Gas Accidentally Turned On

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6748, 5 January 1932, Page 7

Gas Accidentally Turned On

DEATH OF PROMINENT DARGAVILLE RESIDENT. Per Press Association. DARGAVILLE, Jan. 4. The death has taken place, under somewhat tragic circumstances, of Mr Alex Barlass, a well-known Dargaville business man. His wife and eldest son left for Hamilton last night, the father remaining in the house alone. The son roturned from town this morning, and, receiving no response to his knock, entered the living apartments and found his father dead in bed. To all appearances, the deceased had been- reading in bed by gaslight, and on turning tho gas off had evidently knocked the rubber tube from the main supply. The wiudow and door being closed, the deceased was suffocated. The late Mr Barlass was between fifty and sixty years of age, a prominent Freemason, Oddfellow, member of the Scottish Society and other institutions, also an ex-member of the Borough Council. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Library Committee. He is survived by his wifo and two 50ns.