MISS JESSIE MACKAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 46, 23 August 1938, Page 11

MISS JESSIE MACKAY

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. One of the most honoured- figures in New Zealand literature, Miss Jessie Mackay, died this morning at the age. of 74.

Born at Rakaia Gorge, where her father had a sheep station, Miss Mackay spent the greater part of her life in Canterbury and found inspiration for much of -her finest poetry 'in the foothills of the country where she was born. The publication of her volume of verse, "Land of the Morning," more than a quarter of a century ago was an important event in the history of New Zealand literature, containing as it did some of the noblest verse that has yet been inspired by the scenery and traditions .of this young country.

For some years the late Miss Mackay taught at country schoofs in the Canterbury district and then turned to journalism, being lady editor of the onetime "Canterbury Times" from 1908 to 1917. . Her journalistic work was continued with a number of New Zealand and Australian papers and periodicals and with "Time, Tide" (London). In 1921-22 she paid a visit to Europe, continuing her .writing and maintaining her keen interest in feminist worE and the goal of Prohibition.

Miss Mackay's interests were widely flung and diverse. She was a strong feminist and was connected with the first National Council of Women formed in New Zealand. Some idea of her broadminded viewpoint may be gained from the fact that she, a Presbyterian, was appointed, some years ago, to represent the Irish Home Rule Party at a conference at Paris. Later it was acknowledged that she was by far the most able of the three delegates sent from the Dominion.

For some years past the late Miss Mackay had lived quietly at Cashmere Hills, Christchurch, but her pen was always ready to chanipion any just cause. Young writers and poets found in her a generous friend and critic and more, than one owes success to her assistance and advice.

Her best known volume of verse is 'Land of the Morning" (1909), though she published several other volumes, including "Poems" (1910), and "The Bride of the Rivers" (1926). Her poems have been included in every anthology of New Zealand verse and in many Australian, British, and American anthologies. Though she was born in New Zealand Miss Mackay retained the Celtic note'of her Highland forbears, and some of her poems, written in New Zealand, are quoted today in the Highlands of Scotland.