A TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1930, Page 5

A TRAGEDY

FATHER. SUICIDES

AND CHILD POISONED.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, January 24

Demented by the thought of a pending divorce George Davis Dangaford, 29. a naval rating living at Kiwi Road, Devonport, last night killed himself by gas poisoning and took his only child, Dennis,- aged three to death with him. Stifling gas fumes filled the house when the police forced their way through the front door, strongly barricaded with furniture at about one o’clock this morning. ( In tiie kitchen Dangaford was found with his head in an oven. About three feet away surrounded by toys with which lie had been playteg when the gas fumes overcome him, lay the child face downwards. Notes scrawled on pages of a school book, stating lie intended to' kill himself, and take the child with him, were left by Dangaford. Messages were also loft on the Joker and three of hearts from a pack ef playing cards. The evidence points to Dangaford’s mind being deranged.

FURTHER PARTICULARS

AUCKLAND, Jan 24

During the recent months Dana* ford and his wife had been separated, at intervals, and about three weeks ago tire wife went to live with a neighbour, Bolton. Last night Danaford called for the child saying he would take him to the pictures. When at 10.45 Danaford had not returned with the child, Bolton went to Danaford’s house and getting no responso to knocks, called the police who forced their way into the house and found Danaford and the child as previously stated. Danaford had died some hours before the child had. Mrs Danaford had objected to parties of shipmates brought to the house, and Danaford had made threats to Bolton (against his wife and child.

A neighbour stated that a few days ago when the wife told her husband she intended telling the Commander «f the Philomel that Danaford was not treating lier properly, and that they were going to seek a divorce, the husband had exclaimed, “If you do that there will be murder.”

In the notes left by Danaford he move, than once contradicted himself. Visions of after life were expressed in language that could hardly ho understood. On one card was scrawled “Your death sign Mrs Danaford ”