FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 155, 28 December 1935, Page 9

FIFTY YEARS AGO

ITE#S PEOM "THE POST"

CHRISTMAS IN 1885

"Christmaslide, with its festivities, has once more come and gone. For the time the troubles and cares of everyday life have given place to peace and pleasure, and the tired inhabitants throughout Christendom have rested from their labours. Wellington citizeps are in no way behind their neighbours in their observance of the Christmas season and their indulgence in its festivities. Business entirely ceases with Christmas Eve; the Christmas morn is ushered in with the pleasant peal of church bells, followed by choral and carol services, to which the citizens flock in large numbers; the day is spent in happy reunions, feasting, and social pleasures. The quiet of the time is, however, soon succeeded by the hilarity of the succeeding day, and the crowds who have thronged the city during the greater part of the year set off in various ways for some sort of enjoyment beyond the limits of the dusty thoroughfares of the town. Some take the trains for the country; others in vehicles laden with 'Christmas cheer', set off for some sequestered vale; others, less ambitious, or perhaps less able to afford the luxury of a horse and carriage, trudge heavily laden with their picnic trappings to the public gardens or to the sea shore, where, with their families and friends, they have a jolly time.Sports, monster picnics, Eteamboat excursions, balls, parties, concerts, and comedies afford ample entertainment for all who are not otherwise engaged. The.Christmas of 1885 differed in these respects little from former like anniversaries. The railways were taxed ' to their utmost, boating and shore picnic parties were very numerous, cabs, buses, and saddle hacks were in great demand, and by 11 o'clock the town was practically deserted. Order was maintained everywhere, and not a single mishap attributable to the festivities of the season occurred to upset the harmony or mar the enjoyment of the ho'|.day." TE KOOTI AGAIN. "It is to be regretted that Te Kooti should be determined, apparently, to persist in his intention of visiting the east coast settlements. Trouble will almost certainly arise if he does so. It is of course true that, legally, Te Kooti has been pardoned for all his old offences. Mr. Bryce whitewashed him, and then shook hands with the cruel author of the Poverty Bay massacre. The Natives do not quite understand the spirit of magnanimity by which Mr. Bryce is supposed to have been actuated, and those who fought as our allies against Te Kooti, and in doing -so-lost many of their kith and kin, are by no means disposed to forget or to forgive. This may be very unchaiitable, but it is very natural, and we are not at all surprised to learn that the east coast natives regard it as an outrage that Te Kooti should revisit the scene of his former murderous doings, and flaunt his present position in ■ their -faces. It is too true that he has xeceived better treatment from the Government than many of those who fought and bled on our side against him. If Te. Kooti persists in visiting Poverty Bay and Wairoa, it will, we fear, be very difficult to preserve the peace. His visit will almost certainly be strongly resisted by large sections of ■Natives, and that violence will result is only too probable. We do not think that there is any danger of the settlers suffering. Their sympathies will certainly not be with Te Kooti, but it is not likely that any of them will take part in or instigate any breach of the peace. The row will be an entirely Native one, but it . will nevertheless produce embarrassing consequences, as Te Kooti is of course acting within his legal rights in visiting any part of the colony, and he is as much entitled to ihe protection of the law in so doing as any other man in the colony. If, therefore, he is attacked or ill treated he will have the right to look tb the Government for protection and redress. It would be an ungracious and difficult thing for the Government to have to punish its former loyal friends and allies for anything they might chance to do to Te Kooti, but it is difficult to see how the' Government could evade the duty of doing so. Te Kooti is perfectly aware of the danger he incurs by his ill-advised visit, but he seems as anxious as if he were a ponnybrook Irishman to trail his coat in the hope of someone stepping on its tail. The Native Minister has, we believe, done all in his power to dissuade him from exciting the wrath of the east. coast tribes, but without much success. It': is to be regretted that a miscreant like Te Kooti should have it in his power to endanger the public peace, and probably to cause the country both trouble and expense. The fault lies with those who so readily forget the atrocities of Poverty Bay and restored Te Kooti to full, unfettered liberty of action and movement."