THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2176, 24 December 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1875.

Again Christmas Eve has come upon us, and again we hear the old familiar words we have heard so oft before at this season of peace and good-will, wishing us a merry time for the present and a happy time for the future. The year that has passed since last we penned our Christmas greetings, besides the ordinary ups and downs which each succeeding year must bring with it, has been fraught with i events and changes of great moment, some to the district, others to the Colony. Much in the political world that the coming events had foreshadowed has come to pass. The colony, after a hard struggle, has passed through a crisis Of events which lead us to indulge in a strong hope of better things, and we also trust that the season of depression which has marked the year since last Yulfitide has already begun to pass away, and the district, like the colony, will daily rise in wealth and prosperity. Last Christmas, at this time, it is true, as far as this district is concerned, there were matters which buoyed up all hearts with hope, hope which was never realised. Much was expected from Ohinemuri, of which but little has been accomplished; expectations were formed regarding Tairua which were almost rudely dissipated, and the unfortunate affairs connected with the Bright Smib have caused, if not actual want, at least narrowness of means to the homes of many who, at this season, were accustomed to make merry and be glad at many a Christmas gathering. Yet still, although the district has not prospered to that extent which, at the Christmas of 74, seemed not improbable, she has at any rate at the Christmas of 75 increased cause for pride, for satisfaction, and for hope. She has passed through such a period of depression, and received such heavy blows in the way of failure of expectations, stoppage of industries, and stagnation of trade as, if known with certainty beforehand as about to happen, would have caused all men to say that it would be impossible for her to survive them; yet she has survived them, and.may well feel proud that she has passed through such a season of difficulty as we hope may never be her lot to experience again. It is with satisfaction and with hope that she can believe that the worst is now over, and that the lull of; 74, succeeded by the storm of 75 being now as we hope past, brighter beams may gild the future between this Christmas and that of "/6. There is always much more satisfaction at having fought a very uphill battle sue» cessfully than in having achieved, an easy victory over a weak foe, and co we may as well point out with pride that during all the period of the difficulties of the past, our industries have not been altogether even at a stand still. It is true that the stoppage of the Bright Smile and the flooding of the Waio-Karaka district has caused a stoppage in what is the great local industry of the Thames, but we may hope that before long matters may be so arranged that work will be resumed on its old footing, and that besides the, resumption of work at those batteries which these districts supplied, the prospecting of the back districts, now being carried on, will produce results which will cause the stampers of batteries to speak forth as loudly as of old. But apart from mining pursuits it is satisfactory to be able to note the progress made by other industries, and that there is at least some progress no one who walks about our

streets can really doubt. It is then with a feeling of pride at having tided over the difficulties of the past, and a feeling of hope with respect to the prospects of tho future, that we wish our readers once more —none tho less sincerely because we use the conventional figure of speech—"A Happy Christmas." To the friends which the past year has gathered round us, or .'.jdiofe'd it may be more closely to us; to the foes which perhaps unhappily, perhaps unwittingly—we can say with truth unwillingly—we have made, to all in this district alike we say

" Our peace with these, our love with those. 1' To all, whether connected with u% so-» cially, or opposed to ua politically, to them and theirs, far and near, do we wish '• A Merry Christmas."