OBITUARY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VII, 17 August 1901, Page 322

OBITUARY.

THE LATE SIR JOHN McKENZIE. Just about the time we were going to press with our issue of last week, news eame of the death of Sir John McKenzie, the ex-Minister of Lands, at his home at Shag Point. Otago. The gad event was not unexpected altogether. The deceased gentleman had been in failing health for a considerable time. Indeed, it was the severe nature of his complaint that compelled him to retire from the Ministry and politics in 1599. He was a commanding figure in the history of the colony, and his reform of the land system of the colony—the great public work of his life—remains an enduring monument of his good sense and devotion to the agricultural interests of New Zealand. In Parliament and throughout the country the highest eulogiums have been passed on his character and work. Sir John McKenzie was a Scotch shepherd in Rosshire, and emigrated to Otago in 1560, where he settled upon a small farm. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1571; he was whip to the Stout-Vogel Ministry in 1554; and he became Minister of Lands and Immigration in the Ballance Government in .January. 1591, since which, in that and the Seddon Government, he continuallyheld the same office up to his retirement owing to ili-health. Sir John MeKenzie introduced, and got passed, "The Land for Settlements Aet" of 1592. which authorised the purchase from priva’e individuals of suitable properties for subdivision into small farms not exceeding 320 acres in extent. In March. 1591, he re-introduced with some modification, the original system of village-system, which was first begun on a small scale by Mr Rolleston in the provincial district of Canterbury in 1874. Sir John visited England. and underwent an operation there, and it then seemed that the result would be to considerably prolong his life, but no permanent improvement was obtained, and towards the end of 1899 he resigned his portfolio as Minister of Lands. Recently Sir John McKenzie was appointed a member of the Legislative Council, and during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York he was made a K.C.M.G., in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered to the colony.

THE LATE MR. J. S. KIDD, Great regret was expressed in business circles on Friday last when it became known that Mr J. S. Kidd, manager of the Auckland Tramways Company. had died somewhat unexpectedly from pneumonia. Mr Kidd had been suffering from a cold on the chest, but being anxious to attend to his business, he would net lay up. Deceased, who was 45 years of age, leaves a widow and seven children, one only a few weeks old. Mr Kidd well known in Oamaru and Otago generally. His brother and sister reside in Taranaki. THE LATE MR. EVERY MACLEAN The death of Mr Every Maclean, of Bleak House, Howiek. which took place on Monday, makes another gap in the fast dwindling ranks of the pioneer settlers of Auckland province, it must be more than half a century since Mr Every Maclean and his brother Robert began their strenuous career as colonial pioneers. The ■titers finally settled upon land in he East T nership as R. and E. Mmlealn they became known not only in Auckland b rt tbr;- ghout the colony as'successful and enterprising farmers and stock, importers and breeders* But in the early days when there wAs only a rough track into the infant H*y of Auckland; when the Tamaki river had to be crossed in a punt worked by a windlass and chain: when what are new smiling paddocks were covered with forest, or rough ti-tree and fern, the Ma lean brothers-like other stout-hearted **:t!ers had rough experience* and a hard life for some years. But they came of the hardworking. h’gh-spirited Devonshire Yeomanry stock, born farmers and

stock-breeders, and in a rotiuj toarntry bound to succeed in their natural calling. Gradually by industry and good farming methods Messrs IL and E. Maclean became wealthy agriculturists and land owners. Some of the. best land in the Tamaki district, such as the properties known as "Number One.” Greenhill, and Butrley Mauer, besides the Bleak House farm-and homestead came into their possession. They were the first importers ’<sh a considerable scale of pedigree Stock from England, and for years' their shorthorn and Hereford herds' were the best in New Zealand. They also imported English Leicester and Southdown sheep, and afterwards and their imported Utock was so well managed and looked after that it always preserved the typical excellences of the purebred English strains from which it came. During the Waikato war times Mr Every Maclean, athletic and a firstrate horseman, became the captain of a very serviceable troop of volunteer cavalry, and showed himself an active and capable officer. He was a prominent member of the old Auckland Agricultural Society, and was at one time a member of the Provincial Council. After the close of the Maori war Messrs B. and E. Maclean joined in the establishment of the New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Stock Company, and became interested in land speculations in the Waikato. which as many other cases did not turn out too profitable. Mr Robt, Maclean died several years ago, and now that his brother has followed him. those of the elder generation cannot but recall their kindly, genial nature, and their robust, manly. English character. Mr Every Maclean was unmarried, and during bis later years of failing health and strength was affectionately tended by his grand niece Miss Bailey, who resided with him at Bleak House.