Some Worse Things

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2, 12 January 1905, Page 18

Some Worse Things

Adversity has its comforts ; and grief, according to Shakespeare, has a crown of consolation, The recent heat-wave and bush-fires in Australia were bad enough, in all reason. But the abyss of misery in which they plmngefl thousands of haples-s people might have called tO,t 0 , still deeper abysses. There were at least plenty of tanks and water-holes' for the fire-hunted* 4?o betake themselves to for refuge in a moment of extremity." Ajnd at the'dlote, down came the btesaed tain witbj a subtropical patter that must have, been as welcome

as the d,ay of peace to the war-shattered population of Port Arthur. Just ten years ago Jeremiah McAuliSe, the discoverer of Kanowna, in Western Australia, arrived at Kurnalpi after a long a^nd heart-breaking journey over scorched sandy plains where not a drop of water could be procured. He aud his horses were at death's door— perishing of heat and thirst. McAuliffe led his death's-head team to a condenser anld treated them to just as much water as would save their lives. He p,aid the price previously stipulated and took a leteipt. It, ran as follows. . 'To one drink for 8 horses and a foal, £15 11s.' There are worse things in Australia than grass-fires.