The Evening Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 304, 31 December 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1870.

The year 1870 lias drawn to a close, and in a few hours, with all its record of events will form another page in history. In the private life of most people it has been doubtless as eventful, relatively, as it has been in the wider sphere of politics. There are few who can look back on such a portion of time without noting important and unanticipated changes in their personal concerns, and events some joyous, some sad enough, among the occurrences of the year that has gone. And there are few who do not look forward with hope that the year on which we are about to enter will be more prosperous, more full of pleasing incidents than the past. The year now closing cannot be other than a striking one in history. In. it a war has been commenced, the most unexpected and disastrous in its results so far, to* be found in history, and the ultimate issue of which is as yet obscure as before hostilities com menccd. And it is reserved for the coming year to solve the questions which have uet-n submitted to tho arbitrament of war, and possibly to originate others even more difficult of solution. In thr great struggle which will characterise, 1870 in history, the empire oi' which we form a part has hitherto stood aloof, but not an indifferent spectator. But as we stand on the, threshold of another year, we may well ponder on the events it i.> likely destined to evolve. .From in'liea-

tions lat-.-ly come to us from the seat <>i war, it is more than probable to find Kngltwd in the micUt of the fury of buttle, nml, from our existing relations, the colonies also dragged into the trials nnd dangers that will result. From such nn involvement we must less or moiv suffer disadvantage; altkougli in more clearly defining the position which as colonies we ought to occupy in relation to the parent s!ate, ultimate ftood will doubtless result. Jt is not merely, then, in the progress of the conflict raging in lturope that the year 1871 may be eventful to us ; but it will probably give a new development and definite form to the conviction that the state of dependency and connection with Kngland should cease, and that we should prepare ourselves for the duties and the responsibilities of independence. In .our domestic history the coming year will be one of exceeding interest to the colony. The new system of colonisation will, we trust, he fairly launched, and vriihtlio progress ,oi extensive public works, and the influx of carefully selected immigrants, the new year will introduce an era of settleaicnl of population, and development ■of our resources, that will make it memorable in the history of New Zealand. The new contract for the trans-Pacific Service will introduce to us a class of steamers unknown in these seas, and in making more intimate our commercial relations with America will, we may fairly hope, contribute to the prosperity of the whole colony. Considering the attention so earnestly directed to the encouragement of our home industries, and the development of all oui- resources, we have every reason to take courage as we look into the coming year ; and while we pay to our friends and fellow citizens the usual compliments of the season, and wish them a " Happy I^cw Year," we sincerely hope that it may bo one of prosperity and progress, of peace and plenty, and happiness to all.