OBITUARY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1546, 24 August 1886, Page 2

OBITUARY.

We regret to record the death of a gentleman who has for many years been a wellknown and respected resident, of Geraldine. Mr David McKenzie died at his residence, about a mile above Geraldine, between 3 and 4 o'clock on Sunday morning. Deceased has been suffering for a long time past from Bright's disease and dropsy, for which his medical attendants were able to give him but little relief. For some short time past, however, he appeared to be slightly improving, and hopes were entertained that the summer months would bring with them a return of better health. On Sunday morning, however, deceased felt worse, and at the time named got up and dressed. While passing from one room to another, he fell suddenly in the hall, and died

within a very short time. Mr McKenzie was a native of Scotland, and was born in Invernesshire in 1831. He came to the colonies in 1846, being one of a number of men who put their funds together and purohased a vessel, freighted her with a load of bricks, and sailed for Victoria. Arrived at Melbourne, the bricks were sold, and Mr McKenzie commenced contracting. He carried out several large contracts in Melbourne, and at one time was the owner of a station. Leaving Melbourne, Mr McKenzie went into the western districts, and from thence, in 1862, be came over to New Zealand. In 1863, the year after landing at Invercargill, he married, and, in partnership with his brother-in-law, carried out a large number of bridge and building contracts, both on the roads and railways. By some of these, owing to the failure of his employer*, he lost, heavily. From Invercargill he went to Lyttelton, where he was successful as a timber merchant, bringing his timber from Invercargill. While at Lyttelton he obtained the contract to erect the Government Landing Service at Timaru and for that purpose, removed there with his family. He also built the old "Cobb and Co.'s" stables in Timaru and other buildings. He left Timaru for Waimate for the purpose of sinking artesian wells on Messrs Sludhoime's property. While engaged at this, which again was not very fortunate, he purchased a half share in the bush and saw mill at Geraldine, since known as McKenzie's mill. It was about 20 years ago that he removed with his family to Geraldine and he has resided there ever since. In 1881 he suffered a severe loss in the burning of his private house. Mr McKenzie was at the time of his death Secretary to the Geraldine Domain Board and also to the Geraldine Racing Club, both of which Institutions will have cause to regret his loss. He had also been following the profession of an architect, many of the buildings in Geraldine having been put up under his supervision. He was an enthusiastic sportsman and was well-known among sporting men all over New Zealand, and the news of his death, though not unexpected, will certainly be received with much regret. The deceased leaves a widow and seven children, of whom the eldest, a daughter lately married, resides in Timaru.