12 MAY 1967, Page 24

Nil nisi bonum

Sir: It may be true of national and international figures, as Donald McLachlan asserts (28 April), that to make sure of the best (obituary) treatment it is vital to survive to a ripe old age; but the rule is cer- tainly not of universal application. The man who has made his mark in local affairs should not live beyond his seventies; if he makes the mistake of living into his nineties, the local paper will give him a much smaller notice, if indeed they are aware of his passing at all.

H. Whitethread 82 Water Street, Old Chesterton, Cambridge