Thomas Richard Barnett, 1866-17/6/1903.

Inquest at Mossburn.

An inquest was held at Mossburn on Thursday on the body of Thomas Barnett, Sir G. F. Johnson, acting-coroner, presiding. Deceased, who was employed as a farmhand by Mr. John Reid, farmer, had, during Wednesday, in company with another, been carting oats to the siding at Mossburn. They had made three trips, each time having several drinks at the hotel, besides carrying away with them on one occasion a bottle of beer and one of whisky. They started for home about 5.20 p.m., after Mr McCaughan had refused to supply them with more liquor. Mr Reid, about 6 p.m., thinking that the men were late, went out to investigate. He found the two teams, one with the dray overturned in the ditch some distance from the gate, and the other (Barnett's) team was quite entangled. After some search Corbett was found near the ditch some distance away in a helpless condition and quite unable to give any account of the circumstances. The tracks of the dray were followed, and about 18 or 20 chains away the body of Barnett was found on the ground with the head resting on the right arm, and blood flowing from mouth and nostrils. The medical evidence was that death was caused by concussion of the brain and subsequent exposure. The jury, returned a verdict of "accidental death." The acting-coroner stated that in his opinion the accident leading to Barnett's death was entirely due to excessive drinking.  -Southland Times, 22/6/1903.

The Mossburn Fatality

A LICENSEE BEFORE THE COURT,

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr S. E. McCarthy, SM., Archibald McCaughan was charged with, on the 17th June, being the licensee of the Railway Hotel, Mossburn, having unlawfully (1) Sold liquor to Thomas Barnett, who was already in a state of intoxication; (2) also to John Corbett, who was in a state of intoxication; (3) with permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises. — Inspector Mitchell prosecuted, and Mr J. Macalister defended. Accused pleaded "not guilty." Thy case arose out of the fatality which occurred at Mossburn on the 17th ult., resulting in the death of Thomas Barnett, and injuries to John Corbett.

Mr Macalister applied for an adjournment of the case. Although the information had been laid on the 9th inst.. the summons had not been served on the licensee until 10.20 p.m. last Saturday. At great difficulty and some personal risk, owing to the inclemency of the weather, he had managed to get to town on Monday, and consulted his solicitor about the defence. No time had been given to go into the case, which was a most important one. to the licensee. Counsel suggested that the case be adjourned till the 2nd at Lumsden. 

Inspector Mitchell admitted that the time was rather short, but the police should have been notified of the application earlier, so that the constable at Lumsden could have received instructions to countermand the subpoenas to witnesses. As it was, they were all present, and he suggested that their evidence for the prosecution be taken, counsel to waive the right to cross-examine at Lumsden if the case was adjourned there.

Mr Macalister said that he could not possibly have given notice in time to stop the witnesses. He  agreed to the course suggested by the Inspector, provided he had the right to cross-examine at Lumsden.

Inspector Mitchell stated the main facts to be proved in evidence, and called —

Detective McIlveney, who gave evidence from notes taken shortly after a conversation between accused, himself, and Constable Mathieson (Mr Macalister objecting). Accused said that he saw the men served with liquor in the morning, and did not see them again till 5 o clock in the evening at the hotel. He then called his mother out of the bar and locked it up, informing them that they would not get another drink that night. Barnett called Corbett to him, and they went away. Accused said he did not see anything wrong with the men; he refused them drink because he did not want to see them wasting their time. Accused said he was a good hearted man, though some other people did not say so. His mother was in charge of the bar during his absence, as he had no barman. Witness interviewed Mrs McCaughan in accused's presence, and she said that the men got one bottle of whisky in the morning, and a bottle of beer in the afternoon, besides drinks. Accused said that he could prove that there had been a runaway, but would not furnish the name of any person who had seen it.

