"THE FEAR OF SOMETHING AFTER DEATH."

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 75, 31 March 1891, Page 2

"THE FEAR OF SOMETHING AFTER DEATH."

We are not prepared to assert that the fear of fire after death, which is so strongly displayed by oar morning contemporary, is by any means groundless. That is a theologioal question which we do not oare to discuss, and each man may decide regarn > g it aocording to his own oouscienca The qu ,• tion of tbo best means of disposing of the mortal husk, after life has departed and decomposition commenced, is one of sanitary scionoe, with which theology has really nothing to do. It ahon'd be discussed on purely hygienic and scientific principles. It has been so discussed, most exhaustively, in Europe, and the rosult is that the disposal of the body by oremation is now legal in almost every Kuropeau country. It is somewhat late in the day to re-open the disenssion at this end of the globe, and very absurd to do so on the strength of arguments as old as the controversy itself, and which have been threshed out, answered, and silenood in the most complete manner by men better qualified than any New Zealand is fortunate enough to posses', to "pronounce authoritatively on the points at issue. With a view of showing what is thought upon the subject at Home— the view taken by the well informed general public — we recently quoted paragraphs from two snoh entirely opposed journals, on most questions, as the Pall Mall Gazette and the World, Oar learned morning contemporary

turnß up its noee at loth, tue to he .id'lic 1 " 1 In '>ida, m.d rhur i' toris I\i Hi^ olii- 1 us a " pain'u " > 'i " t £i. v- • >• j un al '' w l.i.e at 'hiisau.e liiue it dtc i.h, 111 full relianCd on i's own wisdom, tic oonolubion 011 a soiei tific question announced { by Mr Yates, but arrived at by that eminent j specialist Sir Henry Thompson, to be ''abaard" To this style of argument we have nothing to say. It is useless qnoting authorities to one who knows better than any one olso, but as the publio may be misled by a toolbh assumption of wisdom, we will voiiture to refer to an article in a publication of perhap3 eqiial autbr. rity with tho New Zealand Times, in which the whole question was come time ago most thoroughly reviowed by Sir Henry Thompson. Wo ahad'.i to " The Nineteenth Century." Ho writes in defence of cremation as IoIIo.vb:— 'Instead of the old process ot putrefaction, occupying a term of several years and inevitably disseminating innumerable genus of fatal disease whioh propag-te it wherever they find an appropriate nidus — n process, moreover, involving phy-ical changes of a natnro toj repul.iivo tor the mind to dwell upon - the effect of combustion ia to resolve ttio nuts rapidly into harmless dust. It destroys all c.jrruptin^ matters, rstidering inert all tbat ia iniectious, and restores valuable elements, in Iho lorra ot gasot>, to the atmoßphoru, whoie they tit once rntcr into new combinations with healthy living organisms in obedience to the order ot .Nature. To this j.rooo-is of combustion I know now but one objection" 'lhirf objection ia tint cremation might load to undetected crime by poi-on This ho proceeds t ideal with, as he says, "seriously," after pointing out that he might start by showing how much greater i.s the danger to life arising from the present system of inter ment. The present si stum propagates the worst forms of disease. Cremation would tend to stamp them out altogether. Ho urges, therefore, tbat tha argument Lbont tho post mortom poisoning cannot apply to oaacs where death is evidently tho result of contagious or constitutional disease, con?umptiou, sma lpox, typhoid fever, dipbtheiia. ,tc. The cremation of tho bodies of those f>o dying would be an iinmem c advantage, and lend to tho ultimate stamping on r . ot such diseases a together. With regard to the poison fir/uinen', lio quotes tho aduf.e that "' prevention is better than cure," and ujntinues, "I: ought to be accepted as a principlo that for the purpoao uf ensuring the satoty of the public it ib infinitely preferable to provide a system adapted to detect an act ot poisoning be' oro burial, rather than to rely upon the slender chance that may arise hereafter. Once the victim has been consigned to the grave small hope remains that discovery will take place. It