FAMOUS CORONER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21556, 19 January 1940, Page 8

FAMOUS CORONER

Mr Ingleby Oddie Retires (Special—By Air Mall) LONDON, December 23. Mr Ingleby Oddie, most famous of London coroners, who retired this week after 27 years, was loath to leave his work. “I am very sorry indeed that I have to go.” he said. "I have reached the age limit and so I must. I shall miss my work exceedingly. “Has my job made me a cynic about marriage? No it has not. My work often shows mankind up in a bad light but also it often shows much unsuspected goodness, much sympathy and kindliness. And often it gives me a chance to do some public good, which is very heartening. It has never affected my sense of humour, and certainly has not made me depressed. “Quite frankly, I love my job. I do not look forward to the farewell party. I shall hate saying goodbye. “The two most interesting cases in my life were those of Vera Page and of Nora Upchurch. Both were murder cases. “In the Vera Page murder, the murdered was never discovered. In the case of Nora Upchurch I was always perfectly certain who the murderer was. After a year or two he murdered another woman. Had he been convicted at the Upchurch trial that second woman would never have lost her life. “I have come to the conclusion that most women are simply born liars and can’t help themselves. I have seen women stand up in front of me and give the most detailed and precise information every word of which has been a lie. “It has not taken me in. I can always detect a liar but I’ve often marvelled at it. There are exceptions, of course. Here are some of Mr Ingleby Oddie’s sayings:— i On Pedestrians: “In these days unless you are quick you are dead.” On Income Tax: “In the past insomnia and intoxication have been the main causes of suicide, but now we shall have to add income tax.” On Croquet: “It’s a game that does not irritate you like that frowsy old Scottish game called golf.” On Influenza: “I do not know that doctors are much good for influenza, but bed certainly is.” And finally, this was Mr Oddie’s advice to a fat man on how to get out of a bath. “Have a rope with a ring on the end of it surpended from the ceiling so that you can pull yourself up. I can say personal) that one finds very great comfort in getting out of a bath this way.”