PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 291, 1 May 1913, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Sir James Carroll is recovering from his recent dangerous illness. Mr. George Smith.* C.M..G., Colonial Secretary for Mauritius, has been appointed Governor of Xyasaland.

Mr. Geo. Fox is leaving to-day for Auckland, en route to England, where he expects to stay till the end of th« year.

The Duchess of Connaught had a severe operation, and is as well as can be expected. The operation was rendered necessary owing to widespread inflammatory adhesions. It is officially stated, says a, London cablegram, tlwit considering the gravity of the operation on the Duchess of Connaught ,her condition is satisfactory. Per temperature is normal. The King visited the Duke to inquire after her ' health.

The members of the Royal Commis' sion on Forestry, who have been visiting New Plymouth, leave by this morning's train for Wellington. It is probable an extension of time will be applied for to enable the Commission to complete its work, which has proved greater than was anticipated. . -

Admiral Sir Charles Hotham, the senior Admiral of the fleet, has retired at the age of 70 years. Admiral Hotham was in New Zealand during the Maori war, and was wounded in one of the nssaults on the redoubt at Rangiriri. He was promoted for his services, and received the New Zealand medal. He was flag captain on the Alexandra at* the bombardment of Alexandria, and held several posts as Commander-in-Chief.

Another long letter frpm Professor Ernest Haeckel, the famous biologist, of Jena University, Germany, has been received by Mr. G. A. Rawson, of Auckland. The letter, which is written in English, is dated March 3, and in it Professor Haeckel expresses his thanks for congratulations sent to him by Mr. Rawson for his seventy-ninth birthday, on February 16. "My health is not good," Professor Haeckel wrote, "and I suppose that the now begun eightieth year will be the last in my long life." Accompanying the letter was a parcel containing three or four pamphlets and booklets, each inscribed to Mr. Rawson in Dr. Haeckel's own handwriting, and bearing his signature. Dr. Haeckel also sent two parcels of radiolarian ooze, dredged from the depths of the Pacific by the Challenger expedition of 187(1; Professor. Haeckel is the greatest living authority on the radiolaria, wonderful microscopic marine organisms on which he published a monumental Teport after devoting ten years to the classification of the thousands of specimens secured by the Challenger expedition.