THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 December 1912, Page 2

THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.

IN wishing our many readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we do so, not because it is merely the custom of a wornout tradition, but in all sincerity of purpose. From time to time we may have had to mutually contend with rebuffs, and petty differences ; however, at this festive season it is right that we should forgive and forget, remembering the glorious message of old : " Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men 1 " On the other hand the associations which comprise the environment of Christmas are mixed and varied. While we, in Helensville and throughout i the district, may spend a joyous day of cheer on the near approaching twenty-fifth, there shall be many others in this world to whom Christmas will appeal as a paltry name—a plaintive memory of I childhood when at a loving mother's knee we lisped the words ' of the beautiful hymn : " See in yonder manger low ! " Then it will transpire that incidents of the past, which we thought were buried in oblivion, shall flash unbidden into our minds, and re- ; echo the chords of remembrance. To the keen observationist of hu-

manity he beholds a great drama staged on the " Boards " of reality, and before the footlights of the First Act there appears a jovial crowd of pleasure-seekers, mirthful and buoyant as, doubtless, they have every reason to be Yet, again the curtain descends to rise on the " Second." The scene is changed ! A man, grey-haired, is seated in front of a bright, log fire, and though the room is well furnished, and betokens every comfort, there is something wanting. His shaggy brows, and resolute chin, tell of a strong powerful will; but as his eyes, sunken in their sockets, glance at the Eportrait of a lovely woman —his longdead girl-wife—a scalding tear falls gently upon a withered hand. Still, who cares ? Not even the aged servant who may at the particular moment in question, knock at the door and announce that this lonely pioneer's Christmas dinner is ready. Such is the cruel irony of fate —the master passion af tragedy attired in the garment of satirism! True, very often we make or mar our own happiness ; but this does not justify the more fortunate and lucky in forgetting that Christmas should spell Good Cheer to all. Nor is it improbable that even in Helensville there may be a few to whom Yuletide carries with it little more than a sense of past memories. For our own part we adhere to the motto of the journalistic sphere: " Pro Bono Publico," endeavouring to the best of our abilities to ever give voice to the cause for good that portends to the people—the worthy residents of progressive Helensville and the settlers of this district —and, in conclusion, once again wish them a right MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.