VETERAN OF TWO WARS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 30, 4 August 1926, Page 9

VETERAN OF TWO WARS

EIGHTY-FOUR YEARS IN NEW ZEALAND.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day. To be associated with New Zealand for 84 years was the record of Mr. William M'Kay, whose death occurred on Saturday at Patumahoe. Mr. M'Kay was 80 years of age, and was a veteran of both the Maori War and the Boer War. His life was one of unique interest. He arrived in Auckland with his parents on the ship Jane Gifford in October, 1842, when six years of age, and marked the occasion by falling into the harbour as the ship was coming up to her berth. However, he was safely rescued. In later years Mr. M'Kay was a well-known owner, trainer, and rider of racehorses, and he rode iv the First Grand.National Steeplechase in New Zealand. In his day he was a crack cross-country rider. Old-timers will remember him with such horses as Banjo, Medora, and Sailor Boy, and some of his finishes over the old AVaimate course are talked of to this day. Mr. M'Kay was hotelkeeping in Otago for over 35 years, and at one time had a pack of hounds and a string of hunters. He went in for all kinds of sport, and was always ready to help anything connected with sport. He was a splendid shot and a keen volunteer. He started several rifle clubs and mounted corps in Otago. He was a veteran of the Maori War, and at 64 years of age went through the South African War in Kitchener's Light Horse, and had a horse shot under him, and his hand and knee smashed. Mr. M'Kay had a great reception accorded to him in Palmerston when he returned from South Africa. The band paraded and nearly everyone in the town attended at the railway station to meet the. old. "veteran,"' who was carried shoulder high to a waiting vehicle, out of which "the boys" took the horses, and dragged it to the Town Hall. The hall was packed, and .when ho appeared on the platform with the Mayor he was greeted with ringing cheers. Mr. M'Kay was presented with a purse of sovereigns by the young people of the place, and was met and welcomed home by all the leading people of the district. It is a coincidence that his death occurred exactly 25 years later.

Tho coftin was draped with the Union Jack, and the "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside. Mrs. M'Kay died 32 years ago. A" brother, Mr. T. M'Kay, is still alive and well at .the age of 88 years, and the only surviving sister, Mrs. King, of Napier, is 78 years of age. Mr. M'Kay is survived by rive sons and two daughters. There are 32 grandchildren and •35 great-grandchildren.