OBITUARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 10 June 1924, Page 7

OBITUARY.

LORD PIRIE. By Cable—Proa« Association—Copyright, Received 7.30 p.m., June 9. LONDON, June 8. The death is announced of Lord Pirie, while voyaging from Buenos Ayres to New York.

ROBERT MACKAYI On Juno 4 there passed away at Palmerston rNortii another oi Canterbury's pioneers. Though resident in tne North island for the past twenty years. Mr Robert Mackay was one oi Canterbury’s early settlers, and was widely known and esteemed in the Tirnaru and South Canterbury inland districts. Born and educated at Bogart/ Sutherlaridshire, in the highlands of Scotland, Mr Mackay camo to New Zealand with his young wife in 1863, and gained his first experience of Colonial life in the backcountry station of “Double Hill,’’ which he managed for Mr Joseph Palmer. After nine years of strenuous fiioneering work in the Rakaia Gorgo, 10 took over the managership of tho old Bain cliff station in South Canterbury for Mr Henry Hoare, London. Mr Mackay was well known as an authority on all matters relating to sheep, and was for many years a judge of sheep at the Dunedin shows. In 18S3 he went to Tasmania, and, as a result of the visit, lie introduced a flock of stud sheep «fc Raincliff, taking many prizes. In 1898 he removed to Christchurch, and later to the Mnnawatu district, as manager for Mr W. Akers, of the Riverdale Estate. Tho possibiliies of the flax plant next engaged his attention, and lie entered successfully into the industry, opening un much land. The last twelve years he spent with a land company iii Palmerston North, retiring two years ago. Mr M«ekay was a man nr wide mews, who had read and thought much, and though personally retiring, lie took a deep interest in public affairs. While at. Raincliff he was closely connected with county council and road board work, and to the Inst he took a keen interest, in current events. His wife predeceased him by twenty-seven years and he leaves a. famih’ of five daughters and three sons—Mrs W. Riven. of Panamn Stnt’on. Teibape. and Mrs Rive-i. Geraldine. Miss .Tessin Mackav, of Ohrisdclmrch. Mis« \’A« 1 s and Miss Georgina Mnchnv Messrs "Walter. John "’id Herbert Mackav.