Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 150, 27 June 1945, Page 7

Obituary

MR. WILLIAM McKENZIE. PALMERSTON NORTH

The death on Monday of Mr. William McKenzie, of 272 Park Road, Palmerston North, removed a well-known citizen and a gentleman who figured prominently in journalistic circles in the Wairarapa towards the end of last century. He was 88 years of age. At the early age of nine years he became a printer’s “devil” on the Wairarapa Standard at Grey town. At the age of 23 he went to work on the Daily Times at Masterton and in 1891 purchased the Wairarapa Observer published in Carterton. Eleven years later he quit the editorial chair to take up farming at Aokautore near Palmerston North and in 1907 retired to Palmerston North taking up a number of secretaryships which included the Friesian Cattle Breeders’ Association, New Zealand Shcepbreeders’ Association, Chamber of Commerce, Employers’ Association, Manawatu Hunt, Manawatu Trotting Club, Caledoniau Society and Automobile Association (Manawatu). He also served a terra as President of the Manawatu A. and P. Association and was a Justice of the Peace. While living in the Wairarapa he figured prominently in rugby and was a Wairarapa cricket representative. He was also secretary for a while of the CartertonTaranaki Racing Club and Wairarapa Hunt Club. In latter years his main pastime was bowling, being a member of the Manawatu Club, Palmerston North. Mr. McKenzie was married twice, his second wife predeceasing him by a number of years. Members of the family surviving him are Miss H. F. McKenzie (Palmerston North), Mrs. B. Buchler ' (Dunedin), Mrs. E. Donald (Wellington), Mrs. L. L. Lovelock (Palmerston North) and Mr. Perey McKenzie (Geraldine), all of the first marriage; Mrs. I. Harris (Wellington), Mrs. M. Holmes (Wellington), Mrs. G. Cudby (Wellington), Messrs W. H. McKenzie (Auckland), H. R. McKenzie (Palmerston North), S. I. McKenzie (Palmerston North, now overseas with the Forces'), and Flight-Lieut. M. H. McKenzie (Palmerston North, also overseas with the R.N.Z.A.F.), of the second marriage. One daughter, Mrs. W. L Lovelock (Gisborue) predeceased him.