John Corbett, farm labourer, in the employ of J. Reid, farmer, Mossburn, gave evidence that on Wednesday, June 17th, he was engaged with Thomas Barnett, now deceased, carting grain to the Mossburn railway station. Witness had two horses and Barnett a three-horse team, Barnett leading the way to and from the station. They took three loads, the first one in the morning between 9 and 10 o'clock. In company with two other men, named Roy and Stewart, they went over to the hotel, and had two drinks each of whisky, the defendant serving them. They then went back to the drays and unloaded. Witness then returned to the hotel with Barnett and a man named Ellis and they had one drink of whisky each; defendant's mother served them on this occasion. Witness bought a bottle of whisky from her, and they then returned to the paddock with their drays. They had a nip each out of the bottle with their lunch, loaded their drays, and before leaving for Mossburn had another nip each. Barnett then put the bottle away in the box of his dray, and they both drove back to Mossburn station, arriving there close on 12 o'clock. They went to the hotel again and Mrs McCaughan served them with another two drinks. Barnett also got a large bottle of beer, which they took back with them to the paddock, and drank there. Did not notice anything strange in Barnett's manner at that time; witness felt all right, but as if he had had a drink or two. They loaded their drays again and returned to Mossburn, reaching there about 4 p.m. or shortly after. Witness thought they went over to the hotel before unloading, and had a drink with two men named Duthie and Stewart, Mrs McCaughan again serving them. When they had a dray about half unloaded they were called over to the hotel again, and had one drink each with Duthie and Stewart. They then finished unloading and went back to the hotel, he could not say who with. They had two drinks as far as he could remember, Mrs McCaughan serving them. Could not remember how many drinks they had the last time, but about four in all. Saw the defendant in the passage of the hotel as they were about to leave. He locked up the bar and said that he would supply no more drink. Witness thought he was square enough, but could not say what state he was in; he was not sober. Did not take much notice of Barnett's condition. They went over to their drays a bout 5.15, and started for home. Barnett was in front with his team. There was a boiler stand at the railway to be taken to Mr Reid's farm, but witness could not say whose dray it was put in. He had only a hazy recollection of what took place after they left the hotel. Thought they both got into their drays to drive home. Could not say whether he stood up or sat down. Reid's farm was about one mile from the hotel. They had to go through five gates in all; deceased opened two of them on the way home. There was only one hotel in the district, about 100 yards from the railway station. The last witness saw of Barnett was when he was trying to open the second gate; noticed that he was not steady on his feet. Witness felt drunk at this time. Next remembers finding himself in bed in Reid's place, about 12 o'clock at night, and first became aware that his mate was dead. Did not remember having any drink on the way home. The road they were driving over was a good level one, and the horses were fairly quiet. Witness remembered getting out of his dray somehow or other, and had a faint recollection of the wheel going over him. This took place at the fourth gate leading to Reid's house. He had been in the hospital owing to his ribs being broken. Witness gave evidence at the inquest, at which defendant was present. Had a conversation with defendant next day. Defendant remarked that witness had said enough to put him away and make a case of it; that if all the witnesses were like witness and Reid he would go' sky high. Witness said he had to speak the truth, and had done it as far as he could. The bottle of whisky produced was similar to the one purchased at the hotel. When last supplied he was in a state of intoxication, on the drunken side. 

To Mr Macalister: Had driven horses before, but was not regularly employed at it. Barnett was going away for a holiday on the following Friday, and they were trying to get all the stacks carted to the station. There were usually three trips made a day. The horses had never run away in witness' time; a year ago the leaders had run away when they were tied behind a cart. These were the horses that Barnett had. Would not call them dangerous horses. Had nine drinks at the hotel that day, besides the bottle of whisky and beer. Could not swear positively as to what drinks Barnett had, or whether he had any other bottle of whisky. Would swear that Barnett had drink on the lost occasion; thought it was whisky. Before leaving the station they made everything there secure. Had heard that Mr Chewings had spoken to the licensee about keeping men from their work. The third gate had been burst open the wrong way could not say that the horses ran away, but it was quite possible they did. After the inquest McCaughan said that witness had said too much, but that he only wanted him to tell the truth. 

John Hood, railway ganger, and J. A. Beer, caretaker: of the Mossburn railway shed, gave evidence. They had noticed that Corbett and Barnett were slightly under the influence of liquor, but considered them capable of looking after themselves.

