DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 12, 20 March 1902, Page 20

DUNEDIN.

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in Dunedin by a national concert in tbr evening in the Garrison Hall. Active preparations had bden m.ide for the event, but it looked during the e»rly p irt of the day as if the inclemency of th j weather would interfere with the attendance Happily the rain cleared off during the afternoon, the remit being a full house. The energetic committee had prepared a very tiae programme made up princ pally of Irish t-ongs and melodies, and had secured the cervices of some of the leading vocalists and instrumentalists in the city, so that from the first the suocess of the concert from au artistic point of view was assured. The hall was niuply decorated with flags, pot plants, etc , the hands 'me b-inner of the Hibernian Society occupying a central position. The arrangements were nearly as perfect as possible, and all who had a hand in bringing the concert to such a suioes-ful issue deserve the warmest congratulations. Among tbo«e present were his Lordship Bishop Verdon and several of the Catholic clergy. The concert was opened with a pianofort* duet (two pianos) by the Misses S and A T . Hall, which was admirably playt-d ail warmly applauded. A double quartet, 'The harp that once,' sung by Mrs. Hudson, Misses Rose Blaney, A. Marks, ami M. Drurnin, and Messrs Carolin, Eagar, Jago, and Hussey, was, as might be expected from the reputation of the singers, beautifully rendered and much appreciated, as was also ' The iniiiLtrel boy ' given by theui later on. Miss Rose Blancv, who is always a great favorite, got an enthusiastic reception, and the inevitable encore followed her singing of ' Ireland, 1 love thee, Aoushla Machree.' Miss Blaney also took part in a duet with Mrs. Hudson, 'Go pretty Rose,' for which they were recalled. Mrs. Hudson's well-trained voice was heard to considerable advantage in that old, but always appreciated, song, ' Eileen Alannab,' and she received a well-merited encore. Miss Annie Marks gained the appreciation of the audience by her singing of 'Come back to Erin.' Mr. E. Eagar gave a splendid rendering of ' The lo v-backed car,' and was encon d. Mr. T. Hussey sang with considerable success ' The evergreen hope,' receiving an enthusiastic recall, a similar compliment being paid to Mr. Carolin for his ' Meeting of the waters,' and Mr. J.igo tor his ' Irish emigrant.' Mr. Macassey was recalled for a well-delivered recitation, Mr. Anthony created considerable amusement with a comic song for which he was encored. One of the most popular items on the progiamme was an Irish jig by Miss Winnie M'Cormac, who received the heartiest recall of any given during the evening, and she well deserved it. Herr Zimmerman contributed a violin selection from Wallace's opera, ' Lurhne,' with his accustomel skill, the iuevitable recall following. Mr. Vallis acted as accompanist during the evening.

Ju->t before the final item his Lordship Bishop Verdon in a brief speech congratulated the committ< c on the success of the concert, which was the btst they had had for mmy ye.irs. lie \v,ih pleased to see such a large audience, and they would not be true to their traditions if they dH cot endeavor to cel< brate the festival (if St. Patrick in a becoming maimei. The children of St. Patrick were that day celebrating the festival ;ill ovr r the world, and their prayers should be that God would bless Ireland, and that her children would be true to the traditions cf their fathers.