The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Morning. Saturday, December 28, 1889. THE HOLIDAYS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 396, 28 December 1889, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Morning.

Saturday, December 28, 1889. THE HOLIDAYS.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s, Thy God’s, and truth’s.

The holidays passed off very well so far as Gisborne was concerned, and the high reputation of the community was in no way sullied by excesses such as are, in other places, sometimes indulged in during periods when there is, rightly or wrongly, considered to be occasion for less than the ordinary restraint. It is indeed highly creditable to this community when, bearing in mind the experience of other places, we note how orderly and joyously the holidays were spent. It was a rarity to observe a case of intoxication or of over-indulgence of any kind, while on every hand there were indications that the great majority of people were making the best use of the holidays. One fact is well worthy of mention. At the races there was a large attendance of Maoris, and they seemed to have a good supply of cash. They lost no opportunity of making merry and enjoying themselves, but the pleasure was all of a comparatively innocent nature. Certainly the games of chance were much patronised by the natives, but in other respects their conduct was excellent, it being quite an exceptional thing to see a Maori the worse of liquor. The natives indeed set an example of good behaviour which might with advantage be followed by some youths who on Christmas eve became more merry than they would have been had they considered the comfort of Other people; but that was rather the result of thoughtlessrfess than of any really grave propensity for mischief. Still those youths to whom reference is made are mostly beyond that age when lessons in manners are required, apd the fact that it was Christmas time in no way excused them. On the -whole we think there is good reason to feel pleased at the way in which the holidays passed off. A spirit of hearty enjoyment seemed to pervade the whole community, and no accidents or any unpleasant incidents worthy of serious attention hay? occurred to mar -the general pleasure.