J Reid, farmer, gave evidence as to the finding of the body of Barnett in the ditch, and the apparent insobriety of Corbett at the time of the occurrence. T. McKenzie, labourer, gave evidence on somewhat similar lines. 

The Coroner's notes at the inquest were put in by Mr G. F, Johnson, acting-coroner; and the case was adjourned till Monday next, at Invercargill, Mr Macalister withdrawing the application for an adjournment to Lumsden.  -Southland Times, 15/7/1903.

POLICE COURT CASES

The Mossburn Case. 

Archibald McCaughan, licensee of the Mossburn Railway Hotel, was charged with selling drink to a person already intoxicated, and with permitting drunkenness on his premises. In this case the evidence previously taken showed that two men named Barnett and Corbett had been drinking at the hotel, and that after leaving there Barnett was killed in a dray accident and Corbett severely injured. The Magistrate, in giving judgment on Monday, found that there bad been a sale to Corbett while drunk, and convicted on this, fining defendant £2, with costs £20 16s — license to be endorsed. Mr J. Macalister stated that the defendant would appeal on the ground that no proof had been given that Mossburn was in a licensing district.   -Southern Cross, 1/8/1903.

Balfour Cemetery.

40935 Private Walter Herbert Grant, 21/1/1888-19/9/1925.

Walter Grant did not have a pleasant war.  He was admitted to hospital in May of 1917 with influenza then in November, 1917 with "trench fever, severe" - the fever being a bacterial disease spread by lice which was endemic in the Great War front lines.  The condition was rarely life-threatening, but between 20 to 30% of the British Army were affected with it and were put out of action by it.  His condition is described as "severe" in a newspaper list on 29/11/1917.  He returned to New Zealand in August, 1919.

Walter's army records also show he was afflicted by "Potts' disease" - a new one on me.  Potts' is a tubercular condition of the spine in which the tb has migrated from the lungs.  It can cause kyphosis - a hunchbacked collapse of the vertebrae.  His records do not specify that he was "gassed" as recorded in the 1925 newspaper report of his death but survivors of gas attacks often suffered from the lasting side effects for the rest of their lives - however long or short a time that was.

PERSONAL

The death occurred at Gore on Saturday of Mr Walter Henderson Grant, second son of Mr and Mrs Robert Grant, of Balfour (says the Southland Times). Deceased, who was born at Balfour 38 years ago, enlisted with the 22nd reinforcements, having previously managed his father's farm at Balfour. He served in France and returned to the Dominion in August, 1919. He was gassed at the war, and since that time had been practically an invalid being in hospital in the Old Country, at Dunedin, and at Gore. He was always of a quiet and retiring disposition and during the whole of his long illness showed great fortitude. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out to the bereaved family. Deceased was buried with military honours at Balfour yesterday.   -Otago Daily Times, 23/9/1925.

Balfour Cemetery.

William and Walter MacKenzie - two brothers, two very different ends.

Queenstown Cemetery.

Our Queenstown correspondent telegraphs:— "It is feared that William Mackenzie, son of Hugh Mackenzie, of Walter Peak Station, has met with an accident on the upper slopes of the mountain. The young man, who was out after sheep, was expected at the Beach Bay homestead on Wednesday afternoon. As he did not return a search party set out at 8 o'clock in the evening, to find that a landslip had occurred on the upper slopes. Here the footsteps, which had been followed so far, ended, and it would appear that the young man has been buried. There is no sign of his four dogs. Two search parties crossed the lake from Queenstown this (Thursday) morning, but there is no news of a discovery."  -Otago Daily Times, 10/8/1906.

WALTER PEAK FATALITY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) QUEENSTOWN, August 10. Twenty men were engaged all yesterday in digging away the snowslip on Walter Peak, and at 5 o'clock, they discovered the body of William MacKenzie, who was buried by a landslide on the upper slopes of the peak. Life was extinct. The slip had started close to the summit, and the body was found buried in 2ft of snow more than half a mile down the mountain from where the fall overtook the deceased. Some three chains of ice and frozen snow were cut away with axes and spades before the party was successful. The deceased was 21 years of age. He was out after sheep, and was expected at the Beach Bay homestead on the afternoon of August 8. Deceased was a son of Hugh MacKenzie, of Walter Peak Station.  -Otago Witness, 15/8/1906.

