DOMINION DAY CELEBRATIONS IN NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 15, 7 October 1908, Page 32

DOMINION DAY CELEBRATIONS IN NAPIER.

by uiii.se untimely death the police fore ' of the Dominion loses a popular, a zealous, and most .efficient officer.

The death of Mr. Douglas Gordon, subinspector of police at Auckland, which occurred last Wednesday, after a short illness, removed one of the most capable officers of the force. The late Mr Gordon arrived with his parents from Scotland when little more than an infant, ami 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 publie, with

New Pastor of Beresford St. Congregational Chure'

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.

At the sittings of the Police Court and Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, both Bench and Bar referred feelingly to the loss caused by the sub-inspector’s death. The funeral, which took place at Waikaraka Cemetery, Onehunga, on Thursday, was largely attended, showing the respect in which deceased was held.

Seattle is now one of the most important town- in America, and is as large as Frisco and as busy. Twelve years ago it was not as large a city as Auckland, its population then being 42,000.