The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, DEC. 24, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3199, 24 December 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, DEC. 24, 1892.

The season has again come round when it becomes our duty and our pleasure to lay aside the consideration of matters which are calculated to cause anxiety to ourselves and our readers and join with them in anticipations of the enjoyments which are incidental to our celebration of the natal day of the Christian

era. We have inherited from our ancestors many precedents for our guidance as to the outward forms and ceremonies proper to the season, and we who are living under different climatic conditions are in the habit of following them as nearly as our altered circumstances will allow. Families which have been separated during the past year make every effort to assemble around the parent board. The incidents of childhood are recalled and discussed, more particularly those which have left pleasurable recollections still impressed upon the mind. Those calculated to bring to the memory mental wounds which time has healed, are avoided by common consent. It is recognised as a time for rejoicing and for renewing the bondß of friendship and love which may have become somewhat weak owing to the lapse of time and the anxieties of life experienced siace the last assembly of the family. The year which is about to close has been for the country settlers generally more prosperous

than they have experienced for a lengthy period. The cankering thought that the oxertions of the twelve months have not placed them in a better position than they found themselves at the beginning will have been removed from many minds and the enjoyment of their owners proportionally increased. There are perhaps no incidents in a man's life which afford hint such genuine pleasure as shaking hands with those with whom he may have quarrelled, this is the season we shall be told from pulpits peculiarly fitted for the healing of differences and the renewal of frie 'dships. It is no part of our duty to impress this fact on the grounds of forgiveness being one of the Divine precepts, but it is our unquestioned duty to guide and promote the social welfare of the community, and there is nothing so calculated to injure it as the quarrels of those who should be united to promote the common good. To honestly differ in opinions is justifiable, but to quarrel because of those opinions is a weakness and injurious to Society, f,et all, therefore, who are estranged shake hands and bury the hatchet. For our part, during the past year it is possible in the pursuance of our duties we may have given apparent cause of quarrel to some, if so, we extend to them the hand of friendship, and most sincerely wish them and all our readers A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.