A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 105, 24 December 1931, Page 4

A MERRY CHRISTMAS

This morning, on the Eve of Christmas, we have a twofold message to deliver. On behalf of the citizens of Rotorua it is our very pleasant privilege to offer to their visitors the warmest Christmas greetings. This year Rotorua has issued a special invitation to the world and his wife, and his sons and his daughters, to be present at a double function of some importance, namely the celebrations connected with the inauguration of the reign of King Carnival and the execution of that scoundrel General de Pression. At the close of a difficult year such as 1931 has been, this invitation has been issued, not in a spirit of thoughtless levity, but with a genuine desire to help blow away the clouds and prepare for the brighter dawn which lies not far away. Rotorua therefore says to her visitors: We are delighted that you have accepted our invitation. We asked you because we believed we could make you happy. Now that you are here we ask but one thing more of you — that you cast4out of your minds all' dull things; all fretful and depressing things and join with us in frank surrendel" to the spirit of Carnival. We have opened our doors. Enter and make yourselves at home. The freedom of Rotorua is yours on the one condition that you use it to make merry. One word of warning must, however, be issued. When, at 10 o'clock this evening his Majesty King Carnival arrives he will be accompanied, not only by his merry court, but also by secret police of the dread judge Mephistopheles. These will mingle with the crowds and if any are found wearing long faces or looking upon the world with dull eyes, they will be in grave danger of being hailed before the Mephistophelian Court on Boxing Day on the capital charge of Lese Majeste. We do not believe that there is any need for the warning, but Rotorua is determined that if any of her visitors commit a breach of the only law in the King's criminal code, they shall not do so inignorance of the f earf ul penalty. That is the first part of our message. We have also a message of our own. To all our friends and readers, past, present and future, we sincerely wish a right Merry Christmas. With the Persian sage who condemns the common weakness of fretting about unborn to-morrows and dead yesterdays, we heartily agree. Times have been difficult, but the silver lining begins to shine through the murk, and we suggest that all residents and visitors alike, privately make the publie execution which is to be the climax of the week of carnival a symbol of their attitude in the coming year. Let us resolve that for us at any rate, depression is dead, hurried to its grave unmourned at the dawn of a new and brighter day. Rotorua and the district of which it is the centre are unquestionably on the threshold of an era of progress greater than any they have yet seen. Nbthing can prevent it. Nothing can seriously delay it if we all determine to make the most of the opportunities which are knocking at our doors. Let us therefore make this Christmas the merriest we have ever had, both outwardly and inwardly. • '