is often stated that burial ensures the conservation of ovidenco that poison has been given, but without laigc qualification tbe statement is far from true. Very soon after burial all traces of most poisons — certainly those which aro tho most potent, such as morphia, acuuito, strychnine, atropinf, pruasio acid, 40. — aro rapidly, deoomposed; or they may become associated witu now septic poifeons doveloped in tho body itself, which complieato the steps of subsequent enquiry and invalidate undeniable evidence which was present for some days alter death, and might have been obtained while the body was above ground." With reference to the metallic poisons, Sir Henry Thompson assumes that the tire would destroy traces of them, but scientific experiments since hia article was written show that this is not the case, and that atter cremation metallic poisons can still ba traoed in the ashes. After showing hoi? very infrequent the detection of poiaon by exhumation is, by the figures wo quoted from tho World yesterday, Sir Henry Thompson procoeds to show how much greater are the precautions taken in France to prevent interment while the least possible grounds ot huspicion of foul play can exist, and arguts in favour of the adoption of similar precautions in England, pointing out that they are taken before a body can be cremated at Woking. He justly ridicules the idea that cremation should bo forbidden in tho teuß of thousands of cises whero no doubt can exist as to the oause of death, and when the destruction of elements dangerous to tbe living is so desi-ablp, ' lest, pc-tchsnee, a Bolitai-y case of crimiuul poisoning whioh wo have neglected through carelessness or indifference to investigate lit n fitting time, the chance should be loi.t, if some years afterwards suspicions arise of acquiring the olten questionable ovidence which exhumation might afford." We have not Rpace hero to describe in detail tho precaution; which the distinguished scientist urges should bn taken before a dead body id disposed of in any way, and which are invariably taken prior to cremation, but if tnoh precautions wer.9 universally adopted they would undoubtedly prove a much more effaotivo duterront to poisoning than tho very remote chauce of discovery by oxhumation atter burial. In fact. Sir Henry Thompson very conclusively shows that the B>stera of disposing of the dead now in vogue offers a much greater ctninco of immunity, and c.-cups from detection, to the Becret poisoner than he could enjoy if the body of his victim were to be disposed of by cremation. The precautions invariably taken while the body is fiosh and perfect, to ascertain the onusis of death of any proposed subjeot for oremation, would act as a strong deterrent to the would be secret poisoner. Escape from detection while the proofs were freah against him would bo almost impossible.

Australian and local sporting newa will be found on our fourth page to-day. The general good behaviour of holiday makers yosterday in attested by the fact that the police did not find it necessary to look up a singlo per-on. A clean sheet was accordingly presented at the Magistrate's Court this morning. We have to thank the Government Statist for Volume 2 of the Victorian Year Book for 1889 90 As usual, it is full of admirably compiled useful information. The Wellington nnd Canterbury interproviucul c ioket teams w«re entortaiurd at luncheon by Mr. H. T\ Bell, one of the VicePresidents of tho Wellington Cricketers' Association, at his estate in Lowry Bay 3esterday. A number of other gentleman who take an interest in the game were also present The lunoheon was served in the orchard and was a most elaborate one. The health of the host was proposed by Mr Cohen, captain of tho Canterbury team, who congratulated tho Wellington Association on possessing snoh an enthusiastic VicePresido it as Mr Bell. A suitable reply was made by Mr. Bell, ami the proceedings shortly afterwards t«>rniinattd The teama were taken to and from Lowry Bay in tho yachts Maritaua, 'Ihetis, and Xarifa. Mho weather throughout tho day was fine, aud the outing was a most enjoyable one. In tlio ovening the teams met in the Post Office Hotel, at the invitations of the Cautcrbnry skipper, and a few hours were spent in a vory pleasant manner. A block of 3147 aores near Dargaville, north of Auckland, his