OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23590, 29 August 1938, Page 10

OBITUARY

MR ARCHIBALD MdCECHNIE After an illness extending over three years, tne ueath occurred at his residence at Milton on Friday of Mr Archibald McKechnie, a former well-known and highly-esteemed figure in the business and public activities of that borougn, 'at me advanced age of 85 years He was born at Greenock, Scotland, in ...853, and was the only son of Mr and Mrs Archibald McKechnie. His father was captain of a sailing vessel trading between Liverpool and Melbourne, and his wife and their young family often accompanied him on his long sea voyages. Mr McKechnie was educated ai Campbelltown School, Scotland, and his mother, after the death of his father, emigrated to New Zealand with her young daughter and son, the latter then 17 years of age. They took up their residence at Milton about 1870, where Mr McKechnie had since continuously resided. After working as a butcher for Messrs Draper and Johnston, Mr McKechnie acquired the business in 1882, which he successfully conducted until his retirement from active labours in 1932, leasing the business to his sons, Messrs Archibald and James McKechnie. Outside his business activities, Mr McKechnie devoted considerable time to promoting the public and social welfare of the borough. Be served as a member of the local Borough Council, and also on the Toko High School Committee, Athenaeum Committee, and Bruce Building Society. He was one of the founders of Milton Bowling Club In the early Seventies, and served as a committeeman and president; He was appointed to the directorate of Bruce Woollen Mills during the war period, and continued in office until hie death In addition, he was a member of St. John’s Masonic Lodge, in which he attained the office of R.W.M., and had h ra en a member of Court Bruce A.O.F. for the lensthy period of 62 years. In 1877. Mr McKechnie married Miss Elizabeth Jane Whytock at the loca l Presbyterian Church, the ceremony being performed by the la f e Rev James Chisholm. He is_ survived by his widow and a family o* three sons and four daughters The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Fairfax cemetery, and was attended by a large cortege of mourners. The services were conducted bv the Rev. S. T, Nicholls, and the Foresters’ and Masonic services were also conducted at the graveside.