PITIFUL CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1990, 4 January 1890, Page 2

PITIFUL CASE.

A. pathetic instance of the antipathy * felt to entering the workhouse came under the notice of Mr WynDe Baxter when holding an inquest on the body of Sarah Nunn, aged 48, late of 358 Gable street, Chad well. Her husband, Robert g Alfred Nunn, a licensed messenger, who J was called as a witness, admitted, under cross-examination, that his average earnings all the yaar round, were under five shillings a week, while half this amount went in rent, There is nothing to be surprised at, therefore, in the fact that hia wife had not enough to eat, and that it was the want of nourishment, which Bhe did not get, which was mainly responsible for her decease. The husband is a cripple, with only one arm, and so badly handicapped in his efforts to gain a subsistence. The poor fellow quite broke down under the questions put to him, nod his distress was so manifestly genuine and to be respected, that both the jurors and the Coroner shared in the emotion. When he was asked why he had not applied for parish relief, he answered, ' 1 have such a great antipathy agaiust it, and so had the missus ; we would rather Btruggle on.' The old man almost starved himself to provide his wife with the inpufficienc food alio had. So touching was his Btory that the jury of working men on the spot subscribed 8s 6d for him. It is Bad to think (remarks a London contemporary) that all our official schemes for relief pass by the deserving poor, who, only under compu 1 - sion, make known the story of their very real woes.