BIRKENHEAD VETERAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 243, 13 October 1936, Page 5

BIRKENHEAD VETERAN.

MR. ALEXANDER JVTc&ILP. The SOtli birthday of Mr. Alexander McGilp, formerly well-kno%n throughout the Auckland Province as a member of the police 'force, is to be celebrated by a gathering of the family and friends at l)i» home in Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, to-morrowl Mr. McGilp was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, on October 14, IS47,"and is the only surviving member of a family of seven. He started life as a shepherd on his grandparents' property in Scotland. In 1876 he came out to Xew Zealand in the sailing ship Orari and joined the police force, in which lie served for 35 years. He was stationed at Russell, Rawene, Cambridge, Waipu, Grey Lynn and Birkenhead. Mr. McGilp is the only survivor of the party of twelve uniformed police, under Inspector F. McGovern, reinforced by twelve powerful bushnien as special constables, who took part on July 22, ISS7, in the early morning raid against troublesome Hauhau Maoris at Waihou, some, twenty miles from Russell. Mr. and Mrs. McGilp both enjoy good health. Of their children three sons and four daughters are living.