The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle" Helensville, Thursday, Jan. 6th THE NEW YEAR.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 6 January 1921, Page 2

The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle" Helensville, Thursday, Jan. 6th THE NEW YEAR.

AS regards the Auckland province, the year 1920 closed with profit, pleasure and plenty for the great bulk of the inhabitants. Fine weather generally prevailed for the holidays; huge crowds of people gathering in the main centre of activities—Auckland — money was plentiful and freely spent; hardly a demur was made to any price asked, the coin being handed over as though the holders were glad to rid themselves of it. Carnival week in Auckland taxed the utmost resources of shopkeepers and ac-commodation-house proprietors : to say that the thousands of people who flocked to the city were well provided for in the lodging line would be quite wrong, for despite numerous " shakesdown," inadequacy was very noticeable. Big prices were charged for beds—ss for a single one per night being quite oom-r mon. The race meeting atEllerslie was another instance of inadequacy. We venture to say that not more than half the

money which betting persons desired to put on the " tote " found its way there, notwithstanding the extensive machinery employed. Carnival week in Auckland must have proved a big boon to the city. The numerous pleasure resorts and beaches, with which this part of the country is so liberally blessed, provided splendid places for outings, more particularly for the women and children ; in this respect Auckland holds premier position in the Dominion. In fact this and its genial climate are attracting people from all quarters, with the result that the city itself is growing at a rate little dreamed of by, say " old timers."

The prospects for the coming year are certainly bright. No one can foretell the probable state of the live stock and produce markets, though present indications are that prices will remain good. The very firm position of dairying —which industry has mainly been instrumental in placing New Zealand in its present prosperous condition —is sure to continue, while wool and flax are likely to remain at least at payable prices. Timber for building purposes is getting dearer, though, of course, for that exported there is an increasing profit. Land , values are likely to approach something like their proper level ere long. Altogether the outlook for 1921 is very promising. We wish for all our readers a full measure ot prosperity.