THE NEW YEAR.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XV, Issue 1201, 31 December 1858, Page 3

THE NEW YEAR.

It is a good old custom to wish friends at the close of the old, a "happy new year" and in a young country like this, where year by year changes so important occur, the wish is both significant and suggestive. We wish this cordially to our old follow colonists, who long have sojoured and long intend to sojourn amongst us ; but no less cordially do we give those Stumrnoervoandten who are visiting us, and who we only fear will leave us too soon, nach alt-vaterlcendischer Weise a hearty prosit neu Jahr,

"We have shut out an article, the Auckland Medical Practitioners Bill— of no immediate interest, the Bill being lost — in order to make room for news.

Opening of Waieoa Presbyterian Church.— This place of worship was formally opened on Sabbath the 26th instant, by the Rev. D. Bruce, of Auckland, who preached a suitable discourse to * good and highly interesting congregation, composed almost entirely of the settlers in the district. On the Monday following there was held, in the afternoon, a Soiree, which was well attended. An excellent provision was made for the assembly bv theAadfes of jthe district, and a hearty rality. The chair was well occupied by the Rev. T. Norrie ; and addresses of a pleasing and instructive character were delivered by the Rev. J. Macky, of Otahuhu, and the Rev. D. Bruce and T. S. Forsaith, Esq., from Auckland. Not the least interesting feature in the character of this meeting was the mustering of a considerable number of natives to witness the proceedings, and to partake of the repast that had beeu prepared. At their own request arrangements were made to suit their convenience, and their presence was a source of much gratification to their European friends. The church, the opening services of which were the occasion of these religious and social meetings, is a remarkably neat edifice, capable of containing a congregation of 150 persons, and is, in every way, a credit to the district in which it is erected : embosomed by the forests, andjjfsituite on the side of the public road near to the landing-place of the Wairoa river, it forms a very attractive and interesting object to the eye of the traveller. It has cost in all about £150. The proceeds of the opening services amounting to upwards of £12, were added to the building fund. A small debt, of about £25, yet remains to be liquidated ; and the earnest exertions of the congregation, added to the liberality of their friends, will not; fail to realise the sum without much delay. The attention of the settlers will then be turned towards the establishment of a day ■chool ; and steps, we believe, have already been taken to attain this most desirable end.

Auckland Grind St. Leger.— The first page of this day's paper having been printed, when we received notice of; a change in the entries for the Above race , we were unable to change the advertisement already printed, but call the attention of our readers to the notice in our second page;