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Evening Star, Issue 15682, 22 December 1914, Page 4

The English mail which was despatched from Dunedin via Wellington and Srm Francisco on tho 11th of November arrived in London on the 20th inst., seven days late. In order--that-the recipients of old age pensions may have their money for Christ - mas the Government have considerately given instructions that tho. pensions shall bo payablo to-morrow (December 23) instead of on January 1.

The trowel to he presented to the King by the New Zealand Government on the occasion of laving the foundation stone of the Now Zealand offices in London has been made in Dunedin by Messrs G. and T Young, whose workmen were this morning putting the finishing touches to what is a most beautiful example of art Work. The trowel is o! full size—not a toy. It is made of 18ct gold, and the greenstone handle is surmounted by ji golden crown. On the face of the trowel is placed in relief the Dominion coat-of-anns. Between fioz and 6oz of gold have been used in this worthy gift. The case has been made by Scoullar and Chisholm from a rare and very fine totara. knot. The trowel was to be ‘ packed and despatched by to-dav’s mail. If Hi# Majesty puls it amongst his other treasures at Buckingham Palace our Dominion need not fear that it will look mean. It is something to be proud of.

The tamlway authorities at Dunedin say that the public have this season begun to travel in numbers earlier than usual. From the very first issue of tho Christmastide tickets last week the passenger truffle took a pronounced spurt. So far the travelling is principally to northern stations. At hi meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Horticultural Society held hist evening (Air B. S. Irwin in the chair), various matters in connection with the recent rcso show were gone into. The sale of cut flowers and pot plants at the show realised £22 6s 7d, and when all the payments are handed in from the sale et tickets the society hope to supplement that amount by another £9, wtiich will be banded to tho Belgian fund as soon as tho amounts ore collected. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Fortuity School Band and to Mosdamcs Hamel, Trevcua, Cross, Misses Burl, Stewart, Hislop, and other willing helpers, and to Mr Solomon and other donors for their gifts of cut flowers and pot plants, the date for the carna-' tion and swecUpea show has been fixed for January 27.

The only person nominated for the extraordinary vacancy in the South Ward,.representation on the Maori Hill Council was Mr P. L. Clark (nominated by Messrs E, H. Allen and J. Moncricff). He was declared duly elected.

The plight of the saw-milling industry in New Zealand through the slump in building caused by the war was placed before the Prim© Minister to-day by a large deputation of ’leading saw-millers. Tho deputation (says a Wellington message') asked for some relief from the State in the shape of a moratorium protection and remission of rentals. . The Hon. W. F. Massey expressed his sympathy with the saw-millers. Ho pointed out that the moratorium did not apply at present to the saw-milling industry where timber was cub from private or native land. What course would bo taken would depend on the House, and when the House would meet ho could not at present say. In cases where timber was being cut from Crown lands, that was a. matter of administration, and he was quite prepared to make a recommendation to his colleagues oil that point. Instructions have been received at the Hillside Railway Workshops to make 590 iron waggons of the L type —waggons for carrying'coal or anything in bull:. This is the biggest waggon order received for many a long day. Another order is for ICO sheep -waggons. In addition the headquarters authorities have instructed the Hillside staff to turn out 10 W.G. locomotives. This is a good class of suburban engine, of tho tank typo, weighing 52 tons. Ten engines have just been completed, So that the new order conics in time to keep tho hknds fully occupied. There may be some delay, owing to the war, in getting from Home the parts of the waggons that have to he imported.

Tho official recount before Mr Widdnwson, S.M., of tbs votes cast at the Dunedin Central election took place to-day. Inquiring at 2.50, wo learned that the recount wa« net expected to ba over till about 6 o'clock.

Mr Paulin’s forecast:—Squally S.W. to N.W. winds, and cold rain and sleet showers.

“Midsummer day, and snow on Mihivvaka!” Such was the brief summing-up of the unusual weather this morning at Port Chalmers. The unprecedented severity of the weather has probably.been most keenly appreciated by the fishermen. For weeks past the high winds have made fishing a matter of much risk and little profit. Yesterday morning’s smooth aea and warm sunshine tempted the whaleboats to the fishing grounds at an earlyhour. Summer at last! said the fishermen. But the fine weather \yas shortlived. In a few hours a cold wind swirled down angrily, and tho boats struggled to regain the harbor. The weather seems intent on reproducing a Dickens’s Christmas, which, of course, is altogether unseasonable iu these parts. But, despite the weather’s waywardness, one thing remains unchilled—tho wlamth of the Christmas greeting.

Referring to" a' paragtaph appearing -in last night’s issue of the; ‘ Star ’ concerning the reduced tender received for the Otago Harbor Board’s carting, the successful tenderer, Mr M. Stevenson, states that ho was the successful tenderer last year, and his object in cutting the prices on this occasion was to, if possible,, keep his men fully employed at the present juncture. Ho states that he is not in a position to give largo sums of money to patriotic fmlds, but he considers that his action in keeping as i many men in employment as it is possible to do will materially assist the patriotic cause.

The ‘Star ’ Pocket Diary for 1915 is now being delivered' by the agents to our subscribers. ' Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.] . Speight’s ale and stout are acknowledged by the Dominion public to be the best on the market.—[Advt.j

Owing to tho congestion of telegraph traffic at this,season of the year, the public are recommended to lodge their Christmas greetings telegrams on the 23rd instant at the latest to ensure delivery on Christmas Eve. The experience of previous years shows that a very large number of such messages are left to tho last day, rendering it impossible to effect delivery in- time. Troubled with insomnia? A .glass of Watson’s No. 10 makes a splendid nightcap.— [Advt.] At a meeting of the Burns Club Committee ,held last evening arrangements were made for the anniversary gathering next month. Lovers of Burns will be pleased to hear that the speaker on that occasion will bo Mr James Craigie, M.P.

Getting married Christmas? Gel our 50page catalogue; an eye-opener; prices and styles unsurnassed. Martins, Octagon.— [Advt.] The Gore trotting meeting is to be held on Boxing Day (Saturday next). People leaving Dunedin by the first express will reach the course in time for the first race.

No lady should be without Martin’s Apiol and Steel Pills. Sold by aL chemists and stores throughout Australasia.—[Advt.]

Tho 54th annual show of the Taieri Agricultural Society will bo held at Mosgiel on January 14. The entries close on January