LAKE COUNTY

Tribute of Respect. — I notice that the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers paid a very graceful tribute of respect to their late comrade, Private William Mackenzie, the victim of the sad fatality on Walter Peak. The annual social, which was to have been held last week, was postponed to September 22 next out of respect to his memory.  -Otago Witness, 22/8/1906.

William, as a member of the Rifle Volunteers, would have gone with is brother, Walter, to the War when it began in late 1914.  Walter went and "died with his face to the foe."

Goldfields Challenge Shield Competition.

QUEENSTOWN RIFLES WIN THE SHIELD.

The seventh annual competition for the challenge shield took place at the Arrow range on Tuesday last, 17th March. As usual the competitors were confined to the four Goldfields Volunteer Corps. The weather was the worst that has been experienced at these contests. Strong, tricky winds prevailed for the greater part of the day and heavy rain fell late in the afternoon. For this reason the shooting was the poorest that has been recorded at the matches since they were inaugurated. It is pleasing to state that the Queenstown Rifles for the second time pulled off the shield. The win was all the more meritorious because one of the original members of the team, Lieut. J. A. Reid, an expert marksman, was unable to be present. His place was taken by Sergt. Kelly, who had charge of the team. The experience gained at Trentham by the major portion of the home team no doubt stood them in good stead in the long ranges under such severe weather conditions as stated above. The Alexandra Rifles team, which was leading on the first two ranges by 19 points from Queenstown and Cromwell, had their majority wiped out at the 600 yds range and were topped by 19 points by the local team. At the 200 yds range Alexandra was leading by 16 points and also gained a further advantage at the 500 yds mound, but at the 600 yards distance the Queenstown men made a wonderful recovery, they scoring 38 points more than the Alexandra team and 13 more than the Cromwell team. At 200 yds, Pte S. Short (Alexandra), put up the possible, winning the range prize, Pte. Walter Mackenzie (Q.R.V.) being runner up with 34. The last-named made the highest aggregate, his score, 92, being a most remarkable one for so young a shot and considering the severe weather conditions.   -Lake Wakatip Mail, 24/3/1908.

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Volunteers from Arrow. 

At a parade of the Arrow Troop, Fifth Regiment Mounted Rifles, held on Monday evening Lieut. Shand announced that he was prepared to receive applications in connection with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Lieut. Shand read the conditions of enrolment, the principal clauses of which were as follow: - 

The conditions of the agreement or attestation will be to serve abroad out of New Zealand for the duration of the war and for such longer period as is required to convey the troops home. 

No-one is to be included who has not reached the age of twenty years, and preference is to be given to single men.

 All ranks will be required to undergo a medical examination before signing the attestation form, and no one will be accepted whose height is not 5ft 4in,and whose weight exceeds 12 stone, except in special cases. 

Pay and allowances for all ranks will be at the rate of pay of the N Z. Territorial Forces when in annual camp. 

Volunteers for Mounted Rifles must bring a suitable horse. These horses will be inspected by a veterinary officer at Squadron Headquarters before being brought to place of mobilisation. On being passed by the Regimental Board the horse will be paid for at market value — such value should not exceed £20. Horses for Mounted Rifles must be from 4 to 7 years of age and practically sound, from 14 1/2 to 15 1/2 hands in height. 

Each sub-unit will mobilise at its own headquarters and after completion of the mobilisation those sub-units will concentrate at Tahuna Park, Dunedin. At the conclusion of the parade seven men volunteered for service and signed the necessary applications for enrolment. 

The Queenstown Contingent.

The following members of B. Company, Tenth Regiment, have been accepted for service with the Expeditionary Force:— Lieut. Walter Mackenzie, Privates Robert F. Anderson, A. F. Sutherland, Ernest Cable, M. O. Pascoe, J. Oliphant, B. H. Anderson, and Norman Ross. Two members of the Post and Telegraph Corps, and a number of civilians have also volunteered for service. The men will leave to-morrow for Oamaru where they will go into camp temporarily.  -Lake County Press, 14/8/1914.

