William Begg

William Begg (31 May 1870 – 7 January 1950) was a New Zealand businessman and politician. He served as mayor of Dunedin from 1919 to 1921.

Biography Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 31 May 1870, Begg was the son of Elizabeth Johnston Begg and John Begg. In 1879, the family migrated to New Zealand in 1879, settling in Dunedin.

As a young man, Begg played rugby union for the North East Valley and Union clubs, was captain and president of the Dunedin Cycling Club, and was a lieutenant in the North Dunedin Rifles.

In 1902, Begg travelled to Britain and, after travelling for a time, took employment with a rug and mat manufacturing company near London. However, in November 1903, his father was killed in a boating accident at Pūrākaunui, and Begg was obliged to return to Dunedin to take over the running of the family company. Begg served a two-year term as mayor of Dunedin from 1919 to 1921, during which time he hosted the visit to the city of the Prince of Wales in 1920. Subsequently, Begg chaired the council's water committee for many years, and was closely associated with the development of the Deep Creek water supply scheme.

During his tenure as mayor, Begg was unmarried, and his mother acted as mayoress.

Begg served as a member of the Otago Harbour Board from 1929 until 1947, including three years at chairman. He also served on the Dunedin Fire Board, the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board, and the Otago Hospital Board,