SCOTTISH PIONEER

Southland Times, Issue 22012, 11 May 1933, Page 8

SCOTTISH PIONEER

LATE MR HUGH MACKENZIE. AN OUTSTANDING FIGURE. « (From a Correspondent). Mr Hugh Mackenzie, of Walter Peak Station, Lake Wakatipu, whose death occurred at Dunedin last Saturday, was born at Ardmore, Sutherlandshire, Scotland, on October 19, 1847. As a young man he served in the Royal Navy, and at the time of his discharge through illness he was an officer on the Iron Duke. In 1874 he came out to New Zealand in the sailing ship Cathcart, bringing with him his wife (pee Anastasia Mackenzie Rossiter) whom he had married in Edinburgh the previous year. They disembarked at Port Chalmers and went to Oamaru. However, it was not long before Mr Mackenzie came to the Wakatipu district, where his brother Alex, (who had preceded him to New Zealand nine years previously) held Coronet Peak station. The journey from Invercargill to Kingston was made in a bullock waggon, the journey occupying six days. He entered into partnership with his brother in Coronet Peak and was associated with him in this Venture for five or six years. Together they experienced the disastrous snowstorm of 1878, when most of the high country flocks were almost wiped out. However, the brothers snow-raked for over three weeks, with the result that their shearing tally that season was 5000 out of a flock of 6000. In 1880 they sold the station and Mr Hugh Mackenzie crossed over the lake, where he undertook the mustering of the country lying between Birchdale (Greenstone) and Birchgrove (Halfway Bay) stations for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Bad times and the rabbit pest caused these runs to be abandoned. Two years later he bought the chance of the stragglers on Mt. Nicholas, following which he took up Walter Peak country and brought the sheep down there. They formed the nucleus of his flock. Mr Mackenzie was an outstanding figure among the pioneers who laid the foundations of the Otago settlement. He was endowed with all their grit and determination and readiness to endure hardship. The path he choose to follow towards his firm objective was steep and winding. Difficulties of every kind .and disappointments in plenty confronted him, but daunted by nothing he plodded on, bent on reaching his goal. The task was prodigious,- as every inch of the way had to he fought with unremitting toil. But he was one of the “giants” of his day and generation. Broad-breasted and strong, and blessed with an iron constitution, he applied himself with industry and earnest endeavour to the improvement of his property and the building up of his flocks. As his family grew up around him, with native wisdom and foresight he looked to the extension of his broad acres, and the adjoining properties—Mt. Nicholas and Fernhill stations—were acquired by him. The well-known partnership of Hugh Mackenzie and Sons was then formed.

All this country was suffering severely from the depredations of rabbits, and for the first years they were in possession of it an intensive campaign was carried on in the hope of exterminating the pest. This entailed the expenditure of a considerable amount of money, but it proved an investment worth while, as the carrying capacity of the land was brought up to the approved standard, and the run became in course of time one of the most valuable in the South Island. It now carries the largest Merino flock in the Dominion.

Mr Mackenzie was a first-class judge of stock, and he may be regarded as having been one of the most successful sheep-breeders in the Dominion. As the eternal surge of time and tide rolled on he was content to let his stalwart sons carry on the work of the station, all of them having served a lengthy apprenticeship to their father in all branches of the industry. In the old volunteering days Mr Mackenzie was an enthusiast in military matters, and his sons all followed in his footsteps. He was a true Imperialist, and he gave practical demonstration of his rare patriotism in the war days, when he not only encouraged his sons to join the colours, but gave large sums of money for the prosecution of the war to a satisfactory finish. Mr Mackenzie was also imbued with a rare spirit of citizenship. Though his isolation from the centres prevented his taking any active part in the life of the community, he was immensely liberal in his support of a diversity of organizations in the town and district. In recognition of this he was elected patron of several of them. The Wakatipu Defence Rifle Club had in him a tower of strength. In addition to promoting the welfare of the district club by his financial aid, he stimulated interest in a wider field when he donated the Mackenzie Challenge Shield for competition among riflemen in the Southland military district. In token of their appreciation of his unflagging interest and valuable support, the Wakatipu Club presented him three years ago with a framed enlarged photograph of the members. The Regatta Club also owes much to the

keen interest taken in its activities by Mr Mackenzie. He was a staunch Presbyterian and he closely identified himself with St. Andrew’s Church, Queenstown.

The deceased’s liberality was something more than remarkable; it was unique. Indeed, the extent of his pub-, lie and private benefactions fills an important chapter in his life’s history. Known hitherto only in a select University circle is the fact that the deceased was instrumental ten years ago in the chair of physics being retained at the Otago University through his endowing it with a substantial sum of money. Since that time it has been known as the Beverly-Mackenzie Bequest. His charity knew no barriers of race, creed or caste. No voice of distress, ever reached his ears in vain; no hand sought his aid without response. His love of little children was also manifested in recurring deeds of kindness. Hospitality was dispensed by him and those of his household with true Highland warmth and bounteousness. Ardmore has been for many years past an open house. Mr Mackenzie demonstrated throughout a long career that a firm faith is the best divinity, a good life the best philosophy, a clear conscience the best law, and honesty the best policy. He recognized the power of" truth, the reality of love and the sovereign wealth of character. In short, he kept faith with himself, with his fellow man, and with his God. Now the picturesque old Highland chieftain sleeps with his fathers . . . until the day dawns and the shadows flee away. At the annual meeting of the Southland Rifle Association last evening, the president (Dr A. F. Ritchie Crawford) made appreciative reference to the work done by the late Mr .Mackenzie. Elected a life-member of the association, he had done a tremendous amount to foster rifle shooting both in the Lakes District and throughout the province. Two years ago he had paid a visit to the Otatara range to witness the shooting for the Mackenzie Shield which had been presented by Hugh Mackenzie and Sons for competition by Southland rifle clubs. A motion of sympathy with his relatives was carried in silence.