LATE CONSTABLE BEGG.

Auckland Star, Issue LVII, 1 March 1926, Page 9

LATE CONSTABLE BEGG.

AX IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL. Large crowds assembled yesterday to witness the funeral of Constable Adam George Begg, who was killed in Parnell tunnel by a passing train, while searching for an escaped prisoner. All along the route crowds stood with bared heads as the cortege passed by. A typical Highland lament was played by a pipe band marching in front of the hearse. Constable Begg only arrived from Scotland a few months ago. The coffin was covered by the Union Jack. The hearse was followed by nearly 200 members of the police force, including the detective branch. Amongst those present were Superintendent Wohlmann, ex-Superintendents Hendry and Sheehan, Inspector Mcllveney, Sub-Inspector Lewin and Chief Detective Cummings.

The service at the grave was by the Rev. F. R. Jeffreys, who said that in this tragedy the public was brought face to face with the dangers that daily beset the members of the force at the call of duty. He only hoped that this sad tragedy would help the general public to a better understanding of its great indebtedness to our "men in blue, who, in season and out of season, unflinchingly faced many dangers of ■which those outside know nothing. While citizens sleep in security and peace, their homes and hearths, their children, their ehildrens' honour, was under the constant guard, day and night, of the men who, aften with their lives in their own hands and throughout the long night watches, kept ceaseless vigil.

Adam George Begg was only on the threshold of his career, hut already he had given good service in Scotland, where for two years he had been a member of the Hussars and for five years a member of the Glasgow Police. He had been connected with the New Zealand Force for six months only and yet during that time he had won the affection and esteem of his comrades and the confidence of his officers. a record of which any man might well be proud. When his last call for earthly duty camo he was asleep, having been out all nijjht on duty. An urgent call at the watchhouse and Constable Bepg. anions seven others, was called from his sleep at eleven o'clock. He obeyed with the trreotest alacrity and within two hours he had mot his deith. Far from his home.-his kith and kin. far away in this outpost of his own country, his ready response to the call of duty resulted in his untimely end.