ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 12, 21 March 1901, Page 29

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS.

CONCEBT IN DUNEDIN. As we anticipated, the conoert given in the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, on Friday night in connection with the anniversary of Ireland's patron saint was a great Buooeas from an artistic point of view, whilst the attendance was very good and much in excess of former years. The programme opened with a pianoforte duet faultlessly played by Mrs. J. Woods and Mr. A. Vallis. 'The minstrel boy' was sung in a finished manner by Mr. James Jago, who had to respond to a recall, the encore item being • Connemara.' Mias Constance Pearson gave a very pleasing rendering of ' Avourneen,' for which she was warmly applauded. Mr. Edgar Bush displayed more than ordinary dramatic power in his recitation ' Shamus O'Brien,' the delivery of which was punctuated by frequent applause. Mr. T. J. Hussey was in splendid voice, and hia singing of • Believe me if all ' earned for him a well-merited encore, to which he responded with ' Off to Philadelphia.' It is needless to observe that Miss Rose Blaney's singing of ' Rory darling ' was an artistio performance, and the audience insisted on an encore, to whioh she responded with l The dear little shamrock.' Herr Zimmermann contributed an exquisite violin solo, ' Yankee Doodle,' whioh found much favor with the audience, and was redemanded. Mr. P. Carolin sang with taste and feeling, ' Oh I Erin, the tear and the smile.' The first part of the programme was brought to a close with a popular item, an Irish jig, which was given with grace and precision by Miss Winnie McCormaok, a young lady of six or seven summers, that elicited long continued applause, and had to be repeated. The seoond part was opened with a selection from ' The Geisha ' by St. Joseph's orchestra, under the conduotorship of Mr. A. Vallis. Mr. W. Shephard Bang with feeling ' Eily mavourneen,' and a cornet solo by Mr. R. Philips found much favor with the audience. For his finished singing of ' Oh ! Erin, my country,' Mr. E. Eag&r was recalled, his encore item being ' The rose of Tralee.' Balfe's ' Killarney ' was interpreted in a sympathetic manner by Miss Rose Blaney, who had to respond to the inevitable encore. Mr. J. A. O'Brien contributed an euphonium bolo, ' Come back to Erin,' in his best style, for which he reoeived the warm plaudits of the audience. The concluding items were the ' Irish emigrant ' by Mr. J. Jago, and a humorous song by Mr. T. Anthony, which so pleased the audience that he had to contribute a second item. The accompaniments during the evening were played by Mrs. J. Woods and Mr. A. Vallis, the main portion of the work falling on the former, who discharged the task with her accustomed ability. During the interval the Rev. Father Murphy, Adm., took the opportunity of thanking the audience for their attendance, the performers for their services, and the committee for their labors in connection with the concert. He desired also to thank the Rev. Father Ganly, of Melbourne, for honoring them with his presence. He had to thank the Mayor (Mr. U. Chisholm) for his presence on that occasion and also lor pawt favors. During the Mayor's term of office he (Father M irphy) oad had on various occasions to call on him, and he lia.il aiwaye tuund him most courteous, and he took the opportunity thut evening of thanking his Worship for the many favors he had conferred on the Catholic body during his term of office. It may be mentioned that prior to the commencement of the concert the Kaikorai Band marched from the Octagon and played in front of the hall.

BPORTB AND CONCERT AT A6HBUBTON. The annual athletic meeting of the Ashburton St. Patrick's Day Sports Association was held in the Domain grounds on Thursday afternoon, when the attendance was good. The arrangements were excellent, and reflected credit on the committee. Each event (says the Mail) was got off punctually to time, and at no portion of the afternoon did the sport in any way drag. The bicycle races, although very interesting-, oall for no particular mention. In the amateur cycle event D. Rodger proved his superiority over the rest of the field by winning easily, after catching his opponents in the ueoond lap. In the cash cycling events, the St. Patrick's Wheel Race (the principal race of the meeting) was won by J. E. Marriott, a Christchurch rider. W. C. Clarkson, of Palmerston North, wa», after Marriott, the moat successful of the cash men. A word of praise is due to the sports' officials for the manner in which they carried out their duties. The Oddfellows' Hall was packed in the evening, when a conoert in connection with the celebration of the anniversary of Ireland's patron saint was given. The audience was very appreciative, and encores were numerous. An instrumental overture by an orchestra of nine members, with Mr. A. Claridge leading, and Mrs. Claridge at the piano, opened the proceedings, and in this and other portions of the programme the band provided some excellent music, Mr. Kersel sang ' The gallant fusiliers ' in a pleasing manner, and Miss Pender's distinct articulation in ' Killarney ' formed a feature of her excellent rendering of this favorite song, and in response to a loud recall the gave * Come back to Erin.' Mr. Schwartz was in capital voice, and did full justice w» ' Father O'Flynn,' fairly bringing down the house. A violin solo by Mies Simmonds, ' The wearing of the green,' was very carefully and nicely played, as also her encore piece ' The laet rose of summer.' Mrs. Denshires song, ' The ■wallows,' showed the result of careful Btudy, and met with such favor that she was compelled to re-appear. An Irish dance by Muses T. Devane, Lagan, Cullan, Fitzgerald, Messrs. A. J. D. and W. Fittgerald gave evidence of considerable practice, and the item proved very enjoyable. Mr. Snodgrass followed with ' The jovial friar,' but his fine voice was not heard to best advantage, apparently owing to nervousness. Mrs. Johnstone made herself a strong favorite in her rendition of the ever welcome song ' Kate O'Shane,' and was encored loudly. Miss Collins has a very Bweet voioe and met with the approval of the audience in her original and encore itemß, The appearance of Mr. D. Thomas was the signal for

