MISCELLANEA.

Kumara Times, Issue 2523, 22 July 1884, Page 2

MISCELLANEA.

A most scandalous scene (says the Post) occurred in the Peatherston cemetery on Saturday afternoon last. Ihe funeral of a Mr W. Wilworth reached the cemetery about 4 o’clock, to fiud the grave but only half dug, and the sexton (James Roe) lying stupidly drunk beside it. Some of the indignant bystanders proposed to put him in the hole and cover him up, but this suggestion aroused him. The coffin had to be taken to a neighbouring cottage until people could be found to finish the grave, and then the burial service had to be proceeded with at 7 o clock, the Rev, Mr Western reading it by the light of a carriage-lamp held by one of the party. So soon as this was over, the drunken sexton wished to tight the clergyman, and had at last to be knocked down by Mr John Cox. lie was left lying on his back roaring like a bull. '

1 be cholera germ has been discovered in India by Dr. Nock. He found in all cholera patients microscopic creatures, in shape like a small ruler, and these taken into the system, are said to be the source and origin of cholera. These parasites were also found in the water which supplied a cholera-stricken district. Some of the microscopic creatures were given to a pig and the animal died of cholera in three hours. Hitherto the origin of cholera remained a mystery ; but this discovery which is of the highest importance, is thought to be quite conclusive. The Chicago Herald asserts that Dr. Steckler, of New Jersey, has inoculated successfully twelve children with the virus of scarlet fever taken from horses. To obtain satisfactory lymph* he first inoculated young colts. He believes the germ of scarlet fever to be the same as that of diptheria, and conceives that by bis discovery lie can avert both these scourges. Not one of the children inoculated, on being exposed to the diseases, took them.

The Timaru Herald says of the football team which recently visited New South Wales:—“They adopted for their war cry the striking Maori exclamation ‘Kea Kaha,’ ‘be strong!’ and the sound of these four syllables given in propnr time and unison by eighten pairs of powerful lungs was something tremendous. The New South Wales men declared it was hardly fair for the visitors to frighten them out of their wits before the game began. The other evening at the dinner given by the members of both Houses at Bellamy’s, when Sir Maurice O’Rorke had proposed the health of the guests and Webb duly responded, Warbrick arose enveloped in a veritable dogskin mat, with an ancient taiahi in Ins band, and at his signal, the whole team sprang to their feet and shouted, Kea Kaha !* The'cffect was so startling that it nearly created several vacancies in the Legislative Council!”