"Alban John Barnes, 26 Ariki Street, Lower Hutt, was killed when the motor-cycle he was riding collided with a car at the corner of Fitzherbert and Montague Streets, Lower Hutt. about 6.20 p.m. on Saturday. He was aged 19 and employed as a joiner's apprentice.
The accident occurred when the car, travelling west along Montague Street and Barnes's motor-cycle, proceeding along Fitzherbert Street towards Petone, came into collision at the intersection of the two streets. Barnes suffered a fractured skull." [Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1941, Page 9]
"BARNES.—On January 23, 1941, accidentally killed at Lower Hutt, Alban John, dearly beloved son of Mrs. Edith K. Barnes, of 26 Ariki Street, Lower Hutt; aged 19 years. "One of the best."" [Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1941, Page 1]
"Obituary - JOHN BARNES
A distressing accident in Lower Hutt on the evening of January 25, resulted not only in the death of a promising young tradesman — Alban John Barnes — but wrote "finis" to an unbroken line of craftsmen extending back well over 300 years. When young Barnes's grandfather left London in 1873 to carry his craft to the colonies, the signboard over the family workshop bore the statement, "Established over 250 years." What memories are called up by those proud words — "Freemen of the Wonderful Company of Carpenters" with all their ancient rights, privileges and responsibilities. The re-building of London after the Great Fire of 1666; the Trained Bands provided by the Old City Guilds in place of a Standing Army — memories that would fill volumes. Young Barnes's forebears were among the best of craftsmen. His great grandfather constructed those beautiful handrails in the Home of the Mother of Parliaments, the Houses of Westminster; and was in control of all the joiners' work in that magnificent building. His grandfather, J. W. Barnes, was in control of some of the largest joinery concerns in Australasia — Oldfields of Melbourne, N.Z. Timber Co of Auckland (later the Kauri Timber Company) and Goss's of Christchurch. His father, H. T. Barnes, was also one of our best known tradesmen and was for some years in control of Odlin's Joinery Works in Wellington. It is distressing to see yet one more of these craftsmen families come to an end. But "So Mote it be." And all that remains for us is to say, To Alban John Barnes and his race, VALE." [Hutt News, Volume 14, Issue 35, 12 February 1941, Page 7]
