone. Of " garden stuff" too there was a goodly assortment, and as it lay in admired disorder, it was clear that there aro still giants (albeit vegetable) in the land. Of flowers of course there were none to be seen, but a brave array of pot plants stood on the platform waiting for somebody to put them iv their places. Numerous crates of prize fowls, ducks &c were lafely stowed in a corner. It is to bo regretted that tho hall is not much larger than it iv, ai difficulty will be experienced not only in finding space for the exhibits, but room for the visitors as well. And it may be concluded that of the latter theie will lie a large crowd. Numbers of people in the Upper Waipa, Cambridge, Piako and other districts have intimated their intention to be present, and the ordinary trains will suit these very welL It was suggested that the authorities should run a late train to Cambridge, but so far m is known, nothing has been done in this direction. The show will bo kept open the whole day from 1 p.m. An additional attraction has been provided in the shape of Mr Bell's String Band, which will play selections from popular composers, and as the members have lately been going in for vigorous rehearsal, their efforts cannot fail to give delight. The annual race meeting at Kihikihi to-day promises to provide a good day.-, amusement for those whose tastes are equestrian, and in the evening the annual Catholic concert at the same place offers inducements of an intellectual kind to the good people of that district. The annual Raglan races also come off to-day, and, if they bear any resemblance to previous events of tho kind, should be a source of pleasure to both races in that secluded spot. At Taupiri, the residents havo provided a rich bill |of fare in the shape of horse and foot sports, boal raci.ig, &c, ke, and the holiday will bo wound up in the orthodox manner with a concert in aid of the Catholic Church, to be followed by a dance. Cambridge's contribution to the means of enjoyment consists of a concert (now become an annual affair) in aid of tho Catholic Church, and as some of the best amateur talent of Waikato and Auckland has been engaged, we do not doubt that it will be a great success in every way. In addition to the Horticultural Show, Hamilton offers a trotting match, which will be run on Sydney Square, at 4 p.m., and a lawn tennis match between the representatives of Kawhia, and the champions of Hamilton. The match will be played in the court, opposite Hally's hotel, Victoria -street, and will commence at about 10 a.m. There is accommodation on the ground for a largo number of spectators, and many visitors will doubtless avail themselves of tho opportunity to sco a good game at tennis. With moderately fine weather, of which, as we go to press, there is every indication, Saint Patrick's Day, 188, r i, will make a mark for itself in Waikato.