DEATH OF SUB-INSPECTOR GORDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 234, 30 September 1908, Page 5

DEATH OF SUB-INSPECTOR GORDON.

-.' > . LOSS OF A VALUABLE OFFICER. ' After a brief illness, extending only from Friday evening last, Sub-Inspector Douglas Gordon died shortly after 3 o-clock this morning at the comparatively early age of 55 years, just at that period when most men are anticipating the quiet enjoyment of what fruits the strain of life has brought them. But a life spent for the greater part in police duty, much of it amid circumstances that drained heavily upon his nervous and physical resources, has during the past few months shown its toll on the late sub-inspector, although none of his friends anticipated the almost tragic suddenness of his decease. Apparently in moderate health, last Friday he complained of indigestion, but the symptoms rapidly developed to acute inflanfmation. No very serious results, however, were anticipated till last night, when he took a sudden turn for the worse, and died in the early hours of'this morning. The late Mr Gordon arrived with his parents from Scotland when little more than an infant, and in his younger days experienced many of the vicissitudes inseparable from the lives of early colonists. He joined the armed constabulary at Cambridge about 35 years ago, being camped first at Taupo and later at Paeroa. From the constabulary he was. transferred to the police force, being first stationed at the Thames, from where he came to Auckland, being for some time second clerk in the inspector's office. He was afterwards stationed at Otorohanga, Whangarei, and Russell, from which place he was promoted sergeant to street duty in Auckland. In July of 1902 he was selected to take charge of the training depot at Wellington, in succession to Sub-Inspector Donovan, and he remained there till March of 1906, when he was raised to the rank of sub-inspector and transferred to Auckland. As a police officer, he was held in the highest esteem alike by his brethren in the force and by the general public, with whom he came in contact, while "capable, loyal, and straight" was the verdict of his superiors. Of a disposition at once just and kindly, his loss will be keenly felt by the service, of which he was so worthy an officer, while among. his friends and comrades nothing can be felt but the deepest regret. The late Mrs Gordon- pre-deceased him by several years, three sons and three daughters survive him, the eldest being Mr D. Gordon, who is in the office of Messrs. S. Vaile and Sons, of this city. TRIBUTE FROM BENCH AND PROFESSION. At the opening of Police Court proceedings this morning, tribute was paid to the qualities of the deceased officer by the Bench and members of the legal profession present. Mr Brookfield, as senior counsel, referred to the news of the,l Sub-Inspector's sudden death, which, he said, must come as a painful shock to all with whom the late Mr Gordon had come in contact. A man of the highest integrity, upright, and honourable; none could ever have been associated with him without being impressed with the high motives that actuated him at all times, and. as a member of tho legal profession, he could speak • of his invariable fairness in Court, whether it be to the advantage of his case or not. Tlie late Sub-Inspector had the rare quality of being able to place the merits of a case before the natural desire that seizes a man to win—he was always on the side of justice. The presiding justice (Mr H. M. .Shepperd), in regretting the late sub-inspec-tor's untimely decease, said that the whole of the justices in Auckland must feel the loss of a man of such sterling uprightness and ability. Mr J. R. Lundon added his testimony to that of Mr Brookfield, speaking as one whose professional duties had brought him into frequent conflict of argument with the late officer, but never once to any but the highest personal opinion of him as an officer and a man. Mr Gordon would be generally regretted by the legal profession with whom he came into contact as a man who could ill be spared by his department. Sergeant Hendry, on behalf of the deceased officer's family, thanked the Bench and legal profession for their sincere and sympathetic expressions of appreciation and regret, adding that the police force were in mourning for a good officer and a staunch friend. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon, leaving his late residence at 2 p.m. for Waikaraka Cemetery. To-day tho flags over the Magistrate's Court and the Police Barracks were flying at half-mast out of respect to the memory of the late Mr Gordon.