boon purcnatcd from Mr. Mitchelson, M H.K , by Messrs J. W. Brown and C. H. Mansill, ot Wellingtin, who intend to go in for phepp farming. The block is well watered, and Iho soil good, and the cew owners Mart with a br'ght future. Mr. J. W. Brown is chief olerk in tho Stamp Office here, and is about to rotiro at his owu request, in order to enter upon pastoral pursuits. Some time ago he passed the law examination, and the knowledge which ho gained in order to qualify himsolf for tho position of a solicitor has been invaluable to him as an officer of the Stamp Department. In his official position ho has been brought into daily ocntaot with members of the legal profession and the publio generally, and by hii courteous and obliging manner ho has won the good opinion ot all. Mr. Mmsill. who has been engnged us a builder in Wellinaton for many y<*ars, is wpII known in cricket and football circles. Both he and Mr Brown for many yoais took a leading p<vrt in the recently de'unotb'tar Cricket Club, and wero s-vtral times in tho representative eleven. Until a short time ago both men were enthusiastic members of the Athletic Football Club Mi-. Mansill has already gono up to superintend operations on the land, and -Mr. Brown will leave Wellington in two or three weeks. The subscription list opened in the Evening Port pnbliahing offi.w in aid of the widow and f mily of the late Malcolm Frastr, who died from a kntipo bi c rccntly, has so far risnlted in a snm of .£3l 13i 9d being co!lectod. 'Ihia amount wa^ today handed over to Mrf . Malcolm Fraser, who desire 3to heartily think all I hose who have contributed to her assistance. An excursion to Ibo Sounds was made during the Master holida>s by a pleasure [/arty from Wellington, who chartered the steamer Murray for the purpo3e. He left here on Thursday night, and arrived at the head of the We;te»n Koach, Pelorns Sound, enrly next daj Fishing for cod was the order of tho day, and splendid sport was obta'ued A visit was afterwards paid to Mr. J. Mills' plaoe at Tahatanui, whore a concert wan given on boai-d the ve3sr-l. Ti.o whole of Mr. Mills' family were pro.-ent, and as the party comprised Messrs. W. D. Lyon, S. liobjneon, G. Robertson, and other gentlemen, whoso vooal and instrumental abilities are well known, the affair was a great «ucces?. A piano was placed in tha cabin before the vessel left Wellington, und excellent music was discoursed by Mr Kobertson aud others during the trip. Tho party also visited Mr. Masefield's stalion at Manaroa, went put to Rpngitoto for hapuka fishiag, oalled in at Havelock, passed into Endeavour Inlet, where another concert was eiven on board, and returned to Welliugton at half-piat five this m-irning. The weather was baautifnl throughout, and the excursionists, who were all of tho male sex. 21 in number, enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Mr. W. D Lyon was musical direotor, and tho general airaugomeuts in connection with the trip were in tho hands of Messrs. H. Rawson, W. Cook, A, S. Bibb, and S. Robinson, the last mentioned gentleman being chairman. The injuries sustained by John Kennedy, tin yonng man who met with an accident just after aUi;hting from a train on the Mannwatu line, are more serions than was at first supposed. His spine has been injured, and ha has been badly braised abont the body. His condition is a somewhat critical one. From an announcement in our advertising columns it will be seen that a new London fire insnrance office has entered the field in tbia colony, Messrs. Trnehridga and Reioh having been appointed agents for the Wellington provincial district for the Economic Fire Office, Limited, of London. Tho same firm has also secured tho agency of the Standard Acoidont Insurance Company, Limited, of London. They hive taken f cither offiofa accommodation at No. 6, Lambton-quay, where their sharobrokiDg and general business has heretofore been conducted, and intend to run the insurance business as a separate branoh. Tho Columbia Rink was exceedingly well patronised yesterday, particularly in the evening, when it was crowded. The management hive wisely determined to rafnso admission to any parsons found jostling or skating too fast, and this will be appreciated by the publio. The winning numbers in tha Drnids' Art Union will be found in onr advertising oolumns.

