BATHING FATALITY AT HAMILTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11874, 28 January 1902, Page 5

BATHING FATALITY AT HAMILTON.

PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL ;: STUDENT DROWNED. [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN COKKESI'ONDENT.] , ,\ Hamilton', Monday. A sad bathing fatality took place about twelve o'clock to-day. Mr. R. N. C. Tennent, a theological student, who has been in charge of Hamilton Presbyterian. Church for some months, went to bathe in the Waikato River, at Kirikiriroa, accompanied by Mr. Steele and a little boy. Mr. Tennent undressed quickly and climbed into a willow tree overhanging the bank in order to have a dive. Mr. Steele had his back to him, and was engaged undressing the little boy, when he heard Mr. Tennent say, " Here goes!" and immediately afterwards heard a splash. Not hearing or seeing anything more of him Mr. Steele called out, and getting no answer, dived at the place where Mr. Tennent had entered the water, but could find no signs of him. He gave the alarm, and the river was shortly afterwards dragged, but no trace of the body could be found. Sergeant Stapleton got a boat and continued to drag for some time without success. The probability is that the current has taken the body down the river, and, as is usual, it in all probability will not be recovered till it reaches Taupiri. Quite a gloom hangs over the town. The deceased was very much respected by all, and his ministrations in the church were much appreciated. He is the son of the Rev. E. Tennent, a Presbyterian minister, of Port Chalmers.