DEATH WHILE SWIMMING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21560, 3 August 1933, Page 15

DEATH WHILE SWIMMING

NOTED POLICE OFFICER FORMER "SHADOW" OF "JIX" For many years a familiar figure while acting as private bodyguard of the late Lord Brentford, formerly Sir William Joyuson-Hicks, a former Scotland Yard officer died recently in tragic circumstances at Hove, Sussex. He was ex-Dctective-Inspector Thomas Haines, aged 48, who since his retirement a year or so ago had lived at Hove. Entering the sea for a. bathe Mr. diaines swain out and was then seen to become still, floating on his back. The alarm was given, and police officers, going out in a boat, found that ho was dead. It was believed that death was. due to heart failure while swimming. Mr. Haines had 25 years' service with the London Metropolitan Police, with which his family has been associated for a century. His son joined the force about 18 months ago, and is at present a constable in London. While acting as " shadow " of the late Lord Brentford when tlio latter was Home Secretary, Mr. Haines was almost as well known in London as " .Jix " himself. Ono of the last big "cases " he was engaged on was when Prince Carol of Rumania visited England. Mr. Haines was sent to Godstone in Surrey, where the Prince was staying, with instructions to tell the distinguished visitor to leave the country immediately. Prince Carol and the detective met in a drawing room, and the Prince appeared unable to understand the purport of the meeting. Very soon, however, INIr. Haines was able to -explain the position, and a few hours later the Prince was on his way to Dover, the inspector with him. Very little of the propaganda methods of the Bolsheviks escaped the attention of Mr. Haines. 'Ho spent a considerable time,, in Scandinavia investigating Red propaganda. So secret was the nature of his mission that even his wife was kept in "ignorance of his whereabouts for several months. To the day of his death he refused to disclose the nature of his work.,