'I tacht Tscaro'urned from Port t'n'lorvo ■: , t ',i . r > a-t t i ... -•ie Sin- 1 -f* th • ■■ o mi"- ■' 'h r 1] i. ■, * 1 T' n - a\ iiifrut af :rf • ?.. •c d x ~' l fflm^ » a un the Wdi siero-s 'i he ruii-cun be acton.phehed by a yacht favoured with a good breezs in seven or eight hcurp, but it was daybreak on Saturday morning before the Isofl. dropped anchor in Port Underwood. The crew, Messrß OBborn (2). K. £>'mitb, and W M'Callum, remained there until da» break yesterday, when a start was made for home. Light wind was experienced at the outset, and the bay was not oleared unti. 10 a m. Frcra thence until arrival a good northerly breezo was encountered, and th* little eralt did tbe journey in about eight hour?. She carried all her loner canvas both going and count);*, and behaved -plendidly in a seaway. Tho weather wa« ocellent ihrousjhout, and the trip proved exceedingly pleasant. At tho Btatutorv meeting of tho Wellington and Wairarapa United District Charitible Board held to-day, there were pre sent— The Rsv. H VanStaver?n (Cnairnun) the Mayor of We'linjjton, Mes-r?. K. S. HawkiDa, F. Darby. D. Speedy, W. H. }3eetham, and F. H. Fraaer. Th? estimate. 1 ! for the ensuing year showed a total of .£7257 16=! lOd (if this was required by the Wellington Benevolent Irßtitation, .£!>00 by tho Wairarapa North Benevolent Institution, £35') for charitable expenditure in the Hutt County, and the balance by the other bodies and for the maintenance of 86 children in industrial schools, the latstnamod item alojo co-.ti»? J81630. It was reeeFsary to raise JC'od'id from the local b 'dies The levipß were fixed as follows : — Wellington City Council. JCIOJG 2i od ; Hutt County Council, £332 3* Id ; Horowhenua County Council. J6157 2^ 7d; Borough of Melrose, J3G7 13a Id ; Borough of Paton-, J678 15a 43 ; Borough of Onslow, .639 5s 7d; Borough of Lower Hutt, £7i 7s Id ; Wairarapa North tlounty Council, £185 43 4d ; Wairarapa South, £500 17* Id; Pabiatua County Council, £77 18s ; Borough of Masterton, 53 7d ; Borough of Carterton, J629 lis9d; Borough of Greytown, jB3S lls Id. This concluded the business An aooident occurred at Porirua yoslerday. A yonngr man named Otfc-« Catnpton wae engaged with others in excavating come ground at the new Lunatic Asylum when a fall of earth took pi ice, burring him almost completely, for some seconds He sustained severe bodily injuries, and wai brought into town and placed in the Hojpital last evening. To-day we learn he is in a very bad way indeed. The statutory annual meeting of the Dißttict Hospital Board was held to-day. There wore present— the Mayor of Wellington (in the chair), the Rev. H. Van Staveren, Messrs F. H. Fraser, G. M. Kebbell, D. Speedy, S. Lancaster, F. Darby, and Mr, L. W. Lovedoy, (Secretary). It was resolved that JE5250 should bo granted to the Wellington Hospital Trusteea for the entning year. Of this sum the Government pays one-half, and levies wero ordered to bo made upon the contributing bodies as follows :— Wellington City Council. -81720 4t ; Hntt County Connoil, .£350 13i ; Horowhenua County Council, .£165 16s 9d. Boroughs— Molroßo, £71 7s ; Petone, £83 2s Id ; Oaslow, £41 8s 2d ; Lower Hutt, £78 9s. The dwelling of a man named Charles Foster, situated in Tarauaki-street, was entered by a thief yesterday afternoon. Foster and his family were out for tha day, and on returning at night they found that the window of a back room, which they had loft unfastened, had beon thrown open, and that £8 in notes had been taken from a d' awer in ono of tho bedrooms. There is 1:0 clue to tho identity of tho housebreaker. When the oharitable aid expenditure was being 0 msidered to-day by tho United Diatriot Board, Mr. Hawkins asked whether thero was not a prospecc of tho oxpondituro of the Bencvoltnt Institution being cut down — Wer.