'OUR BOYS' AT THE FRONT

LETTER FROM Pte. PASCOE. 

Private Merle O. Pascoe, writing to the editor of this journal from Gallipoli under date 1st July, 1915, says: I don't intend to give you any details of the sad losses Queenstown has sustained as I suppose you have already been informed: also as regards their brilliant achievements. Any way that sort of correspondence is strictly censored and no doubt very rightly too, as the imagination of some would give rise to all sorts of contradictions and misunderstandings when it appears in print. My main object in writing you is to let you know that it has been my pleasure to come into contact with some of the old lads lately. For the past few weeks they have been relieving in the trenches and I often take a run over to see them. I had a good chat with 1st Lieut. Walter Mackenzie, who had some very exciting experiences to relate, but altho' enjoying the best of health, one could easily see that he was deeply moved and grieved at the loss of those of his more intimate acquaintances. Corp. Griffiths, Privates Oliphant and A. McBride are in grand spirits, but Pte. Scot, who has been doing a lot of specially strenuous work, seemed to be pretty well run down, altho' he would not complain and expressed the hope of soon getting another opportunity of coming to close quarters with the enemy. You would hardly credit the light-heartedness with which the Australasians treat this game. The English soldiers I have seen just dote on them and their courage and have given them the title of "White Ghurkas." But the Indian transport workers in their turn can't understand their ways at all. Thus the Indians, a good many of whom have been to France, speak of them: "English, all the same Indian. Turkey shell comes along, bang: he get down in dug-out, cover up head. Australia! he lift up head, say: 'Hooray!' (you hear a few colonial phrases I don't care about repealing) have another go." 

Kindly remember me to any of my old acquaintances you may meet and let them know that I am in the best of health and enjoying a good rest from the trenches, but may have to return at any moment. 

Private Pascoe is serving with the Australian forces, being connected with the 16th Battalion, 4th Brigade.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 31/8/1915.

Personal

Mrs P. Mackenzie, wife of Lieut. Mackenzie, of Walter Peak, Lake Wakatipu, has received a letter from a lady friend whose husband was wounded at the Dardanelles, and who was in the company of Lieut. Walter Mackenzie when he was cut down. The statements account most conclusively for our brave hero. The writer says: "I made enquiries from tour Oamaru men of the main body as to what happened to Lieut. W. Mackenzie, and I regret to tell you that immediately I asked: 'Did you know Lieut. Mackenzie?' the answer was: 'Yes, poor Watty!' One boy with tears in his eyes and choking voice described the nature of his death, and said he was one of the whitest officers we had." It seems, says the writer, that Lieut. Mackenzie was one of the many who went out with the advance on the fatal 8th August, when not one of the officers survived. He was seen by these men lying close by Major Statham and Sergt-Major Porteous. The reason no record is available of this awful tragedy was that not one officer of that party lived to take the record and the only information received was from the men who saw the dead and wounded and made notes at the time.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 23/11/1915.

Walter's cause of death is noted in his Army record as "Killed in action (result of C of E)." Another note states "Mortally wounded."

  This would indicate that there his body was not recovered for burial and that witnesses were able to provide enough details to a Court of Enquiry for a  verdict to be pronounced.

MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING

A pleasant function look place at the railway miniature rifle range on Monday evening, when a handsome silver cup in memory of Lieutenant Walter Mackenzie was presented to the Returned Soldiers’ Miniature Rifle Club by Major P. Mackenzie. There was a good muster of members. 

In handing over the cup to the club Major Mackenzie said the club was taking a step in the right direction in encouraging members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association to take up the sport. It was a branch of sport which he was very desirous of fostering. He hoped that in the near future the club would go further and take its place oi the outside range. With the membership it had there was no reason why the club should not meet the world. In conclusion, the speaker made the stipulation that the cup should not be won outright.n

Mr P. L. Paterson accepted the cup on behalf of the club, and thanked Major Mackenzie for his gift. Major A. S. falconer, vice-president of the club, also spoke, he referred to his associations with Lieutenant Mackenzie, under whom he had served, and also spoke of his excellent service on Gallipoli. The cup will be known as the Lieutenant Walter Mackenzie Memorial Challenge Cup.   -Evening Star, 5/5/1929.

