A LOSS TO AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15915, 12 May 1915, Page 6

A LOSS TO AUCKLAND.

FOUR days have passed since receipt of tho first news of the torpedoing of tho Lusitania. There seems now little room for hope that the loss of life has been less than the 1399 reported as missing. To Auckland the death-roll has a personal meaning, for among the passengers still unaccounted for was Mr. J. C. Macky, one of her best-known and most widely respected citizens. Dining his long life in Auckland, the city of his birth, Mr. Macky was more than the head of a successful business. He was, as far as his modest temperament would permit him, a leader in everything that tended to give moral health and vigour to the community. When civic work or patriotic work had to be done he was always ready to take a full share. Though he held firmly to his own views on matters of religion and politics, no man was ever more tolerant of the opinions and beliefs of others. His attitude on defence matters was always the sane one that we must be prepared. Holding strongly that military training had a moral and physical value to the community, as well as a defensive value to' the nation, Mr. Macky was one of the earliest advocates of universal training in New Zealand. In 1906 he took part in the formation of the National Defence League, and remained an active vice-president until the purpose of the League was attained. Since the outbreak of the present war Mr. Macky assisted all patriotic movements. In civic affairs his judgment was highly valued, he was esteemed by all citizens, and loved by his employees! His death, which must regretfully be accepted in the absence of reassuring news, is a distinct loss to ,the community of Auckland.