Post by NZBC on Jul 15, 2012 15:26:15 GMT 12
A Chinaman poisoned himself a few days since in Otago. After the inquest on the body a curious request was preferred to the police by several of the deceased's countrymen. They asked that they might be allowed to watch the body for seven days, ob they allege that the cause of'death being opium, they may succeed in restoring their friend to life within that period. This practice of watching the bodies of persons killed by opium, they say prevails in China, but whether they know of instances of successful restoration to life we have not heard. The authorities raised no objection to the Chinamen carrying out this curious custom. The following additional particulars are contained in the Otago Guardian:—The Chinaman in question had partaken of a mixture of opium and water, and for this reason it was thought possible that he might be restored to life. Tho proper remedy to administer in such cases is a dose or serios of doses of duck's blood and this appears to havo been done in tho present instance to tho unfortunato Mow Tai, but without avail. So his friends at laßt gave it up for a bad job, and yesterday decided to bury him. Tho funeral cortege consisted of a hearse and mourning coach and two of tho town buggies—tho three latter being filled with the friends of the deceased, and tho hearse containing the coffin, on which was a plate setting forth his ago, his country, and the period of his death. An express had gone on in advance containing the deceased's clothes, bedding, &c., also a number of articles used in celebrating tho Chinese fuuoral rites; likewise a roast duck and Join of salt pork together with tea, brandy, and other refreshments thpt, according to Chineso notions, are »ood for the souls of the departed. Tho funeral took place in" the Southern Cometery. Arrived at the graveyard, the hearse was
stopped, and the coffin borne to the grave by several of the deceased's comrades. It was at once lowered down without- any "further ceremony. The ropes having "been raised, the Chinamen proceeded to throw in their white hut-bands on top of the coffin, after which tho express cart was drawn up, and the departed's clothes, in the shape of his boots, pants, socks, and other aids to personal adornment, were heft" down upon the coffin. His sheets and blankets—which would have been tbe better for a wash—followed, and then came his bed itself, and a number o." .pther artioles, sufficient to half fill up the grave, and give joy to the departed on a cold night, when bed-clothing shall be at a premium. The deceased's countrymen then pas Bed the head of the grave one by one, and made their salaams, after which it was filled up. A bonfire, in which was much incense, was made on one part of the grave. On the other a clean mat was spread, and upon this was arranged the provender wc have before referred to. Some half a dozen or so of small Chinese cups were filled with an infusion of
the very beat Chinese tea, while smaller-cups still were filled with a lighter-looking liquid, which we heard on very good authority was pale brandy. The Chinamen again passed round, and each threw tea to his departed brother, and afterwards brandy. After about half-an-hour had been spent in this way, a general division of the cups, saucers, incense, wax candleß, and other things made use of in the ceremony were indiscriminately distributed over the grave, and nearly every person succeeded in carrying off a relic of the Chinese funeral. The whole thing bore tho appearance of a farce, and should hardly be toleratod in the centre of a burying-ground where Christians lie. New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3770, 11 December 1873, Page 2
stopped, and the coffin borne to the grave by several of the deceased's comrades. It was at once lowered down without- any "further ceremony. The ropes having "been raised, the Chinamen proceeded to throw in their white hut-bands on top of the coffin, after which tho express cart was drawn up, and the departed's clothes, in the shape of his boots, pants, socks, and other aids to personal adornment, were heft" down upon the coffin. His sheets and blankets—which would have been tbe better for a wash—followed, and then came his bed itself, and a number o." .pther artioles, sufficient to half fill up the grave, and give joy to the departed on a cold night, when bed-clothing shall be at a premium. The deceased's countrymen then pas Bed the head of the grave one by one, and made their salaams, after which it was filled up. A bonfire, in which was much incense, was made on one part of the grave. On the other a clean mat was spread, and upon this was arranged the provender wc have before referred to. Some half a dozen or so of small Chinese cups were filled with an infusion of
the very beat Chinese tea, while smaller-cups still were filled with a lighter-looking liquid, which we heard on very good authority was pale brandy. The Chinamen again passed round, and each threw tea to his departed brother, and afterwards brandy. After about half-an-hour had been spent in this way, a general division of the cups, saucers, incense, wax candleß, and other things made use of in the ceremony were indiscriminately distributed over the grave, and nearly every person succeeded in carrying off a relic of the Chinese funeral. The whole thing bore tho appearance of a farce, and should hardly be toleratod in the centre of a burying-ground where Christians lie. New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3770, 11 December 1873, Page 2