STARVING MAN'S MONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 14

STARVING MAN'S MONEY.

SCHOLAR AND RECLUSE

NEARLY £2O UNDER PILLOW

The death through starvation of a classical scholar who had lived alone, and whose pass-book showed that he had £3OO on deposit, was investigated recently at Hampstead. The man, Reginald Joseph Webb, was 58 years of ago

Edward Egbert Organ Webb, a brother, said that ho last saw tho dead man fivo or six years ago on his departure from Bristol. 110 was then suffering from depression, which witness attributed to lonoliness. His brother lived by himself, and devoted himself to tho study and translation of Latin and Greek authors. Ho was of sober and careful habits, of tho old Puritan stamp. He had never threatened to tako his life or said that ho was tired of it —in fact, ho'clung to life. Mrs. Amy Arabella Brook, a sister, said that her brother did not want to have anything to do with his family, and sho discovered his address through his newsagent. Other evidence was given that Webb seldom spoke to anyone. As ho did not respond to calls tho door of his room' was forced open, and ho was found lying in bed, unable to speak. A constable, on making a search of tho room, found food in a cupboard and 16 £1 notes, two 10s notos, 32s in silver, and 9s in bronze under tho mini's pillow. It was also stated tlul there was discovered a bank pass-book which. showed it deposit of over £3OO.

Medical evidence was to the effect that Webb was extremely emaciated, and death was due to cardiac failure and peritonitis duo to starvation. The coroner returned a verdict accordingly,