Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 24, 1896. Christmas.

Manawatu Herald, 24 December 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 24, 1896. Christmas.

Christmas at midsummer appears always odd to those who have been associated with .the- merry time in European countries at this season. Take up any of t_\e Christmas numbers of the illustrated English papers and there you will see the ways of our fathers' rn tht dear 'Home land, a'ways " Home " to those who have left it, "even ~to better themselves, and all have not' done even that. There seasonable weather mean's frost aod ice and a good depth of snow," it means sliding and snowballing for tbe boys, and skating and dancing in the evening for tbe girls, the cold makes exercise necessary and pleasant, and the fan and food provided is in keeping with the weather. It is jolly even after a lapse of many ycai's to read —

" Heap on more wood — the wind is chill ; But let it whistle as it will. We'll keep oar Christmas merry still." and calls to mind tbe happy family reunions, and the gatherings round tbe fire. To tho?e who have been content to take the old Homeland as it is, without wandering the world around in a arch of a better syo , we take tbis opportunity of wafting, with the best of kindly wishes, the season's greetings, but even while tbis particaiar season more forcibly brings before one the sadness of the severance of. family relationship, we are bound to admit that taking the year through atid the pecuniary position of partiea, this glorious colony of New Zealand is the preferable place, We take our pleasures differently, in keeping with our climate, but we cherish still the performance of those kindly acts of christian charity wbich is more openly practised i.v the Old Land at Christmas. Oar settlers are never hard-hearted, a cfcfee of real distress is no sooner known than relieved, at whatever season, so we feel assured that before the cnorrow comes any cases needing timely help and comfort will have bad attention before these lines are read. Having romoved all obstacles to our enjoyment lot us rejoice and be glad, both for the reason of the Christian celebration, and the holiday we get, as we are told — " A Christmas gamble oft would cheer A poor man's heart through half the year." and so we, trusting ifc may be so, wi3b all our readers A Merry Ohiust&u - and a Happy New Yeab.