The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND Saturday Morning. Saturday, December 31, 1887. THE OLD AND NEW YEAR.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 86, 31 December 1887, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND Saturday Morning.

Saturday, December 31, 1887. THE OLD AND NEW YEAR.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy oonntry’g, Thy God’s, and truth’s.

Before many hours have passed, the death-knell of the year 1887 will have been sounded, and we will be entering upon another year. It is customary at this period to pause and reflect on the events of the old year, and by comparison to endeavor in the new year to make the best use of the experience gained in the past. Reflection is at all times to be commended, whether in our private or public matters, but at this season of the year it is a recognised principle which few overlook. The past year has been remarkable for two great events, of neither of which is there much likelihood of a repetition during the lifetime of those who have been privileged to witness the events this year. Reference is made to the Jubilee of the'reign of Queen Victoria and to the Jubilee of the accession to office of his Highness the Pope. Though we may rail against monarchy and predict a revolution in the present social state, there is no denying that Queen Victoria has always set a beneficent example to her subjects. Of the Pope's Jubilee, all denominations, though there may be differences on points of religion, can join with Catholics in their congratulations.

The present year opened with the threatening war clouds hanging over us, and though the clouds have at limes assumed a less threatening aspect, they are still visible, in the earlier part of the year it was feared that Russia and England would have come to blows. Now, however, there is one bright side to the question, and that is that if England is dragged into, war it will not be directly. The Triple Alliance, it was hoped, would have been the means of securing the permanent peace of Europe, but Russia seems destined to bring on a conflict. The. massing of troops on the Austrian frontier, and the responsive measures adopted by Germany and Austria, are matters for serious apprehension, and at present everything points to a big war in the not distant future.

At Home there have been two great questions to engross the public mind the Irish trouble and the unemployedThe former has taken up nearly the whole attention of the Br tish Parliament, and the Crimes Act—or as it is generally termed, the Coercion Act—was passed after some of the most notorious scenes that. have ever taken place in the British House of Commons. The Act is now in operation and our readers must be well acquainted with its working so far. But the time will come sooner or later when the Irish will have their rights. The London riots have given a striking proof of the social condition of London, and though the turbulent spirit of the rioters has for the time been quehed, the dis* content is only smothered for the time being. There is great destitution in the metropolitan city, and the cries of distress cannot be quenched. During the year some of the most disastrous fires occurred, in the burning of the Paris Opera Comique and the Exeter Theatre.

Coming to our own country, we have severely felt the pinch of the times, and the new year will be far advanced before a recovery can be anticipated. The Atkinson Government have been given a task which no one can envy. A great deal now depends with them, whether the colony is to be plunged

into bankruptcy, or lifted from its pre-, sent position.

There are many things to mar the outlook of the future, but all things being considered, the new year gives promise of much that we should be thankful for.