WELLINGTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4670, 14 June 1893, Page 1

WELLINGTON NEWS.

[peom oxm ovra cobbksponden?;*! WELLINGTON, June 1131 A CONTBADICTION. In regard to the Ekefcahnna complamtr of starvation I hare to report a decided contradiction against them. A gentleman at Pahiatua, only a few miles off, wanting fencing done, adrertieetF for ifc at 17a 93 a chain, but though he had never given more than three shillings, he did not get a single offer. E"©>is firmly impressed* that there is no starvation; on or about the* place. A DANGEROUS 3BsA CTICB. Many people are believers in cobwebs as the beßt at i anchors of blood, in case of accident. In the report of an inquest here the other day, it was stated! that the wound on the head of the deceased was covered with cobweb and bandaged. Thereupon a correspondent wrote to one of the newsr papers pointing out the danger of such a course. The deceased having, according; to the medical evidence, died of lockjaw, he wrote as follows:— "A fact stated is ' Bacteria and Their Products/ by <J. Sims Woodhead, M.D. (Edinburgh*), should be more widely known. There is a small drumstick-shaped bacillus, similar to the putrefactive bacillus deecribed by Bienstock, which, on making its way into a surgical wound, sets up a series of changes in the tissues, accompanied by the production of'" a most virulent poison, which, acting apparently on the nervous system, gives rise to reflex spasms and convulsions, and a condition known as lockjaw or tetanus is set up.. Tim organisation is found on the manure-heap, in. cultivated soil, and even in water that cornea from such soil. It is also found in the duet' of hay and straw and even in the harness and cloths used for equip, ping the horses. If water containing the organisms be used for- the -purpose of washing s contused wound, or if any of the above dirt or dust should obtain access to BDch a wound, often merely a. moat insignificant bruise, tetanusor lockjaw is setup with terrible certainty, and the patient frequently succumbs.' l T'he correspondent adds—" Some little time back I was reading an account of the death of two men from lockjaw, caused by the application of cobwebs to atop bleeding. Curiously enough one had obtained the cobweb from a stable, and the other- from a cowshed. Bearing in mind what I have quoted, it seemed to me a strong proof of: its truth, and now this Brooklyn case has brought the matter forward again so forcibly that I think it but right that everyone should bo warned against applying cobwebs to bleeding surfaces, especially if obtained from stables and each- like places where cobwebs collect dußti I will also say that it cannot be advisable to übo them where* ever they are got from because, to quote from the same work, the germs have a widespread, in fact an almost universal distribution." I think you will agree with the gentleman— he signs his name "P. Kamee, dentist,. of Waipawa "— that this information 1 requires- to be- made widely known. A BECOBDOF ACCIDENTS. The following phenomenal football record from Masterton wa» published thia morning : — " Several serious_accidentß occurred in the Star-Master ton football match, played here on* Saturday last. Edgar Holmwood had a kidney ruptured by a kick, and is in a critical condition; K. J< Malcolm injured a kneecap, and will be unable to play again this season, and Vermeil had a shoulder-blade broken." A COMPLAINT;. The following characteristic letter of complaint from Mr Travers to the Hutt County Council will amuse you. His isone of the raciest* penß among as, as many an antagonist has found out in his time :— " Paraparaumu, June 12J.— The Chairman Hutt County Council. — Dear Sir,—' Patience is a virtue,', and ' Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.' I have waited patiently for some repairs to be done to the main road in this district, and my heart is now- 6ick with hope deferred. I expect in a very short time to have to inform the Council that, in future ages, cart-horses, men, and other animals wiU befound in a fossilised state in what would appear to have been a mud canal,, as that is the only term that can be applied to the present road. However, the- matter is getting so seriouß that, unless repairs are at onco done, some bad accident will happen,for which the Council will be held responsible. Do spend JBIO at all events. I am,, dear Sir, your obedient servant, Henry H. Travers." You will be pained to hear that this very moderate request was refused,, and you wilt smile when you learn that the- mover's name was Death. The Council, I may mention by way of parenthesis,. has determined to go back to the barbarism of tollgates. AN OTAKI • NEWfiPABKB*. At Otaki there - is a flourishing little newspaper established by the enterprise Of a genial journalist: and prospector well known in Canterbury;. I* mean Mr Jacobsen, the popular editor of the Akaroct Mail, whoEC eon. is runniag>the venture on the lines of the well-kmmn AOsaroa publication. He has several ex-A&aroans among his readers.. Here is an item from his paper :-r-«" The other do®- we bad a shower of worms. It did not last long, but the ground afterwards was- covered with millions of them, averaging, about two inches in length." (Ths Press AssocavriOH.] Sir Patrick Buckley leaves for Napier^n Thursday to ?ive evidence in the CadmanKees cass.. Mr Gadmaa leaves for Napier to-morrow.; It has been. Sound that typewriting machines are Hot suitable for telegsapb. operators at receiving instruments* and thatt.the operators. ar& unable to take, down by the machines nearly so fastaa when. usiag a penoil.