Lived on The Dole

Inangahua Times, 25 February 1933, Page 1

Lived on The Dole

Man With £7OO in the Bank Disclosure, And Suicide Henry Ferry, aged 63. labourer. Cheshire Street, Bethnal Green, who drew unemployment benefit and transitional benefit over a period of 13 months while he had £7OO in the bank, drowned himself.

At the inquest a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was recorded.

A relieving officer said that on December 24 Ferry made a statement regarding savirgs he had not disclosed , with reference to himself and his wife. He had over £7OO to his credit and his j wife £4OO. The coroner said that Ferry had left two notes which showed that he knew when he was making his claim that he should have disclosed the facts. That matter had, perhaps, preyed on his mind to the extent that he came to the conclusion to take his life. ‘ He says that it is his iife’s saving,* said the coroner. * I dare say it is, but that was no reason for not reporting it.’