KNOCKED DOWN BY A TRAM CAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 25

KNOCKED DOWN BY A TRAM CAR.

Mr William Bennett, head master of the Macandrew Road School, was killed in a collision with a tramcar on the Forbury road, iieai Shiel's Quariy, about half-past 5 p.m. on the 21st. Mr Bennett, who wa-- riding a bicycle, cro«sed f1 om one track to the other while I follow 111; a, oar into town. Unfortunately there was a car coming in the opposite direction at tho moment, and before Mr Bennott had an opportunity to get clear of it ho was knocked o\er with great force, and iecei\cd injuries from which lie died almost instant h. He v. as badl\ cut abou' the face aiul head, and both legs weie broken. The deceased gentleman, who was 60 years of age, leases a wife and eight childien (fho sons and three- daughters). The car with which Mr Bennett collided was in charge of Motoiman Brettell. After passing Shiel"s Quariy this car met onother car which was coming to town. Just as the t^o trams were passing each other the deceased suddenly crossed over from behind the car which he had been following. The other car was then within a few feet of him, and nothing could be done to avert the accident. The ear appeared to strike some part of Mr Bennett's bicycle, and he was thrown clear of the track. The cars were travelling at tho rate of about 10 miles an hour at the time, and, as is usual when trams are passing each other, the power was shut off on both. Mr Bennett was born in Norfolk, England, in 1847. He armed in Victoria in 1866, and came to New Zealand in 1879 to join the teaching staff of the Otago Education Board. He was first appointed head master of the Flag Swamp- School. , On the opening of the George Street School he joined the staff as first assistant, \ and after serving there for a year or two ! he took up the position of head master of the Ra-\ensbourne School. The Macandrew I Road School was opened in 1883, and Mr , Bennett was its fiist head master, so that ho occupied his position there for about 25 years. He was a most successful ( teacher, and was held in the highest respect by educational authorities and others with whom he came in contact. Mr Ben- j nett was known throughout the service as , I a remarkably fine exponent of pen- I manship. His manner with children , was attractive and pleasant, and his stylo of teaching was of the persuasive ' type. He was able to convince hia pupils of the benefits of paying attention to tlieir ta&ks, and many a backward scholar he has brought, out by pitting him in friendly rivalry with a o'.as-smate. It is not too much to say that there are hundreds of joung men and women who have passed through his schools who to-day remember his efforts on their behalf with sincere gratitude. He was 8 fine athlete in his younger days in "Victoria, and one of his sons has also earned a. reputation on the traok. The deceased was a prominent member of the Otago Sunday 'School Union, for which body he acted as honorary inspector.