A HEROINE IN HUMBLE LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8610, 4 July 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

A HEROINE IN HUMBLE LIFE.

An extraordinary case was reported at the Huddersfield Guardians' meeting on Saturday. Five years ago the guardians gave

•elief to the extent of nearly £50 to Mat-

thew Messenger.- Sinco his death his daughter, who follows the occupation of a charwoman, her maximum wages being 8s weekly, has denied herself all luxuries for the sake of repaying the money and maintaining the honest independence of the family. A few weeks ago she accomplished her purpose, and to the surprise of everyone concerned repaid the whole amount,* the sacrifice taking every penny of her savings. The guardians did not want to take the money, but no persuasion would induce her to accept one penny back. It was represented to her that illness would find her badly off, but she was so much in earnest in wishing to remove the pauper taunt from her family that at length the guardians decided to invest the money in the names of the chairman, treasurer, and the clerk of the union for the time being, to bo used for her benefit in case of necessity, and at her death the balance, if any, to be paid into the funds of the union, as she has no known relative. The case was described as perfectly unique, and the hopo was expressed that such an instance of honest poverty would be made known throughout the country.