OURSELVES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 64, 18 July 1874, Page 6

OURSELVES.

We would draw attention to a notice from the directory of the New Zealand Tablet Company, which we publish in another part of this issue. The directors have thought it advisable to republish the balance-sheet for the paat

year, which was submitted to the shareholders a few weeks since, in order that those who might not have attended the annual meeting, or seen the statement, might be made aware of the position of the Company, and the financial success which this journal has proved itself to have been during the first year of its existence. It is well known to everyone that that period is the most trying in the career of a journal. There are difficulties, discouragements, and obstacles to be encountered during that critical time, which have no existence in its more mature age. We have therefore to congratulate ourselves that notwithstanding the many disadvantages under which we have laboured at the start, the New Zealand Tablet has not only mastered the difficulties by which it was beset, but that it is now an established success, financially and otherwise. This, a reference to the balance-sheet will amply prove. But though we have been so far successful in the past, the field of enterprise has been necessarily circumscribed ; and it is with a view of remedying this defect . that the present step of the directory has been taken. It had been the original intention of the Tablet Company to have started with a capital of fifteen hundred shares of one pound each ; that intention, however, was not carried into effect, and hitherto the number of shares which have been allotted have scarcely reached one-third that number. The success which attended < the operations of the Company during the past year, with the very limited funds at their command, has justified the directors in proceeding to carry out the original design as embodied in the prospectus with regard to the amount of capital, and J with this view they have come to the determination of offering I the remainder of the unallotted shares to the Catholic public. Their object in taking this step, is to place sufficient funds at their disposal to extend the sphere of usefulness of this journal by enlarging its present size, and increasing its circulation. To do this will, of course, cause a considerable increase in the working expenses ; but we rest satisfied that, while mvo ] ving a greater outlay, it will be counterbalanced by the additional advertising space at command, outside the important advantage of allowing a considerable increase in its reading columns. We shajl thus be enabled to supply our subscribers with more news, while the rate of subscription will remain as heretofore. We have but little doubt that, with the enlargement of the Tablet, the circulation will also be considerably increased ; and, in thanking our subscribers for the generous support which we have received in the past, we feel assured that the efforts which are being made by the Company of making the Tablet worthy of the cause which it defends, and the principles which it advocates, will be ably seconded. We are aware that the Tablet has not been everything we could have wished it, but that was the effect of circumstances beyond our control. Now, however, a struggle is being made to remedy many of the short-comings in connection with its production, and it lies in the power of the Catholics of New Zealaud, by the support they will accord to the Tablet, to make it worthy of the cause of which it is the organ, the champion of their rights, and the mouthpiece of their wrongs. We need not dwell further on the subject. As a safe and remunerative investment, the balance-sheet for the past year is the best guarantee ; and, with regard to the necessity for such a' journal, there cannot be two opinions. - Experiences during the past few months has amply shown the advisability of Catholics having a medium for refuting the slanderous and unmanly attacks which have been made upon them as a body.