The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1880. PERSONAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 26, 10 July 1880, Page 2

The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1880. PERSONAL.

With the present issue of the Hawera and Normanby Star, the proprietors commence the second qnarter of their venture, and it is only right, in their opinion, that the public should be taken a little into their confidence. In our first issue, it was stated that we looked upon a newspaper as being, to a certain extent, a co-operative undertaking, and this is more especially the case in sparsely-populated districts. We have much pleasure in testifying to the fact that a largo section of the public has taken the same view of the matter. Many persons throughout the district have worked quite as hard as the proprietors to ensure the commercial success of the Star, and have taken a pleasure in endeavoring to increase its list of subscribers, and adding to its advertising columns. Nor has this interest been confined to any one class : old settlers and new arrivals have both done their share. We take it, therefore, that the Star, in the independent course which it has pursued from the commencement, has been on the right track, so to speak; and that those who may have felt a little hurt, because of any opinions expressed contrary to theirs, have recognised the fact that a newspaper, to be useful, must be independent of all parties; must steer clear of all cliques ; and must carefully avoid splitting up a small community into different sections. From the start, that has been the endeavor of its conductors, and they fully intend pursuing the same course in the future — always holding to themselves the right of expressing their own opinions, and upholding what they conscientiously believe to be truth and justice, and abhorring shams of all descriptions, whether political or otherwise.

So much by way of explanation as to policy. We have now reluctantly to explain as to the " pounds, shillings, and pence" part of the undertaking, which is not so agreeable to us. In going over our accounts for the quarter, although it has been a fairly prosperous one, we find that the balance' on. the

right side has been so small as to neces- j sitate some slight alteration in the prices hitherto charged for advertising. In the calculations made, the large expenditure for printing plant has not been included, because we look upon our types, presses, Sec, as very substantial assets. Certainly, we have had a very large outlay in the matter of telegrams during the past quarter, which will be somewhat reduced after the termination of the Parliamentary Session. But a journal, like an individual, must be independent in its commercial transactions, if it desires to be unfettered in the course of action which it lays down for itself. Thei*efoi'e, to ensure that such shall be the case with the Star, we have ft It compelled to modify our scale of advertising charges to such an exient as to recoup ourselves for the large expenditure which the publication entails. This will be done in such a way that those who give us their favoi # s will feel the change very lightly, whilst at the end of twelve months the increased charge will make a considerable difference in the income of the paper. All existing contracts will, however, be strictly adhered to. When we 6tate that telegraphic charges — including the amounts paid to the United Press Association, and Reuter's Agency — during the past quarter, amounted to no less than £50, our friends and the public will be able to form an estimate for themselves as to the heavy outlay which a well-conducted journal renders necessary, even in a country district. We have to renew our thanks to our many friends for the help rendered, and the kind wishes so often expressed. The labors of journalists are by no means light, and it is no small compensation to them to feel that their efforts are appreciated by those around them.