DEATH OF MR THOMAS MACKAY,

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 140, 15 June 1891, Page 4

DEATH OF MR THOMAS MACKAY,

■♦ —— A telegram from Wellington states that Mr Thomas Mackay, one of the three members of the commission recently appointed to inquire into the native land laws, died on Saturday afternoon at the Metropolitan Hotel, where he had been staying. About a week ago he complained of an abscess on tho side ot the face, and consulted Dr. Martin. Death, however, is belioved to have been due to a weekness of the heart. His nephew, Mr Alexander Mackay, a, judge of the Native Lands Court; visited him to-day. He found him sleeping, as he supposed, but as he was breathing heavily he tried to rouse him, without effect. He was alarmed, and sent for Dr. Martin, who attended with DrGrace. By that time, however, Mr Mackay was dead. Deceased was the fourth son ot the late Mr Alexander Mackay, who was a large shipowner residing at Aberdeen. Mr Thomas Mackav was born at Aberdeen in 1821, and at the time of his death was in his 70th year. He was by profession a Civil Engineer, and as such was superintending Engineer of the railways constructed in Ireland by tbe great Irish contractor Dargan. He also superintended for Mr Dargan the erection of tho building for tho Dublin Exhibition. On the completion of Ins engagements with Mr Dargan, Mr Mackay was for some time engaged in model farming on hie own acount, but this not proving successful he came to New Zealand, and for sometime resided with his eldest brother James at Nelson. About twenty years ago he entered the service of the New Zoaland Government, and had occupied the position of Land Purchase Ollicer in the Public Works Department, and had also been a Trust Commissioner for native reserves. In February last Mr Mackay was appointed a member of tho Commission then formed to consider the operation cf the laws rotating to native lands. The other members were Messrs W. L. Rees and James Carroll, and they have submitted their report. A separate report, however, was to have been cent to tho Government by Mr Mackay. He was preparing this when death interrupted him. The deceased gentleman was a widower, and leaves no family. Mr James Mackay, the Native Land agent, is a nephew of the deceased, being the eon of his eldest brother, and Mr Alexander Mackay is a nephew being tho son of another brother. The deceased was of genial and liberal disposition, was respected by a large circle of friends,' and by his brother oiliciale.