The Hastings Standard Published Daily FRIDAY, DEC. 31, 1897. THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.

Hastings Standard, Issue 514, 31 December 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily

FRIDAY, DEC. 31, 1897. THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.

For llie cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

It is now a custom iviih the Press throughout New Zealand, and, indeed, throughout the world, to devote an article on New Year's Eve to giving a retrospect of the chief events that have occurred during the year, both local and general. The Standard this year desires to be out of the fashion. It has heard about the gorgeous Jubilee procession, the brilliant pageant, the crowds, the cheering, the enthusiasm. It has heard of wars and rumours of wars, of deaths of notable personages, of fires and pestilences. Its readers have heard of these things also. Consequently the Standard is not going to worry them with a dreary recapitulation of all that has happened. Nor is it going to prognosticate what is about to happen. One thing is universally admitted. The past year has added pages to the history of the world. It has revealed acts of heroism, deeds of valour and works of great magnitude. In New Zealand—God's own country —there has been little to record, excepting, perhaps, disaster. TLi-i is better left unrecorded, better forgotten. Coming to our own township we can see many events which arouse our sympathy and occasion pain. The year has'been one of adversity. Many old faces are missing—some for ever, some for a time. The effects of the disastrous winter floods are still felt in the town. Tradesmen who hoped for a prosperous year have had their hopes only partially realised. But still there is no room, and no reason to complain. The town is steadily advancing. Hastings is destined to bacome an important centre. It has the country ; it has the people ; it has the energy amongst its inhabitants. The past year may not have reached our anticipations. Why should not the coming year '? All that is wanted is unanimity of purpose, a little selfsacrifice, and plenty of courage. These will overcome all obstacles. With them we need not fear, publicly or privately. And believing that all the elements of success are here, we have no compunction in wishing our readers what we hope they will enjoy,

A Happy and Prosperous New Year