WAIMATE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 12, 21 March 1901, Page 19

WAIMATE.

The annual concert in connection with St. Patrick's School, Waimate, took place on Monday evening in the OddfellowB 1 Hall, when an excellent programme was submitted. The parts assigned to the pupils of the school (says the local Timet) were all well performed and reflected every credit ion the teachers. The scarf drill by the girls and the wand drill by the boys were perhaps their most interesting contributions. Miss Ethel Jones played very acceptably the music for the school children. The children's piano numbors and choruses were also well rendered. The performances of the scholars were interspersed with items by local adult talent. Mr. C. J. Goldstone was successful in 'The lads in navy blue.' Mr. Hutton received an encore for his first song and responded by giving 1 Father O'Flynn,' the song on the programme. The same gentleman contributed another item in substitution of a jig by Mr.J. M'Aleer, whose services were not available. Mr. J. Manohe3ter gave I a new version of ' The wearing of the green,' which took immensely, and he was encored, his encore number being also well received. Mr. Manchester is improving greatly in hie sinking, a fact which the audience was quick to nckuowledge. M:ss Petit gave a most acceptable rend. ring of ' The dear little shamrock.' which was encored. Ihe pr._ry song ' Killaniey ho fair ' was sweetly sung by Mios Boyd. Mirm cinclair played a violin solo with great skill and was well received, Mrp. Hamilton playing the piano accompaniments. Altogether the programme was an excellent one and not too long. Those who accompanied were Mrs. Hamilton and Misses Gaitt, M, Franklia, and Dooley. The drawing of the Carnival art union afterwards took place, the result of which will be found in our advertising columns. The first prize goes to the Thames. The carnival altogether realised nearly £600. On Saturday the ceremony of unfurling the flag of Ireland, presented to the pupils of St Patricks school by the Rev. Father JAegnault was performed at 12 o'clock. The flagstaff, which was presented by Mr. William Quinn, of Makikihi, is erected near the gate in the presbyiery grounds. Just before noou the children were drawn up on the lawn. Father Regnault said he had asked his Worship the Mayor to put up the fiUg of Ireland, which it was most fitting should be Mown on the eve of St. Patrick's Day. It would serve to remind them of the land from which their fathers came and to keep green within them the faith their fathers brought with them and for which they still made so maoy sacrifices. For centuries Ireland was the home of letters and the arts. They need have no reaßon to blush for the flag which was lowered only with honor to a superior force. In unfurling the flag his Worship expressed himself as very pleased, more especially as he had Irish blood in his veins. After an interesting sketch of the early life of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, he said that though the Irish flag was embodied in that of Great Britain and they were one nation under one flag, still there was no reason why they should not revere the flag of the native country of their fathers. They would remember that it was very shortly before the late Queen died that she presented the flag of Ireland to the Irish regiment which bad fought so bravely in the present war. Three cheers were given for the flag, the children uniting in a verae or two of ' God Save Ireland.' Cheers were also given for Mr. Quinn and Father Regnault. The Rev. Father O'Connell said that though they were hoisting the flag of Ireland, they were none the less loyal to their other flags. If the children would uphold the honor of their flag they would realise what it was to be true, gallant ohildren of Irish parents. Several gentl9tnen present were entertained st the presbytery, and after a few minutes' chat a very pleasing ceremony was concluded.