DROWNED AT SEA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9039, 24 January 1908, Page 5

DROWNED AT SEA.

DEATH OF MR HECTOR BETHUNE. BY TKLKUItAI'II —rKUSK ASSOCIATION. CFIRISTCHURCH, January 23. Mr Hector Kenneth Bethune, Inspector of the Bank of Australasia, was drowned from ihe Monowai, at 3.15 o'clock, this morning, during the voyage from Wellington to Lyttelton. The steward gave Mr a drink of water and then saw him hanging to the bulwarks. He reached out to secure him, but Mr Bethune disappeared in the sea. A search was made but the body was not found. (Mr Bethune was a son of the late Mr John 11. Bethune, an early and respected settler of Wellington, and was born in that city* 1 in 1857. He was educated at Wellington College, and entered the service of the Bank of Australasia in Wellington in 1874. He soon displayed an aptitude for the business, and made rapid pro- ! gross in the service. lie was accountant in Wellington for some time, and subsequently he acted as manager at Duncdin and Auckland. Mr Bethune was then appointed to the charge of the Wellington branch and soon after assuming the position he was married to Miss Smith, of Wanganui. About three years ago he was granted a year's leave of absence to enable him to visit the Old Country in company with his wite. In April of last year he was promoted from the position of sub-inspector to that of inspector for New Zealand.)