OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 4 March 1920, Page 23

OBITUARY

MR. DANIEL McKENZIE, GLENORCHY. One of the oldest residents, of the Wakatipu district in the person of Mr. Daniel McKenzie, Glenorchy, passed away at the Lake County Hospital on Saturday, February 28 (says the Wakatipu Mail). Deceased, who was 83 years of age, had enjoyed perfect health practically all his life until about five months ago, when he was attacked by an illness to which he speedily succumbed. The late Mr. McKenzie was a natice of Creif, Perthshire, Scotland. When he reached manhood he decided to embark for the colonies, and, taking passage in the barque Geelong, he arrived in New Zealand about the year 1861 or 1862. He first turned his attention to, farming in Dunedin, but after a few years he went over to Hokitika and joined the staff of the Hokitika Times newspaper, he having served his apprenticeship in a printing and stationery business in Scotland. In 1868 Mr. McKenzie married Miss Margaret McKenna at Hokitika. After a time the young couple went to Jacksons Bay, where Mr. McKenzie undertook school teaching for two years. At this time certain interest was centred in Martins Bay, so deceased decided to go there and take up land with the object of cattle-raising. As showing that there was a fair amount of settlement at the Coast in those days, there’ was a monthly steamer to Martins Bay and also an overland mail to and from Queenstown via the Greenstone, which gave the residents a fortnightly service. The latter had of course to be “swagged,” as there was no track then. Air. McKenzie used to make periodical visits to the Head of Lake Wakatipu in connection with his trading, and his long residence of 27 years at the Bay made him very familiar with that big tract of country which lies between Wakatipu and the West Coast. About 17 years ago Mr. McKenzie and his wife took up their residence at Glenorchy, where they had lived in retirement ever since. Two years ago the old couple celebrated their golden wedding, both being then hale and hearty. The late Air. McKenzie was a sterling pioneer settler. In his day he experienced many of the vicissitudes of life in the stirring times of the early colonisation of New Zealand, but, as with so many of his fellow-pioneers, these hardships but served to develop his grit and strengthen his character. He was possessed of a gentle, placid disposition and kindly nature, was hospitable and open-handed, and at all times proved himself a faithful friend. Deceased is survived by his wife and a family of —three sons, Messrs. D. J. McKenzie (Glenorchy), Malcolm and Hugh McKenzie (Martins Bay), and two daughters, Airs. Joseph Cuttance (Okura, South Westland) and Mrs. Peter Mackenzie (Queenstown). There are also 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The widow and family have the sympathy of the people of Wakatipu in their bereavement. The funeral took place from St. Joseph’s Church to the Queenstown Cemetery. The Rev. Father Woods was the officiating priest at the interment.—R.I.P.