A WOMAN’S TONGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20642, 14 February 1929, Page 12

A WOMAN’S TONGUE.

A CORONER’S REGRETS. THE OLD-FASHIONED REMEDY. Regret that the old-fashioned method of bridling a woman’s tongue was not still in vogue was expressed by the Bristol coroner, Mr A. E. Barker, at an inquest on William John Hislop, aged 71. He was discovered hanging in his bedroom by a cord attached to two screws fixed to the top' of the door. Two police officers cut down the body and unsuccessfully applied artificial respiration. Deceased’s daughter stated that her father had been terribly upset by the behaviour and gossip of a woman neighbour. The coroner stated that the evidence indicated .that death was self-inflicted-The daughter had given them a story, of .it was correct, that some woman with the itching of an uncontrollable and slanderous tongue brought matters to such a pitch that the man hanged litmsclfj It, was always a pity that people did not take the bit between the teeth and go for the woman by whatever legal means there were available. He supposed that there were such means to bridle the woman's tongue. Their forefathers had a method—a much more rough and ready one. It seemed a pity it was not used now. This was ducking. He supposed that it could, not be done now, but he felt that it was a pity, A verdict of “ Suicide while of unsound mind” was returned.