NOVEL SWARMING POST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3327, 30 November 1883, Page 2

NOVEL SWARMING POST.

The Mahurangi correspondent of the Auckland “ Herald" says A rather amusing incident, but one which might have turned out more serious, occurred hero in a remarkable swarm of bees being appropriated at Warksworth by the postmaster, Mr Clayton, last Wed* nesday. At noon one of the school children ran down and asked Mr Clayton if he wanted a swarm of bees. Mr Clayton, who is an amateur apiarist, in a small way, of course answered “ Yes ; where is it?” To his astonishment, the child answered “ Hero is Johnny Williams, with a swarm on him." Sure enough, there stood the boy (a lad about 14 years of age), actually covered with bees Our apiarist caaefully removed them with a soft hearth brush into a frame hive, at the same time warning the boy not to move. After the bees had all been removed he told the lad to run away, and while he (Mr Clayton) was fixing the frames the boy returned with a second instalment of the bees, which were removed as before. Then, hearing a great commotion in the school ground, Mr Clayton went there and found tho lad brushing the bees oil a post on which they had settled, and as fast as they were brushed ofl; the post, they sottiod on she boy, who appeared to enjoy the fun. The bees first settled on him in tho following manner —When the children loft school, at noon, a swarm was hovering in the school ground. The children formed a largo ring, and Johnny (from a spirit of bravado probably) stood alone in tho centre of tho ring, and tho bees, noticing the isolated object, naturally pitched upon him as a lighting place. The boy deserves great credit for his pluck. While Mr Clayton was removing the bees ho stood like a statue with arms extended, though he got several stings. Had the boy become excited, he would probably have been severely, if not dangerously hurt. People here were much amused at this little incident.