MR W. T. STEAD'S DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 24 May 1912, Page 8

MR W. T. STEAD'S DEATH

AN UNFULFILLED PROPHECY. The late Mr. W. T. Stead, founder of the "Review of Reviews," at the time of his death in the loss of the Titanic wag on his way to New York in response to an invitation to deliver an address on the "World's Peace," at the Carnegi* Hall on April 21. Before he left London he had arranged to write an article on the Titanic ami her first trip, and to publish it in the next issue of the "Review of Reviews." The London correspondent of the Sydney Telegraph, in a dispatch telegraphed from Fremantle, states that when the news that the Titanic had struck an iceberg was flashed to New York and London, enterprising editors I who knew that Mr. Stead was on hoard J sent him wireless ncssnivns offering lareis i sums if he would writ" tor them th« story of the disaster. Tt was then believed that all the passengers had been saved. When it became known that over 1000 people had perished, and that Mr. Stead was amongst the number, most of the London newspapers published lengthy biographies' notices. Mr. Stead, as is well known, devoted much time in his latter years to spiritualism, with the object of opening up communication with the spirits of the dead. H« was enthusiastic in everything he took up, but in no direction was his enthusiasm more marked than in hi* reverent desire to pierce the mystery of death. He brought an earnest mind to bear on the subject, but also brought a degree of credulity which made him a doubtful guide. The Daily Mail recalls the fact that Mr. Stead, when in Constantinople last October, made the following prophecy regarding his own death:—"l know perfectly well how I shall die. It has been revealed to me. I shall go to prison twice more before I die, and I shall end by being kicked to death in the streets of London. This makes my mind quite easy when I travel, and I never insure myself against risks of any kind."