TOOK TO DRINK AT 84

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18803, 26 November 1932, Page 12 (Supplement)

TOOK TO DRINK AT 84

Something of the history of an old man of 85 who, until a year ago, had been a ’teetotaller, non-smoker, and "good churchman,” and then became a heavy drinker after a quarrel with his wife, was disclosed at an inquest at St. Pancras on David Clark, described as a metal worker, of Finsbury Park.

He, was found dead in his room wilh a brown paper bag over bis bead, into this bag ran a length of Lulling eonnceled wilh the gas bracket. The gas had been lurpcd on.

The widow, Airs Prudence Clark, a white-haired .woman, who was helped into Hie witness-box, related I hat her husband had boon under a doctor l’or a. few weeks, following an injury to his knee.

"lie had not been on friendly terms with me for 13 months, but he slept in the same house,” proceeded Mrs Clark. "He had no meals at home. Ho went out In the morning, came back at night, and went to bed. I never went near 'him during the 13 months, and never opened his door."

Suicide of Old Man . . . Sequel to Quarrel with Wife.

Coroner: Has he supplied you with money?—No, except £2 a month towai'ds the rent. Thirteen months ago he took 'away £IOO which I had saved. —-It was your joint money?— Yes.—What about the money now? — I don’t know anything about it. In reply to other questions, Mrs Clark said: “Up to 12 months ago he was a non-smoker, non-drinker, and a good chap.” Miss Lilian Ann Plumley of Finsbury Park, stated that Hie old man, whom she knew for six or seven years, walked liic streets all clay, and sometimes went to Hie pictures or anywhere whore lie could sit down. Once, when lie had a fall on the tramlines and hurt I)is knee, lie told witness he had no lea or anything taken in to him in Hie mornings. Miss Plumley sent for some biscuits and tea for him.

The coroner, recording a verdict of "suicide while of unsound mind,” mentioned that Clark left a pencilled note to a neighbour, which read: "When you get this I shall have passod out of the old world.”