A PIONEER PASSES

Southland Times, Issue 19346, 11 September 1924, Page 5

A PIONEER PASSES

DEATH OF DONALD MACKENZIE. Almost the last of Tapanui residents who were allured to the Gabriel’s Gully rush in 1861, in the person of the late Mr Donald Mackenzie, of Sussex street, passed away peacefully on September 1, aged 85 (says the Courier). Deceased left the Highlands of Scotland for Victoria in the late ’fifties, and spent some four years in the Western District, most of the time on a sheep station. The gold rush to Otago in June, 1861, attracted him, and with other young men he journeyed across the Tasman Sea to the new El Dorado. He soon left Gabriel’s Gully for his favourite occupation amongst the flocks and herds of Tapanui Station, then owned by the pioneer William Pinkerton. There he remained some years, and in 1863, with the son of the owner, drove fat bullocks to Queenstown, via the Elbow and Staircase track along the foot of the Remarkables. When the Pinkertons left for New Mexico, Donald Mackenzie purchased a waggon and horse team, and started as a public carrier, driving mostly for Stewart and Gow, from Clutha to their Tapanui store, and taking sawn timber as back loading. The track via Conical Hills and on to Waiwera was exceedingly rough, and passed north of Popotunoa Hill instead of south, after the road was formed by the Provincial Council, who had a dual task to perform by making a track up Clinton Gorge to Otarai, and thence to Mataura and Invercargill. This was the first coach road from Dunedin to the southern town. Mr Robert Currie and sister arrived in Otago in the late ’sixties, and Mr Mackenzie gained his bride. After a married life, during which two daughters were born and survived Mrs Mackenzie passed away. Deceased had acquired land in Glenkenich and farmed there and worked on land contracts for some years until old age rendered teaming impracticable. For some years he carried on the lighter occupation of fishmonger, and practically continued this business until within a fortnight of his end. The deceased was a very old member of Loyal Tapanui Lodge of Oddfellows, being initiated into the Order on July 20, 1875. Heart trouble and a fortnight’s confinement to the house saw the end of a familiar figure that will be missed in the daily life of the town. The Freemasons and Oddfellows showed their respect for deceased by turning out in goodly numbers at the funeral on Wednesday last, both taking part in the burial service, which was conducted by Rev S. E. Hill.