The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1903. THE PASSING OF 1902.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 347, 1 January 1903, Page 4

The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1903. THE PASSING OF 1902.

Before this issue will be in the hands of-our readers the bells will have rung out the dying year, and rung in the birth \ of 1903. At this time it is our usual custom to review the most salient features of the history-making events that have, in quick succession, occurred during tie year just left behind. Last year opened under auspices more or less depressing to the Empire, by reason of the Boer War, which continued to drag its weary course along with painful persistence, the enemy's forces being daringly obstinate, though reduced to straits almost bordering on semi-starvation. At the beginning of the year, however, their fighting resources were all but exhausted, and their determined obstinacy almost overcome; till, finally, chiefly as the result of Lord Kitchener's famous " drives " and his blockhouse system, the were led to see the folly of furtner resistance, and they became somewhat amenable to reason. Hence, at the latter end of May last, at Vereeniging, the enemy finally accepted the terms of surrender submitted to them. The declaration of Peace was a fitting prelude to the Coronation of our well-beloved King, which was to take place on June 26th. But this was not to be just yet. The King, on the eve of his Coronation, after all arrangements had been made on a scale of magnificence befitting much an august occasion, was prostrated by a painful malady, in consequence of which he had to undergo a serious operation, which was successfully performed'by <one -of the most skilled surgeons in the Kingdom. During this time of exceptional trial, the people throughout the Umpire combined in invoking divine aid on behalf of the Royal sufferer, and the prayers of his people Were answered by the King'a complete recovery. The Coronation eventually took place on August 9th, with all the pomp and splendour inseparable from such an imposing ceremony and amid the acclamations and plaudits of millions of loyal subjects. On that great occasion, our own Colony was: ably represented by our Premier, the Bight Hon. R. J. Seddon, who worthily maintained the prestige of the Colony, among statesmen from all parts of the Empire, potentates; from India, and princely representatives of great nations of Europe. These all yied with each other in doing homage to the greatest of England's great kings. The year has fittingly closed intbe

Motherland with the passing into law of the Education Act, which, according to its provisions, confers the inestimable boon of a free education on the poorest child in the Kingdom, The smoothing away of racial hatreds and the complete pacification of South African affairs can well be left in the J hands of Mr Chamberlain and Lord Milner, who fully, recognise the difficulties they have to encounter in their arduous undertaking. . ■• The affairs of our own Oolony have gone on- smoothly during the year. The people did their duty to the Empire by despatching the Ninth and Tenth Contingents to the seat of war, but, happily, peace was declared before they got to the front. The last session of Parliament was without any noteworthy event, with the exception of the vote for the borrowing of £1 4 500,000, for expenditure on public works. The Colony already has a National Debt of fairly large proportions, but the energy and resourcefulness of our political leaders, and the ' wonderful reproductiveness of the Colony, will help us to tide over any trifling inconveniences that may arise from a little extra burden of debt. The vote for the further construction of the Otago uentral Railway, which immediately concerns us, will not be fully spent before the end of the j financial year, unless a little pressure is brought to bear on the- Minister for Public Works; and our anticipations with regard to the completion to Alexandra of this railway have to be considerably discounted. We fully anticipated that, according; to Ministerial promises, the line would be within a short distance of Alexandra at the end of 1902; but, judging by the present rate of progress, it is questionable if the end of 1905 will see the line at our doors. A noticeable feature of. last year's session was the ability and tactfulness displayed by the ActingPremier (Sir Joseph Ward), who acted as. leader of the House in the absence of the Right Hon. the Premier. The statesmanlike qualities exhibited by. Sir Joseph on that occasion, together with the great administrative ability evinced by him previously in controlling the various departments under his chargs, stamp him as the coming leading statesman in New Zealand. The dredging industry, within our ,own immediate vicinity, has, on the whole, been fairly __ prosperous;. and though we have all more or less felt the reactionary effects of the boom, it is undeniable that the industry is now firmly based as a source of wealth to the district and to the Colony. The end of the year saw the election of a new Parliament, from the combined wisdom of which we look for legislation that will guide the Colony's progress through the years to come. Viewing calmly the events of the year that has gone, we cannot- but feel thankful for the steady progress that has been made by the Colony; and looking ahead, we feel confident there is nothing to arouse pessimistic feelings in our minds. So, with trust in ourselves, confidence in bur legislators, and faith in ,the future, we commit Ourselves to 1903. In conclusion, we heartily wish our readers one and all