Newspaper Article 1960 – Mr DG Begley Dies Following Highway Collision

MR D.G. BEGLEY DIES FOLLOWING HIGHWAY COLLISION

The death occurred in the Palmerston North Hospital last night, following an accident on the Himitangi [Himatangi] highway, south of Palmerston North, of Mr Daniel Guerin Begley, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Hastings, and a leading figure in the Dominion’s commercial field.

Mr Begley, who had recently returned to active business after a serious illness, was en route to Wellington yesterday afternoon in a car driven by his wife, when a tyre blew out and the car got out of control.

It collided with a car parked on the roadside and Mr Begley was thrown out, receiving injuries which necessitated his admission to the Palmerston North Hospital.

Actually Mr and Mrs Begley were on the way to Wellington to a ceremony in the Wellington Farm Products Company’s new building where Mrs Begley was to have unveiled today a portrait in oils of Mr Begley, which is to hang in the building in recognition of his services for the dairy industry throughout New Zealand.

Born in Hastings 58 years ago, Mr Begley was a son of Mr and Mrs Michael Begley who were among the early settlers of Hastings, and following his education at St Joseph’s Convent School, he took up a position on the Te Mahanga Station. This was followed by a period on Sir Andrew Russell’s property at Tunanui [Tuna Nui], after which he took over his father’s farm in Riverslea road, and later, established his own in Norton road.

ROLE IN DAIRYING

A man of pronounced organising ability and a competent speaker, Mr Begley many years ago became a great influence in the dairying activity of New Zealand. His father was a founder of the Heretaunga Dairy Company, and in 1923 Mr Begley went on to the board of this company as a director. He was elected chairman in 1930 and was in that office at the time of his death. Soon after he was elected chairman, he organised the “take-over” of the Waipukurau Dairy Company by the Heretaunga company, and in 1937 he formed the Hawke’s Bay Farm Products’ Company, which was the forerunner of many similar companies in New Zealand. Among these was the Wellington company of which he was managing director. He was chairman of directors of the Dominion Producers’ Co-operative Agency at Palmerston North, which was the parent company of Farm Products, Ltd.

Mr Begley was a director and chairman of the Primary Industries Insurance Company, Ltd., for some 21 years until ill-health caused him to relinquish the office, and was chairman of the Heretaunga Bobby Calf Pool. It was largely due to his efforts that the marketing of calves was placed on a co-operative basis, with considerable advantage to the producers. He sat on various committees on a national basis in dealing with farm products and was a member of the New Zealand Poultry Board and New Zealand Egg Marketing Committee. His work in the founding of the egg floor scheme of marketing is exceptionally well known in the poultry world. During the war, he was a member of the Primary Producers’ Council.

COMMUNITY WORK

In the midst of his busy life, Mr Begley was also able to give attention to local affairs. He was a director of the Hastings Gas Company, and was serving his second term as a member of the Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board. He was a prominent member of the Hastings Rotary Club for some years and a trustee of the Oddfellows’ Lodge. He was very keenly connected with the Sacred Heart Church activities, and, until recent years, found time to play bowls with the Heretaunga and Kia Toa bowling clubs. In his younger days, he was quite a competent bowler and took part in a number of N[e]w Zealand tournaments.

A man of very high ideals, Mr Begley left his mark on many organisations, but it was in the dairy industry activities that his greatest weight was felt, and the community in general will be the poorer for his passing. He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Gertrude [Roberta] McIntyre, of Waipawa, whom he married in 1929, two sons, Messrs Selwyn and Douglas Begley, of Hastings, and a sister, Miss C [G]. Begley, of Hastings.

Photo caption – Mr Begley … death follows collision.