WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2725, 31 December 1889, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Rktbotective.—Christmas has come and gone; and the end of another year is at hand, reminding even the most hardened and careless am mg us that time whether it comprises a year or our whole lives, s >on slips by, and what appeared, when we were setting out in life, full of high hopes and ambiiions, an immense period, seems when taking a retrospective view, a very small affair, and more full, lam afraid of disappointment and sorrow than anything else. In speeding the parting, and welcoming the coming year, perhaps I may be permitted (as the least of your correspondents) to figuratively take a friendly hand shake with all who have to put up with our lucubrations ; and to ask those who occasionally find fault with the different correspondents, to remember, that although your representathink this isgenerrtlly admitted),area very superior class of farms, they aro not altogether infallible, yet this is what some people seem to expect, they should be. Taking a view of the past year, our district has made suro and steady progress, farm ! which were deserted last Christmas are now occupied, and new land is being taken up by vigorous settlors. A butter factory has been established by the united action of the settlers, though it has riot, been unattended by the difficulties and anxieties, which seem to bo in-epaiable from new undertakings. Two or more flax-mills are about to start iu dnierent parts of the district, and the abundance of tlio raw material, for flax is to be found more or less throughout the Waipa, is a guarantee that this in iu-try will tie a permanent one. All this points to a mora prosperous future, and although there inaynotbein any of these industries what Gilead P. Beck would call a " pile," there will be steady and profitable employment for all classes, and settlers and business men, as well as politicians, have learnt that "steady and sure," is better iu the end than " leaps and bounds.' 1

Amusemuxts. —In the matter of amusements we are not to be left behind, the usual horse races are to bo held later on, and though wo may not have the "cream" •if tho equine world contesting on our course, there can be no question as to the Hi\i'nftstnu-'s< with which our jockeys go for the stakes. Tho annual school feast is now on tho tapis, and in this connection it is to be hoped that the subscriptions which are asked and given for tho benefit of the children, will ho devoted more to the purpose of providing amusement and prizes for tho youngsters, and less to hiring music -Mid finding refreshments for tho grown-up people, who wind up tho day with a hall in tins evening for the adults havo many opportunities of enjoying themselves during tho year, while many of the school children havo only this one.