LATE MR. J. M. MENNIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18635, 29 April 1924, Page 8

LATE MR. J. M. MENNIE.

INTERESTING MEMORIES. WHEN SCOT MEETS SCOT. I _ [FROM OlJtt own CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, Mar. 20. The provincial papers give publicity to the death of Mr. J. M. Mennio, of Auckland, who has left benefactions amounting to £5000 for the poor of Turriff, Aberdeenshire, where he started life. The newspapers recall the fact that he was once an Aberdeenshire herd-boy, who was inspired by the reading of Captain Cook's voyages to become a world roamer. "In 1868," it is stated, "he left London for 'Melbourne. He journeyed all over the Antipodes and ultimately started business as a baker in the vicinity of Auckland. A fire in 1885 demolished his premises, and he moved into Auckland. Mr. Mennie fraternised with the Maoris and became an intimate friend of various chiefs. He was known amonj; them as ' Bekkity.' In Auckland he built up an immense business and accumulated a large fortune. In recent, years he travelled extensively in Europe and South America." A doctor of Aboync (Dr. G. B. Sleight), in a letter to The Aberdeen Press and Journal, recalls "an unforgotten and unforgettable day spent in that beautiful land (New Zealand). It happened on tho way from Auckland to R-otorua. Boarding the train ono glorious autumn morning just over 25 years ago, I entered a compartment in which were two men, one a little quiet man of 50 with a humorous mouth, the other a gigantic Maori of striking appearance. On my making some remark "about, the beauty of Auckland Harbour the little man said : —" Ay, man, and what pairt of Scotland do> ye come fae? " " 'Oh, Aberdeenshire,' I replied. " 'Ay, bit what pairt o' Aberdeenshire? ' "' Oh, a place you never heard of— Stricken.' " ' Eh, man, it's a lang time sin' I wis in Strichen.' "' But,' I said, ' where on earth do you belong to? ' " Mist Turra ! ' " Well, most of that long and most delightful day was spent as the train ran alone through the grand scenery of the WaiSato, in listening to the little man's recollections in Bonnie Scotland, in extolling (like all New Zealanders), his adopted country, and interspersed with that a constant flow of chaff with his Maori friend. The most amusing thing was to come. We all got out at the halfway station to have tea. In about ten minutes the guard blew his whistle as a signal that the train was to start. Said the little man—Keep her back till we have another cup of tea.' And he did ! As we 11 cared our journey's end he gave me his card— Mennie, and told me his companion was tho Maori ' King.' I gave him mine* and then he said—' Man, I kenned your father lang afore you were born ! ' " The world is a small place. In New Zealand there are many James Mennies, and there, they are the most honoured and valued men, for the Dominion recognises they are the very salt of the earth."