J.D.K.Z. IN A COFFIN.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1167, 14 April 1874, Page 3

J.D.K.Z. IN A COFFIN.

A friend from the country has supplied " A ttictis," of the Melbourne Leader, with the following : —ln one of the new townships in the North-eastern -district, a holy Boman had to be buried some years ago in unconsecrated ground. A short time since a cemetery was proclaimed, and the family resolved on having the poor fellow's remains decently put in holy soil. An empty gin case was big enough to hold his bones, and being carefully collected, they were put in this, fastened down, brought to the widow's house, reverently' put into a full-sized coffin, and then, followed by the friends of the family within a radius of ten miles, interred with all the rites of the church. The mourners returned to the widow's house to spend a quiet night in drinking to the memory of the dear departed. A case of square gin had been specially purchased for the entertainment of the funeral party, but when opened the horror of the thirsty and expectant friends must be imagined when it was found that the wrong case had been buried ! Twelve good bottles of gin had been planted eight feet under the ground, amidst Ihe tears and regrets of those who little knew the heavy loss they were inflicting on themselves when they helped to shovel the earth on top of them, and a case of dry bones was the only refreshment the family of the departed free selector had to offer his old friends. The waking was one of the soberest and saddest on record.