The Arrow Observer, AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. Arrowtown, Friday, May 31, 1872.

Lake County Press, Issue 52, 31 May 1872, Page 2

The Arrow Observer, AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. Arrowtown, Friday, May 31, 1872.

With the present issue of this journal closes the first year of our being, and in entering upon the second year we take the opportunity of briefly reviewing the progress made in this district during the past twelve months, and saying a few words to our readers. Without according to ourselves any undue measuie of praise, we may say we feel gratified in that our exertiors have proved a benefit to the community among whom we live It does not require any great degree of penetration to discern that during the last twelve months both the town and district of Arrow have made many important advances, and we may very safely infer that this improvement has displayed itself both commercially and socially. Whether we have been instrumental in bringing about this satisfactory change iu affairs is a question we leave to the judgment of residents themselves; but the fact must be patent to all that the change has taken place since the establishment of a newspaper in the district. Twelve months ago, Arrowtown possessed no regular place of worship ; now it has a handsome church, and a second is in contemplation. Twelve months ago, a brick or stone building, erected from plans drawn up by a professional architect, or even a brick chimney, was uuthought of by even the most g<.-a-hend resident ; now we have accomplished both. A year ago, the miners in this district were a disorganised body; now they have for-ned an Association for combined action, and in doing so have made their influence felt in the legislation of the country. Since the same period we have had a Government Post and Telegraph Office built, and are now in connection with every place in New Zealand where telegraphic communication exists. The district can now boast of being possessed of two flour mills, where one only existed; while, since a newspaper devoted solely to the interests of the place was started the Arrow is not looked upon simply as a suburb of Queenstown, but has asserted itself and made itself known and recognised as the chief political centre of the Wakatip—its vote alone being able to decide the fate of elections. Many more happy changes we could enumerate, but think sufficient have already been named to show that we have not lived or labored in vain. Much more, however, remains to be accomplished, and the people of the district may rely upon it that we shall be ever watchful of their interests.

Having said so much upon the pro gress of the district, we will now say a few words about ourselves In the first place, a newspaper is, after all, only a commercial speculation, and no public journal can be carried on unless it pays. To establish a paper is a matter of considerable difficulty, and no business requires such a large amount of patience and. good judgment, let alone the capital invested. The first twelve months of its existence is therefore a trying period ; and having reached this stage a pretty correct opinion may be gathered of the future. We have no doubt that the Arrow is capable of supporting a newspaper, if people will only subscribe and patronise its business columns to a moderate extent, displaying neither lavishness nor meanness, but adopting a middle course. This is the duty of any community who desire to retain a local organ in their midst. We have unflinchingly performed our part, but we have not been requited in a generous nanner. Some have done everything in their power to support

ouf broadsheet; but On toe other band there are a few who have ignored its existence altogether up to the present For favors already received we accord the public our thanks. It is for thorn to say whether there shall continue to be a paper on the Arrow or not. We do not require a great deal to preserve our journalistic existence ; still we require a little more than we have hitherto received. Having spoken thus plainly, we leave the result in the hands of the public.