OBITUARY

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 20, 9 October 1930, Page 7

OBITUARY

A gloom was cast over the Hutt Valley last week when it became known Mr D. S. Bcdingfield had passed awayafter a short illuess. The late Mr. Bedingfield, who was 62 years of age, had up to a short time before his death, been closely associated with, the education of Pctone children and the large number of pupils who have passed through his hands will sincerely mourn the passing of one who was loved and respected by all. This was exemplified recently when Mr Bedingfield, who was to have been one of the chief speakers at the Petone "Wfest School 21st anniversary was unable to be present as became suddenly ill with a' heart attack during the a<£fcernoon. The expressions of sympathy expressed by the hundreds of old and present pupils on that occasion bore cestimony to the respect and esteem in which lie was held. For over a quarter of a 'century Mr Bedingfield has been prominently associated with education in. Petone, commencing his Petone career as first assistant at the Petone Central School, thenvthe Petone District High School: In 1909, when the Petone West School ope,ned,' he was appointed its first headmaster, and in 1921, when the position of headmaster of the Petone Central School became racant, Mir Bedingfield was appointed to the position which he has ably filled ever since. He was due to retire nexti year. At a critical period in the- history of the Petone Technical School he came to its assistance and held office as .director for several years, placing; the school on a sound foundation and taking a prominent part in having- it elevated to a Technical High School. Mr Bedingfield entered energetically into the life of the community, and for four years, until his voluntary retirement, he was a member of the Petone Borough Council, topping the polls at the elections in 1919 and 1921. In I general politics Mr Bedingfield "was a Liberal,- and was a prominent member of Sir Thomas "W&lford's election committee. A staunch supporter of the secular system of education, he strenuously fought against any encroachment on the liberties of teachers in this re- v spect. At the time of his death he was chairman of the "W-ellington Teachers' Association, and was an advocate of bnany of the reforms asked for by the teachers' profession. As a mark of respect the Petone Central School was closed for two days and at the Petone Wesi School* Mr. J. C. Burns, the headmaster made sympathetic reference to his late colleague.

The late Mr. Bedingfield who resided at Melling, is survived by his widow, a laughter, Miss Medingfield, who is •following the teaching profession, and a son Mr. D. L. Bedingneld,.BX, TJLJB., who is prastising lasw in Petone.

The, interment was private, 'but ibesides the Bey. Archdeacon Hansell, who read the burial service, there were present Mrjj. McKenzie (Mayor), *and Mr W. F. Sturman (town clerk), representing the Betone Borough Council; Mr W. Hoplrirk, Mr B. Kean, Mr B. Anderson, representing the Wellington Headmaster^ Association; Mr. W. Dyer and ]\Cr J. ftonehouse, representing the- Wellington Education Board; • thelJov J. C. Loan, representing the commissioners of the Petone Central School; Mr J. C. Burns, headmaster of Petone West School, and for/manyyears a colleague of the late Mr Bedingfield; and Mr Thompson, first assistant at the Petone Central School.