PERSONAL ITEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10328, 31 December 1896, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEM.

Mr. HonelHeke, M.H.R., is at present in town. Mr. James Striated has been reelected chairman of the Wo-tport Harbour Board. Captiin Babot, marine superintendent for Shaw, Saviil, and Co., in the North Island, armed from Wellington yesterday by the Mabinapua. The Hon. T. Thompson was again in attendance at the Government Buildings yesterday. The business transacted was of a departmental character. Mr. Matthews, private secretary to the Hon. T. Thompson, arrived from Wellington yesterday. He resumes his duties after a short holiday during the Christmas season. Mrs. Cock-, wife of Mr. J, Cock?, Superintendent, L igineer of the Huddart-Parker Company, died at Melbourne yesterday. The Company's flag at Messrs. L. 1). Nathan and Go's., the local agents, was at half-mast during the day. The fortunate winner of tho second prize (£1350) in Tattersall's Consultation on the Sydney Summer Cup is Mr. Von Stunner (not Mr. Turner as stated in the cable message), of the Railway Department at Newmarket. Mr. Von Stunner is a son of a well-known Hamilton resident. The retirement of Captain Forster from the position of chief clerk of the Magistrate's Court at Dunedin was purely voluntary. For some considerable time past his eyesight has been very bad, and on medical advice he is retiring from a position which he has filled in a very satisfactory manner. MISSING FRIENDS. The following inquiries for missing friends are from Lloyds Weekly of November 22:-

Edward Carton left Boston, Lines., about 1860 with his wife (Harriet maiden name) fur Wellington, New Zealand; was last heard of at Melbourne. Younger brother (R.S.G.) asks. Thomas Benjamin Graves left Millwall lor New Zealand 18 years ago, and has not been heard of since. Step-brother (Henry Charles Alcock) inquires. (Mother and father are dead). William Thomas Wilson left Victoria iocks in January, 188G; last hoard of in uippsland, New Zealand. Mother asks. Joseph Bassindale left Conisbrough »bout IS years ago; last heard of in the Yarrowtier Plains, New Zealand. Sons and daughter ask. In North-western ladia the planting of osiers has lately been carried out om a large scale, mainly for the purpose of assisting to stamp out malaria in a notoriously unhealthy valley covered with stagnant pools. In London, the Millwall Dock Company, on the suggestion of Dr. Alexander, the district medical officer, have recently planted a portion of a large mud heap, composed of river dredgings, with willows. Six thousand plants, suitable for coarse basket work, and 4000 of another species for finer work, have been planted. The experiment has proved successful, especially from a public health point of view. A striking novelty from Japan is one of the " dogwoods" (Cornus kousa), This plant is nearly allied to the Indian strawberry tree (Benthimia fragifera), a plant which does well about Melbourne. Messrs. Veitch and Son have recently llowored thiscornus. The flowers are borne on long, slender, stiff stalks, from the very tips of the shoots; they are inconspicuous themselves, but the beads are surrounded by four large ovatoacuminate white bracts. The appearance is that of so many white stars projecting at loose intervals beyond the foliage, or like banners at the end of long poles. Tho fiower is characteristically Japanese. On the subject of "Sylviculture," a writer in Blackwood, who advocates the planting of trees with a view to reducing the eighteen millions which England at present pays to other countries for timber, and the consequent advantage of keeping the money at home, reminds one of the law on the subject of planting treiss in Norway. In the northern climo timber is a necessity, for coal is a luxury, and to ensure a good supply the law requires thai every person who cuts down a tree must plant another. The samo law prevails in many parts of Germany; and some few years ago some bon. member introduced a Bill into the .House of Commons with the same object.