LIVING IN A CAVE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 15

LIVING IN A CAVE

.REFUGE FBOM I’nß POOEJXOUSa A remarkable caso of deep-rooted ob. jociiou to the poorhouso has just transpired at Arbroath (Scotland), ia man of 7i years preferring to live alone in tiro Mason's Uovo, one of the most open of Urn many oaves along the cliilh, ratnor than enter tue pool-house, which has horn ohered him by the Parish Council, Since Iho year IaOO Andrew Uoidou, wii > is a native of tho district, and Una practically lived in Arbroath for tuo pant, sixty yearn, ban been, along with U.s wife, on tun outdoor poor's roll, receiving b«, and hulerly 6h, per week. Xli« old couple were Uiuh ennhkd, to remain together in their little house, but on account of circuiubtanccu wiiich arose they were asked to B° into *-*’ 6 poorhouso. I’hoy refused more than once, hut eventually the wife was compelled to go into tho sick waid of the nouso, ami there she st'll remains.. The allowance to Andrew was then reduced to 3e, and at the term in May the old man was faced with tho alternative of either giving way to the poor authorities or baking to tno road. Though frail. Andrew, who woo a mason by trade, is in possession of all nis faculties, and obstinate to tho backbone. On May ‘.Mill ho gathered together all his portaoto goods and chattc-le, and leaving his old homo trekked out to the AUson’s Cove, nearly two miles from the town. . This largo cavern is right in tho face of the ciius, and iis accoxsiblc at any time, but the very highest spring tides. It measures nearly 2W feet loui!, and is about lift-con feet lush at the enir.iuco, and about the same in width, but gradually decreasing in height ami width. At the extremity there is a small noveriniliug spring of water which has the further peculiarity of maintaining a uniform temperature of 17.4 degrees all the year. Here tno hermit, us ho is ! being called, fins taken up his abode, and hero ho originally intended to remain until January in the hope that he might bo eligible for an old age pension. This hope Inna been shattered by tho decision to exclude from Hq benefits all who have received relief from the rates since January Ist, 13J3. Andrew, how. ever, is quips contented in his present ; hnbibe-tion, 1 and ia hopeful that before 1 September something may bo done to alleviate his position. The poorhouso* however, lie is as determined as ovol novel to enter.