A BATHING FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1918, Page 6

A BATHING FATALITY.

PROFESSQR BEDFORD DROWNED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Whangarei, Feb. 18. Professor Bedford, of Otago University, lost his life yesterday morning while bathing in the il'air Pool, Whangarei. A cry for help was heard by a previous bather, who returned to find "Mr. Bedford sinking for the last time, and he was unable to locate him. Others made attempts by diving, but they were all unsuccessful. The body was recovered by dragging two hours later. An inquest will be held to-day. Professor Bedford, with the Rev. Mr. Dawson, president of the New Zealand Alliance, had been on a lecturing tour in the far north, and returned to Whangarei on Saturday. His home was at Mosgiel. He leaves a wife and four children. [Professor Bedford was 41 years of age. He was born in Leeds, England, and came out. to the Dominion with his parents when nine years old. After an education at lnvercargill Public School he joined his father at tailoring, farming and blacksmithing. Subsequently he matriculated, and had a distinguished university career. He stood for the Caversham seat in IAO2, without success, but was returned at the head of the poll for Dunedin in 1!)0.">. He did not prove a great success in Parliament, and failed to secure re-election in later contests. He then took up the practice of law and also lectured on Political Economy at the Otago University, subsequently becoming a professor. He' was a successful public speaker on prohibition, and was a Wesleyan local preacher.]