The Feilding Star, Oraua & Kiwitea Counteis Gazette. Published Daily. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1895. CHRISTMAS, 1895.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 150, 24 December 1895, Page 2

The Feilding Star, Oraua & Kiwitea Counteis Gazette. Published Daily. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1895. CHRISTMAS, 1895.

This is a season when one and all endeavour to "put on a cheerful countenance," and although they may look back on the past with regret, yet a they may look to the future without fear. During the year now rapidly „ nearing its end the colony has passed through a crisis unparalleled in its - history, but which also indicates the indomitable energy of the people and their wonderful recuperative powera when excited into activity by the promptings of necessity. In every ' province we hear of good crops, heavy i, fleeces, new developements of goldfields .) and the existence of that hopeful feel- " which always precedes a period ol commercial activity. Thp advance in the prices of our staple products has, doubtless, done much to create a feelh ing of elevation and cheerfulness tc „ wbicb people laboring under the s_d f . burden of f the depression " had long been strangers. The long spell of bad weather which retarded shearing operations may be now looked gpo? /w . ended, and consequently ev^ry <J?uji large quantities of wool are being brought into town for transit tp Wei f, lington. $e .''.iiiave reason to believe

that the quantity sent from Peilding this season will far surpass that of any other, and the quality of the wool is of • a higher standard of value from the care that has been given to improvement in the breed of sheep. Settlement in the country districts has gone on with great rapidity, and where but a few months ago there existed only the dense forest, may now be seen smiling homesteads, showing every sign of substantial prosperity — the result of the industry of the settlers and the fecundity of the soil. Every dwellinghouse is occupied, new private houses are continually in course of erection, which as a rule are substantial, and with some claims to architectural beauty. In fine, everything points to the existence of material prosperity, and perfect confidence in the future of the town and district. From the foregoing, we honestly think that our friends and readers are certain to have what we cordially wish them A. Merry Christmas.