FATALITIES AT SEA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 29 January 1908, Page 29

FATALITIES AT SEA.

BANK INSPECTOR DROWNED. (From Oub Owit Correspondent.)

CHRISTCffUItOH,. January 23.

About a quarter past 3 o'clock this morning, while the Union Company's steamer Monowai wa6 on her way from Wellington to Lyttelton, Mr Hector Kenneth Bethune, inspector of the Bank of Australasia, jumped overboard and was drowned.

Mr Bethune, who resided in Wellington, was about 50 years of age. He had been in ill health for some time past, the result of a severe attack of influenza, and was travelling south under the instructions of Dr Toung, of Wellington.

Mr Bethune, who was under the care of Mr Dudley, left hi 6 cabin without the knowledge of his friend, and went to the "boots" and got a drink of water. He then went on deck in the darkness of the early morning. The "boots" had occasion to go out on deck shortly afterwards, and to his consternation and surprise saw Mr Bethune over the vessel's rail, and hanging on to the bulwarks. The steward made a rush to get hold of him, but Mr Bethune let go, and, throwing up his arms, disappeared into the sea. The "boots" immediately rushed to the bridge and informed the officer on duty. The captain and othep. officers were called, but although a search was made and a sharp lookout kept for the rnissin? man no trace of^him could be seen. The morning was very dark, and there was a thiok, smoke haze over the water. Mr Bethune was very well known in banking circles throughout New Zealand, having been in the employ of the Bank of Australasia for nearly 40 years. He wae accountant of the Christ-church _ branch about 1880, and , then became sub-in6pector for New Zealand, afterwards manager of the Wellington branch, and then inspector for the Dominion. He had been ill for some six months, but was thought to be recovering.

Mr Bethune'6 relatives reside in Wellington, his brother, Mr Walter Bethune, beins; well known in connection with the firm of J. H. Bethune and Co.