THE Wairarapa Mercury. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1867.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 52, 30 December 1867, Page 2

THE Wairarapa Mercury. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1867.

TOWN EDITION

To-day we lay before our readers the fifty second number of the “Wairarapa Mercury.” Our frail barque which we launched with diffidence upon the literary sea has now weathered the buffets of a twelvemonths storms, and it is therefore with the greater confidence now that we find our vessel has been pronounced seaworthy by her supporters that we look forward to the struggles and tempests in store for us in the future. When this paper was started, it was, as a speculation even—condemned by many and approved by few. We had however so much confidence in the growing riches and increasing population of our Valley of the Wairarapa that we determined to make the venture; the results have proved eminently satisfactory and we cannot now neglect to thank the many who have kindly supported us. During our short career we hope we have made many friends; we know we have made few or no enemies. Wo shall continue to act up to our principle of looking to and jealously guarding the interests of the district and work for The friend that lacks assistance For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance And the good that we can do.

While we may have many, many sorrows in the past year to look* back to with pain, may wo not hope that the nnhorn year that is so soon to dawn upon us may have some joys entered on the turned leaves of the books of time,” to compensate for the pains of the past. Let us hope so, and let us also hope that the progress of this our adopted country may continueandincreaseinlßCß. Fortho past year we cannot but congratulate our settlers on the many advantages which have accrued to them and the improvements which have taken place. Their increase in population, wealth, prosperity and education. One of the most important points gained during the past year has been the obtaining, at least, a portion of the wished-for “ Local selfgovernment” by the establishment of Road Boards. The idea of such being practicable was scouted at this time last year, but the success which has attended them is self-evident. Every township has now its local hoard, which body watches the interests and progress of its district, and, we must say that we derive immense pleasure and satisfaction at thefeeling thatwe have been instrumental as far as lay in our power,in accomplishing this desirable result. We have not in the past year been fortunate in all we had hoped to bring about, hut in what we have failed, or partially failed, we look to the New Year to complete or advance. Our railway project is still in its infancy hut although the firstsod has not been turned, yet many important steps have been taken towards i.s advancement; we have obtained the interest and sympathy of men of standing and capaital, men, whan we i feel sure, having onoe pledged themselves to support us will be deterred by no paltiy difficulties. “Justice to the Wairanpa, ’ that cry which has so . oiten been dinned in the unheeding j ears of the Provincial Government has yet to he rendered—we look to our representative men to obtain this for us, and we hope than none but those who pledge themselves to urge that prayer, until our suit be granted may be sent as the men of the district to our Council or

Parliament. At our startingwe strongly urged tlie desirability of forming a monthly market, showing, as we did, that the one at the Hutt did net, in any way, met our requirements —we have every hope that the coming year will see our wishes carried out. 'The formation of Road Boards, to which we have already alluded, is a great step in our favor, but we require more—we want true local self-government—where interests and questions affecting districts or District Boards, are not interfered with by a meddling government, which puts us to unnecessary expense, and dictates to us on matters of purely local interests. We trust we may not be charged with egotism if ws conclude with a word for ourselves. Our experience of the past year, and the increasing population of the district, led us, at one time, to think of the desirability of bringing out the “ Mercury ” as a bi-weekly paper, and we accordingly prepared ourselves to do so, if necessary. We have considered the matter carefully, and have come to the decision that at present it is' not either necessary or desirable, and we feel certain that our views will be supported by our numerous subscribers. We shall only be too happy, when the time arrives, to give our readers a biweekly or even a tri-weekly paper when they see that our doing so will better consult their interests and convenience. In the’ meantime we leave ourselves in their hands, feeling sure that the same support that we have endeavored to secure in the past will be accorded to us, if we merit it, for the future. We shall spare neither trouble nor expense to let our readers have the latest information; to attend to the interests and wants of thejdistrictand to discuss all questions free from party bias or self-interest. We have every hope and confidence in the future, and again thanking our friends and supporters for their kindness in the time past, and their promises and good wishes for the future, we conclude by giving them in anticipation A Happy New Yeah.