A PITIFUL CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 878, 13 August 1910, Page 3

A PITIFUL CASE.

1 Dunedin, August 11. There died in the 1) media Hospital last night, of pneumonia, Mrs Janet Ross, one of the links in the early history of the north end of the city. A pitiful story of pride and poverty i> revealed in her death. She was the widow of Mr J. Ross, who was once verger of All Saints’ Church, and on his death 17 years ago she opened a small shop in the north end, selling lollies to children. The shop was worth about 4s a week to her, aud she had also a pension of 14s. In all, after paying rent of shop and room, she had 8s a week on which to live. Many neighbours used to send her in little necessaries, but charity had to be very carefully offered, for her pride was equalled only by her distress, and she refused to allow anyone to stay with her. On Sunday morning a neighbour, noticing no smoke was coming from the chimney in Mrs Ross’ house, burst open the door, aud found her lying in a semi-couscious condition. Arrangements were at once made for her removal to the Hospital. The unfortunate woman, who was 71 years of age, had very little clothing, and her bedding consisted of a counterpane.