The Southland Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1807.

Southland Times, Issue 870, 23 December 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1807.

" Custom fi>rm9 in all ; Our thoughts, our morals, our mosi fixod belief, Are ooj'siquenccs of our place of birih. One of the peculiar characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race ia the fidelity with which old associations are cherished. There are particular seasons looked upon in the mother country as occasions for rejoicing — for the reunion of friends — for the assembling of relatives — and the observance of those social enjoyments so dear to the mind of all of us. Christmas reminds us of this. "Who does not call to mind the holly or the mistletoe, the lordly turkey or more plebeian goose ? Here, however, it is not a season of frost and snow — of ice-bo und brooks and leafless trees, but a real Bummer Christmas, that most extra ordinary sight to an Englishman. For a time we see over again the scenes that most impressed us in the past. Although far removed from home reminiscences, the colonist still clings to Christmas customs. Notwithstanding that here the 25th of December may find us under a broiling sun, the orthodox diet of roast j beef, stufied goose, and plum pudding, i 3 deemed essential to commemorate the festive occasion, and direct our thoughts to absent friends and to pleasures that are past ? It is a period of mental contemplation, healthy and refreshing. In JN"ew Zealand there is nothing to remind us of the poverty and wretchedness that exists in the old country. In the midst of rejoicings all appear happy and prosperous. Instead of hearing that the paupers of this town or that are to be regaled with a good Christmas dinner; that warm clothing will be distributed to the poor and destitute, and other acts of benevolence unselfishly performed, most announcements here have reference to yacht excursions, pic-nic parties, and the like. In short everything tends to show that however much the festivities of home may be missed, the advantages in this young country tend to compensate for all that we may have given up in order to aid in the work of civilization. In harmony with the spirit in which the above has been written we heartily wish our readers " a MEBUT CHBISTiIA.3 A2TD A HAPPY NEW TEAS."