AMAZING SQUALOR

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1935, Page 7

AMAZING SQUALOR

DEATH OF RICH WIDOW TREASURES IN RUBBISH 36 DOGS FOUND IN HOUSE INQUIRY IN GAS MASKS By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Hobart, Aug. 17. An amazing state of squalor was discovered by the police and health officers investigating the death of Mrs. Annie Crawford, aged 78, a widow, reputedly worth £70,000, whose body was found in her home three days after her death. The investigating officers were forced-, to wear gas-masks, and one man fainted. About 100 pigeons and 36 dogs lived on the premises. Every room of the large house was in a condition beggaring description. The rooms were stacked with rubbish, unworn clothing, crockery and silverware. In one room there was a huge pile of unworn hats, some with the tags attached, showing \ prices ranging up to eight guineas and estimated to have cost about £5OO. ' Some 12 outhouses also contained crockery, paintings, furniture, carpets and clothing. Jewellery and money were strewn about. In the rubbish were dead, pigeons and rats. Thirty-two dogs' were destroyed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.