The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1883.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3884, 31 December 1883, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1883.

The year 1883, of which wo are now at the close, will be remembered more for tho disastrous events that occurred during its twelve months than for occurrences which might hand down the date as a period of prosperity. Disasters that havo appalled the world; deaths of famous men; commercial depression, such have been the chief features of the year now passing away. In recalling the names of those who have left hchind them " footprints on the sands of time" the first that comes to mind is Gambetta, who died on the first day of the year, and before the end of January Gustavo Lore's death was announced. In February Richard Wagner's life ceased, and in tho following month Prince Gortschakoff's long career terminated. William Chambers died in May, and in June Bishop Colenso was no more. In August tho Comptc de Cbambord closed his life, as did also Archbishop Vaughan of Sydney, and Saturday's cablegram brought the news of the death of Thomas Holloway, whoso public charities in his lifetime amounted to over three millions 'sterling-. Tho names of these men are known to the world, but they of course are but a few of those who, locally known and respected, havo gone to their long home. In this colony many public men have died who could ill be spared, Judge Maning amongst others, and in this town during the year we have had to chronicle and deplore the death of Mr R. Stuart, for many years the Mayor of this borough. The last half of tho year was marked by disasters. In June tho Sunderland catastrophe occurred, when two hundred children were launched into eternity. In the same month the New Zealand Shipping Company's vessel Waitara was run down in the English Channel by the ship Hurunui, when only sixteen of the passengers and crew wore saved. Next came the news of tho capsize of the ship Daphne on tho Clvdc, when there was again a terrible loss' of life. In July there was the earthquake at Ischia and 5000 lives lost. Then, in August, there was the volcanic eruption in tho Straits of Sunda, causing the death of 75,000 people. In the following month tho immigrant ship St. Leonard's, the well-known New Zealand trader, was run down. Wo have had here in Napier two boat accidents causing the loss of six promising young men, and the wreck of the schooner Transit, the latter event fortunately embracing no casualty. Lastly thero lias been the stranding of tho steamer Triumph at Auckland. Besides all those disastrous events wo havo had to record numerous cases of drowning, extensive conflagrations, and innumerable bankruptcies. At the end of the year wo can report no immediate prospect of commercial improvement. Trade is dull, money is scarce, and the London markets for colonial produce remain depressed. Eveu the frozen meat trade, from which such high expectations were entertained, appears to bo crippled through the want of a system of organisation to defeat the schemes that are indulged in to ruin it. The few gleams that have pierced the tone of general sadness throughout the past twelve months can bo easily reckoned. The establishment of direct steam communication with England is one of these. The better understanding between the two races in this Island that has been brought about by Mr Bryce's native policy is another. The late Colonial Conference was undoubtedly a step in the right direction, and if it should lead to the desired results may be considered the most important event of the year so far as concerns this part of the j world.