AN ADVENTURE WITH BEES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2701, 2 November 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

AN ADVENTURE WITH BEES.

A HORSE STUNG TO DEATH. A party of beekeepers had a somewhat remarkable adventure with bees at Dipton, and, unfortunately, attended with disastrous results. Mr George Murray, a teacher at the Colliery Board schools, Diptou, with the assistance of one or two other gentleman, was preparing to carry some half-dozen hives to the fells at Waakerly. During the process of packing them in a cart the bottom fell off one of the hives, and as a natural consequence the bees came buzzing out and stung Mr Murray and his companions, as well as stinging the horse attached to the cart. The animal bolted away in fright. Hundreds of bees found their way out of the remainder of the hives, and not only stung the occupants of the cart in a dreadful manner, but the insects also fastened themselves upon a number of school children who were having a ride through the village on a haycart. Mr Murray and his companion (Mr Elliott) were left lying on the ground in an exhausted and almost unconscious state ; and the horse was so badly injured by the insects' stings that ic fell down upon the road and succumbed the same night. Mr Murray was confined to hie bed for some time. The rest appear to be very little the worse. The adventure caused a good deal of consternation in Dipton.