OBITUARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17407, 4 November 1930, Page 5

OBITUARY

One of' the oldest and most highly esteemed settlers of the North, -Mr. Alexander Gordon McKenzie, died last week, aged 81). Born at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, he came to New Zealand in the sailing ship Spray in ]BO7. Two years later his family went to Kaurikohere and carved a home out of the bush. Mr. Alexander Mackenzie was a very successful farmer in the Otonga district, and was the first to introduce pedigree sheep into the North. He was instrumental in forming the Hikurangi Dairy Co., of which he was first chairman, and it was due to his energy and foresight that dairying in the district progressed so notably.

An old resident of Auckland, Mrs Blanche Gorric, died on October 2S at bor home in Claude road, Epsom, aged 70 years. She was the third daughter of the late Mr. Alfred Buckland, and was married to the late Mr. Henry Thomson Gorrie, who was connected with the auctioneering firm of Alfred Buckland and Sons. His death occurred in 192‘1. There are four daughters, the Hon. NTrs A. Borthwick, Mrs R. Jones, wife of SurgeonCommander Jones, Mrs H. Wostmacott, of England, and NT rs G. R. Buttle, of Epsom.

The death occurred last week ;d linage of 85 years of Mrs. Ann Steele, of Tamahere, near Hamilton. A native of Scotland, Mrs. Steele arrived in New Zealand with her parents in 1853, after having lived for six years in Australia. HeC father, the late Mr. Duncan MeNieol. bought a farm at Wairoa South, near Clevedon, and the family travelled there from Auckland !>v canoe, under the guidance of Maoris, who later built them a whare. On the outbreak of hostilities with the natives their home war. surrounded bv a stockade.