BOY’S DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1932, Page 2

BOY’S DEATH

ALLEGED POISONING. .NEWCASTLE, June 10. George Innass, 10, died in the Newcastle Hospital this afternoon from the effects of disinfectant which he had allegedly drunk at his home in Mait-land-road, Mayfield, earlier in the day. His father, Thomas Innass, 45, is in a serious condition in the same hospital. He is suffering from gas poisoning, and a police guard has been placed at his bedside. ‘ Thomas Innass, 8, a brother of the dead boy, was treated at the hospital for burns to the lips, believed to have been caused by a disinfectant. He said that he had been given “brown stuff” to drink, but had spat it out. Two other brothers, Cecil Innass, 7, and William Innass, 4, were taken to tho hospital for observation. The police at first feared that they had been given poison, but later statements suggested that what they had drunk was wine. Their condition seemed quite satisfactory late this afternoon. The happenings which led to the tragedy occurred some time after Mrs. Innass had left her home this morning on a visit to Boolardo. The boys, it is alleged, were told to lie down and sleep after they had had drinks. The younger children became alarmed when they discovered that they could not wake George. One of them ran outside, and found that their father was lying with his head in the gas oven and that there was a strong smell of gas. They turned off the oven and found that their father did not move. Then they called out to the next dooi’ neighbour: “Daddy and Ginger are dead.” Help was forthcoming very promptly, and the Newcastle Ambulance was called.

There is no apparent motive for the happening. According to the ambulance report, the father was unemployed, but it is understood that the police have confirmation for a. statement by neighbours that the man had recently made about £5OOO from property transactions, and intended to take his wife and children to England. The boys had left school only yesterday because they were to go on a long journey. It is believed that, but for the, intelligence shown by the children in turning off the stove, their father might have died before assistance came. Detective-sergeant Charters is in charge of the police inquiries.