a loud burst of applause, and before giving his comic son* he expressed his sympathy with the promoters of the concert in their efforts to further the education of Catholic children. His song was redemanded, and this closed the first portion of the entertainment. The various acoompaniments were efficiently played by Mesdames Claridge, Denshire, Misses Riohardson and Bournique and Mr. F. Curtis. After an interval the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell announced that in the farce to follow by the Catholic Literary Society's dramatic class, he had to express regret that Miss M. Madden, who was taking a part, had been suddenly taken seriously ill, and was thus prevented from appearing, and he asked for the indulgence of the audience towards Mian A McDonnell, who. besides taking her own portion of the play, had taken up also the dual part. He farther took the opportunity to thank the audienoe for their atten. danoe in helping the object of the Sisters and expressed thanks to the various performers. The farce 'Declined with thanks,' was then performed by the class, Misses McDonnell and Niven and Messrs. Hanrahan, Healy, and Nolan having the bulk of the work on their shoulders. This gave a very pleasurable half hour for the audience, which left highly satisfied with the evening's enjoyment. Mr. Bowden had a busy time as stage manager, and Mr. H. M'Sherry acted aa conductor of proceedings.

CONCERT IN CHBISTCHUBCH. (By Telegraph from our own correspondent). March 19. There was a crowded and most enthusiastic audience at the Exhibition Hall on Monday evening for the concert in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. His Lordship the Bishop and a great number of the clergy extended their patronage, and most of the items on the programme were encored. All the arrangements were perfect, and the event was marked with conspicuous success. During the day the green fla£ of Ireland floated gaily over the Government Building. On the whole, the festival was observed with greater eclat than on any previous occasion. Green was very conspicuous on Saturday and Sunday, and every other person one met wore a favor of the Irish national color. The following was the concert programme : — Part I. : Overture, ' Echoes from Erin,' Mr. H. Rossiter's orchestra ; song, ' Father O'Flynn,' Mr. E. McNamara ; song, • Come back to Erin,' Mise J. Muir : recitation. • Shamus O'Brien,' Mr. D. Ryan ; instrumental quartette, Misses K. and M. Picken, K. Bourke, and S. Mullin ; song, 'O, Erin, my country,' Misß Rose Blaney ; song, 'Asthore,' Mr, C. Read ; song, Mr. R. Petersen ; Irish reel by Miaseß Gundersen (2), East, Myers, Winstone, Hammond, and McDougall. Part 11. : Instrumental selection, ' Irish fantasia,' Misses H. and K. Flynn, Peggy and Lillie Bain ; ballad, ' Colleen Oge, Asthore,' Mr. C. Read ; song, ' Killarney.' Miss Rose Blaney ; recitation, ' Hamlet's Boliliquy,' Mr. D. Ryan ; song, ' Off to Philadelphia,' Mr. E. McNamara ; song, 'Kathleen Mavourneen, 1 Miss J. Moir ; descriptive song, ' Boya of the Emerald Isle,' Mr. K. Petersen ; Irish jig, Mr. E. O'Connor ; finale, 'God save the King.'

SPOUTS IN WELLINGTON. A Wellington message says : ' The members of the Hibernian Society assembled in Hill street on Saturday morning, and, headed by the Garrison Band, marched with banners flying to the Basin Reserve, where the annual St. Patrick's Day sports were held. The principal handicap, three distances, was won by Somers from scratch, he being first in the 220 yds and 4ioyds and third in the 100 yds. Payne was second and Furrie third. P. M'Coll won the half-mile, and L. Ward defeated his brother, H Ward, in the mile run, after a good race, by a few inches. The two-mile bicycle race was won by Randrup, with Burton Second. In the three-mile event the positions were reversed, Burton being first and Randrup second.'