TRAGEDY IN FORD’S ARK.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 57, 7 March 1916, Page 7

TRAGEDY IN FORD’S ARK.

Much bitter feeling was developed owing to the sudden death from pneumonia of Mr. Lloyd Bingham, a popular American entertainer, who accompanied the party of peace missioners in Ford’s “Ark.” His joviality, though perfectly harmless, seems to have offended some of the more straitlaced delegates, who ostracised him during the greater part of the voyage, and many of the newspaper correspondents in Ford’s party openly declare that his illness was due to his public humiliation by these persons. They even go so far as oponeiy accuse them of the indirect responsibility for Mr. Lloyd Bingham’s death, and liken their conduct towards him to the fact that the squirrel which was sent on board the "nut” ship when she sailed from New York was allowed to starve, to death in its cage. Mr. Ford’s party was entertained at a banquet by the Norwegian students, but it is generally understood that Ford himself paid the bill. The managers of the peace party have’ made strenuous endeavours to suppress the fact of Mr. Lloyd Bingham’s death, and have even refused to provide for a religious service ItSt the news should "sadden the delegates.’’ Mr. Bingham was a successful theatrical manager in New York, and the husband of the popular actress Amelia Bingham.