* not tho tiraos improvi; g ? The Rev. H. Van Staveren, as ( hairman of the Society, said it was true that things wero improving, but as they got better so also did poverty increase. The fact was that as Wellington had got a name for boirg prosperous, people wero coming to it from all parts of the colony. Mr. Fraaer said there was 110 doubt that men out of w >rk were finding their way to Wellington Mr. Van Stave: en — They're coming 1 in droves. I've gone rouud town looking for tenements or lodginghouses for people, and there is hardly a h>mee to bo got in Welliugton As the pi mo goes ahead Ihofo people wi.U steadily oomo in. They stay on our booWfor two or thi ea weeks, and as soon as they are gone otheia tike thoir piKces On reviewing the scheriulo3 it was remarked as a matter of sutisfaction that the esUmiteßol local lodies as ti their ehjntable aid expenditure for the ensuing year came to £300 less than those of last ytar. At a meeting of tho Sydney Trades and Labour Council on the 19th instant, a letter was read from Mr D. P. Fisher, seoretary of the Federated 'irados Union Council, Wellington, suggesting that a publio send off be given to Sir Georue Grey on strictly Union lin«s, in acknowledgment of his many services to democracy and his auxiety to promote the welfare of tho people. The matter was referred to the t'xeoutive. The first meet of the "United Hunt" taken place next Saturday afternoon at Kilbirnio, at 3 o'clock. Tho hounds will throw off half an hour later on Mr. Crawford's property, Miramar, where an excellent run has been laid off, extending over about five miles of fair hunting country, and comorising come 35 or 40 post and rails and other jumps A splendid view can be obtained by pedestrians and others desirous of witnessing the run frem Windmill Hill, where tho same natural grand stand that was co advantageously occupied last year on a similar occasion will afford an uninterrupted view of the run from beginning to end. Referring to the case of Penglase v. the Bank of New Zealand, a Melbourne action, in whioh judgment was given for plaintiff for £10,000 damages, to be reduced to one shilling on the Bank handing over certain deeds, application to Btay exocution was made pending an appeal It was agreed that the Bauk should pay 6 per cent, interest on the £10,000 monthly, and that exeontion should be stayed. A meeting of the Wellington Distriot Labour Union is to bo held in the Trades Hall to-monow evening, at 8 o'clock, as advertised. Francis Mdey 3c Co. will cell to-morrow, furniture, See. Freeman R. Jackson & Co. will sell to-morrow, at JohnsonviUe. stock, tier. Cuningliam, Badbam & Co. will spH to-morrow, at M'Coinmck's Hotel, Lower Hutt, stock, &c. DB.KB9ES — Wohavenowopenedoutour two firßt > shipments of autumn and winter dross fabrios, which have pome to us recently by thi sUmmera Aorangi and Arawa Wo may conßuientioasly affirm that no fii,er, more varied, or well-Belectod goods have ever previously parsed the portals of Te Aro House. Drbssls- In the limited spaoo at our command, thero is not room to give anything liko an adequate description of our new autumn dress goods, but it ia sufficient to aay that they are of excellent value, of snperior finish, well assorted in styles and oolouringa, well adapted to meet the tastes of our numerous lady patrons. We solicit an early inepeotion of these, at Te Aro House. Bbes3MA«:ino — Our two large and commodious dressmaking rooms aro still under the same efficient management, and can guarantee in this season, as in all past seasons instant attention, prompt execution, faultless finish, and perfect fit. Ladies who want thc-ir dresses early should at onoe place their orders at Te Aro House. Jackets, Mantles and Ulsters— We hava opened out a very fine assortment of those, in all fashionable makes, styles, colours, shapes, and sizes. Our mantleroom is now filled with all the latest novelties, snoh di should induce an early visit to Te Aro Housa. — Advt. Tub shooting season is near, and sportsmen will roquire guns, tiflea, powder, sh t, ca-tridges, Ac. Tho biist place in Wellington ia Messrs. Wilkins & Field, Mannersstreet, who have on hand or to arrive immediately the largest, best, and most varied stock of everything necessary at the lowest possible prices. — Advt. 'liieke can be no doubt that tho best display of ironmongery in Wellington is to bo seen at Messrs. Wilkins & Fiold, Mannersstreet Amongst tbo numerous articles juat arrived is a beautiful set of fireplace brasses, comprising ourb, Breirom, fire dogs, stop, and coal vas6, all to match, also a large varioty of black and brass fenders, afternoon spirit lamps, &s , &o — Advt. -