OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23538, 16 January 1942, Page 6

OBITUARY

—♦ — DR. KENNETH MACKENZIE

(P.S.S.) AUCKLAND. January 15. One of Auckland’s most distinguished medical men, Dr. Kenneth Mackenzie, died early this morning after a short illness. A son of Sir Thomas Mackenzie. a former Prime Minister of New Zealand and later High Commissioner in Great Britain, he was born in London in 1885, but spent practically the whole of his life in the Dominion. Dr. Mackenzie was educated at the Otago Boys' High School, the University of Otago, and Edinburgh University. In 1908 he graduated M.B. Ch.B. (with distinction), and three years later M.D. (gold medal), both being rare honours. He graduated F.R.C.S. (Lond.) and master of surgery (Edin.) in 1913. Returning to New Zealand in 1913 he took up practice as a consulting surgeon. His career has been a distinguished one. He was honorary surgeon at the Auckland Hospital from 1914 to the time of his death. He was a member of the Senate of the University of New Zealand and examiner in physiology and gynaecology .at the University of Otago. It was Dr. Mackenzie who inaugurated clinical teaching at Auckland Hospital, being founder of the Clinical Society and its president in 1924.

He is an old member of the Auckland Division of the British Medical Association and was president for a period. He also took a keen interest in cancer research, being president of the British Empire Cancer Campaign in the Dominion and being closely associated with the consultation committee on cancer at the Auckland Hospital since its inception. His activities have also included keen interest in Rotary, and he is a charter member of the Auckland Rotary Club. He was president in 192425. During the last war he served as an officer with the New Zealand Medical Corps.

Dr. Mackenzie married Miss Flora Macdonald, the only daughter of the Rev. James Alexander Macdonald, of Castleton, in 1913, and he is survived by his widow, one son. and three daughters. There are four brothers. Dr. Bruce Mackenzie, Sir Clutha Mackenzie (Auckland), and Messrs David and Cusack Mackenzie, who are farming in the South Island. The funeral was held privately at a crematorium this afternoon. MR ROBERT GILKISON „ The death occurred this week of Mr Robert Gdkison, an authority on the early history of Otago, and author of Early Days m Central Otago,” ‘‘Earlv Days in Dunedin.” and "The Law of Goldmining in New Zealand.” Mr Gilkison, who was in his eightieth year was born in Glasgow, and was a nephew of James. Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd. He arrived in Dunedin in 1879, and was articled to the legal firm of Messrs Stewart and Denniston. He practised at Clyde for six years, and later took up practice in Dunedin in partnership with Mr- Charles White now of Wellington. ’ Mr Gilkison, who was secretary of the Otago Law Society, remained in practice until 1920. He was over-age for active service in the last war, but he served in France as a voluntary field secretary with the Young Men’s Christian Association. He took an active part in the public life of the city, and he was for eight vears a member of the City Council. He was the first chairman of the Public Library Committee, and he also served on the Otago Hospital Board. He was a founder and a former president of the Prison Reform Association, and he also took a keen interest in the proceedings of the Otago Institute, of which body he was also chairman for a time. He is survived by his wife, a daughter (Mrs Parr, of Masterton), and three sons, two of whom, both well-known alpinists, are resident in Dunedin. The other is engaged in legal practice in Wellington.