The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1883. THE OLD YEAR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 27, 31 December 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1883. THE OLD YEAR.

Before we again address our readers the year 1883 will have rolled away into the memories of the past, beating with it the record of good or evil that must remain indelible through eternity. It is seasons like the present that induce a retrospective contemplation of the period that has just terminated, and brought all who live to see its close another year nearer to the grave. "We have all had much to be thankf <1 for during the past year, though it has alsoj brought to many family bereavements and afflictions m some form. Many : to-night will feel the absence of those who formed part of thoir circle when; the year 1883 dawned on the world. They will experience the bitterness of grief that misses tha touch of the vanishel hand and the sound of the voice that's still. Throughout the Colony generally times have been depressed, but indications are not wanting of an ea-ly lifting of the cloud, and a return >f prosperity to all. During the past yew affairs at Home have undergone tleir full share of vicissitudes, and j events of more or le9S significance as affecting the Colonies have been placed on reord from month to month. There has boen the terrible earthquake of Sunda, the Carey tragedy and its jinate, .the -possibility- of war between France and China, with other occurrences of more or. less importance that have gone to.rtiake up the year's history. Perhaps the most important of our Colonial aflrairs has been the sitting of the Annexation Conference, which must be frauglt with great significance as regards the future of Australasia. : We have not space 1 to enter m fuller detail | into the history, of the past year, the events of which .-j . Ever drifting, drifting, drifting. On (he shifting Currents of the rettless heart; Till at length m books recorded, Ibey, like hoarded House bold words, no more depart, Another year is now about to dawn upon the world, and none may say what it will bring forth, or who shall witness its demise. Other opportunities will now be given us, though the thought must bo ever present with us that Labour with what zeal we will, Some i l»in»? still remains undone • Something uncompleted still J Waits the, rising of each sun. But the work of life will have to be done to the end, and all must take their part m the great battle-field. We hope that the new year will bring to all the ; community a full measure of health, ! j happiness, and prosperity, and m the most complete sense of the term we wi^h each' and all . . •A:' Happy New Year.