THE Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1878.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 34, 24 December 1878, Page 2

THE Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1878.

The revolution of the wheel of time, has brought us again to the verge of Christmas-tide, and before another publication of the Herald sees the light, there will have come and gone the day of the year which above all others is hallowed by sweet and tender associations. To it cling many of the most joyous of our recollections of childhood, whilst matuier years find in its annual festivities and reunions at least a temporary cessation from the din and worry of every day life. At this season of the year, we naturally view both the retrospect and the prospect — we pause to review the past, and strive to decipher the future. Politically, the colony is not very different at this moment to what it was last year. Certain reforms have taken place in some of our laws, but no particular event is likely to mark 1878 as an epoch year. Com-

mercially, there are signs of progress and prosperity. In the Manawatu especially, settlement has been proceeding rapidly. New settlers have arrived from different parts, and the district is at present more prosperous and promising than at any previous time. There have undoubtedly been some " politically free fights," in different parts ; but we trust they will die out, and all our representative mou unite to secure the progress of the County as a whole. For ourselves, we look upon the past with pleasure and to the future with confidence and hope. We tli auk our friends in all parts of the Manawatu, Otaki, and in Wellington, for their cordial assistance, prtronage, i an;l support. The efforts we havo ■ made to supply a loiig-fult want havo | boon appreciated, and the steady iu- ■ crease of our subscriber's list and :id- ■ vcrtising' sheet, is the bent possible ; evidence of public appreciation. Our ! expectations of support have been ! more than realised, and additional i incentive is thus given to continue ' our efforts topromolo the public good knowing that wo likewise shall i prosper in proportion. 1 During the New Year, it is proj liable many changes will take placo. ! Wo believe it will open up an era of i prosperity for the lower end of the i district. "With the probablo oxpeni dilure of a large sum of public money | in opening up the country and forniN in«.'; the railway a great improvement ■ will most assuredly tako place in i which Fox ton and the whole lowor j district s-hould undoubtedly shaio. ; Therefore, although its past lias no. ■ been so bright as wo might wish, j the future is hopefr 1 , and wo theres fore wish all oir 1 .leaders " A jMeiuvx Christmas and a Happy ! New Year."