Acknowledging His Debt to Rotary

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 4

Acknowledging His Debt to Rotary

HANDSOME GIFT BY MR J. R. Mckenzie Par Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 22. The sum of £10,01)0 us a fund, the income of which is to be devoted to the betterment of poor boys in Wellington and Christchurch, has been giveu by Mr. J. R. McKenzie for administration by the Rotary clubs of the two cities. There was a thunder of applause at the New Zealand District Conference of Rotary Clubs this morning when the announcement was made by the District Governor. The applause was renewed when Mr. McKenzie was called to the platform by the District Governor. "I mako this gift as an acknowledgment to Rotary," said Mr. McKenzie. "I have been a member of the Rotary Clubs of Wellington and Christchurch for some years under some presidents who have been excellent men, and I would like to acknowledge the debt that I feel personally to Rotary throughout the world. Rotary is working for the betterment of boys. The boys of to day will guide our destinies to-morrow. I give grateful acknowledgment to the work of the Boy Scouts, the Y.M.C.A., and the Crippled Children's Society, but I feel there is still something to be done." Mr. John Robert McKenzie, chairman of directors, J. R. McKenzie, Ltd., was born at Yarrawalla, Victoria, in 1876. He wras a son of Mr. Hugh and Susan (nee Smiley) McKenzie, both of Victoria, Australia, and was educated at Melbourne. He commenced his business career with Jacobs, Hart and'Co., Melbourne, in 1890-1900, and established his own business as a fancy goods importer at Melbourne and Hobart id 1900. He came to Christchurch in 1903, and founded the present business with head office at Dunedin, which was transferred to Wellington in. 1906. He married Miss Annie May Wrigley, only daughter of Mr. S. H. Wrigley, of Sanson, New Zoaland, in 1918, and has two sons. Mr. McKenzie is a well-known breeder and owner of trotters with which he lias won a number of major events, and is fond of golf, fishing, and shooting.