ADVENTURE AND ACHIEVEMENT

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 204, 23 December 1955, Page 4

ADVENTURE AND ACHIEVEMENT

(,Note: — At the request of the Taupo Times, Mr C. J. McKinnon, who was its foundation editor, has written the following appreciation of the progress of Taupo, and of its newspaper, which will complete four years of publication with its issue of January 13. — Editor.) The inaugural issue of the Taupo Times on January 16, 1952 — Vol. 1, No. 1 — marked the beginning of an adventure into ths unknown. Every adventure in life contains within it an element of risk. From the beginning of time people have risked their lives, their fortunes, their belongings, their reputations, in pursuit of ideals or objectives. Without the spirit of adventure there would be no progress. The world would be in a state of stagnation. Progress represents achievement in adventure. Risks have been faced and overcome. The measure of success may be small or great, but if it marks an advance the adventure has been worth while, and the way lies open for achievement to be expanded. This has been the record of the Taupo Times, and correspondingly of the community it has aimed to serve. When the Times was launched the Taupo Country, and the town of Taupo, were awakening from a long period of drowsy remoteness from x the outer world. Within recent memory the destinies of the community were presided over by a Domain Board. Then came a Road Board, then a Town Board, and finally was achieved the dignity of a fully-fledged Borough, with Mayor and Council, and the increasing responsibilities of rates and loan commitments inseparable from the mounting demands of development. The rate of progress in town and district has been an amazing experience for people revisiting Taupo, after a comparatively brief period of absence, and beholding the changes in the landscape resulting from building activities and the development of business and residential areas. With this remarkable development the Taupo Times has been fortunate to have been associated. It has been the district's press representative, and in its columns the progress of the community has been reflected. In these respects it may fairly claim to have achieved its aim, which was to provide Taupo with x a reliable source of local news and a forum for the expression of local opinions and legitimate grievances. The reception accorded the young journal by a community which, up till then, had been living in an atmosphere oi gossip and rumour, was gratifying and encouraging. The paper's progress has marched with the progress oi its community. Its promoters had faith in the future of the Taupo Country and of the town of Taupo. They may claim today that the Times has honestly and fairly earned the confidence of its readers and advertisers as a journal devoted to their interests and welfare, and may justifiably look forward to a period of progressive expansion in their future service to the community. In conclusion the Times extends to all its readers and business clients the best wishesv^r: A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A IIAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.