Queenstown Cemetery.

Thomas Patrick Lynch 1908-19/6/1942.

TRAGIC DEATH

A sad and tragic accident occurred at the Head of Lake on Friday last involving the death of Mr Thomas Patrick Lynch, eldest son of Mrs G. Lynch and the late Patrick Lynch. The deceased, who has been in the employ of the Lake County Council for the last eighteen months, on the day of his death was driving a grader from Glenorchy to Paradise in the evening. Some six chains before reaching the Earnslaw bridge the grader, in travelling down hill, apparently went over the left-hand side of the road at a turn and down a 12ft bank, landing on its wheels. It is conjectured that deceased sustained the full weight of the grader when it toppled over and was killed outright. Nothing was known of the tragedy until mid-day on Saturday when a passer-by saw the vehicle, and the body was subsequently discovered. The police were advised of the fatality on Saturday and a launch proceeded to the Head of Lake late on Saturday afternoon conveying Constable Dougherty and the County inspector, Mr T. S. Lonsdale. The body was brought to Queenstown early on Sunday morning. 

The late Mr Lynch was a native of the district and was 34 years of age. He spent the greater part of his life at Sandhills, Shotover, where he carried on mining with his late father. Of an unassuming and kindly nature, Tom Lynch was very well liked and respected by his fellow men. He was, moreover, a conscientious and splendid worker. The sympathy of the whole district is tendered to the sorrowing mother and his three brothers, James, Frank, who is a prisoner of war, and Kevin, who is studying in America. 

The funeral took place on Monday last. In the morning Requiem Mass was held in St. Joseph’s Church and the cortege left the latter in the afternoon for the Queenstown cemetery. A large number of town and district people attended the funeral, the last rites being performed by the Rev. Father Martin, assisted by Rev. Father Fitzgibbon. The members of the Holy Name Society were present at the graveside as a mark of respect. A guard of honour was formed inside the cemetery gate by the local Homeguardsmen.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 25/6/1942.

Queenstown Cemetery.

Daniel McKenzie, 1836-14/2/1920.

OBITUARY.

DANIEL McKENZIE

AGED 83

One of the oldest residents of Wakatipu, Mr Daniel McKenzie, Glenorchy, passed away at the Lake County Hospital on Saturday afternoon. Deceased gentleman, who was 83 years of age, had enjoyed perfect health practically all his life until about five months ago, when he was attacked by a malignant disease, which ran its course very quickly and carried him off. The Late Mr McKenzie was a native of Creif, Perthshire, Scotland. When he reached manhood he decided to embark for the colonies, and, taking passage in the Barque Geelog, he arrived in New Zealand about the year 1861 or 62. 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 schoolteaching for two years. At this time certain interest was centering 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. Mr 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. It was he that conducted the party on the search for the late Mr Stewart Dewar (at that time postmaster at Queenstown) and Mr Donald Keith who were 'bushed' on their way over to Martins Bay, the latter being past resuscitation when found by the party at the junction of the Greenstone and Lake Harris tracks. About seventeen years ago Mr McKenzie and his wife look up their residence at Glenorchy, where they have lived in retirement ever since. Two years ago the old couple celebrated their golden wedding, both being then hale and hearty.

The late Mr McKenzie was a sterling old gentleman. 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 gently 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 five, —three sons, Messrs D. J. McKenzie (Glenorchy), Malcolm and Hugh McKenzie (Martins Bay), and two daughters, Mrs Joseph Cuttance (Okuru, South Westland) and Mrs Peter Mackenzie (Queenstown). There are also 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grand children. The widow and family will have the sympathy of the people of Wakatipu in their bereavement.

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, when the remains were conveyed from St. Joseph's Church to the Queenstown cemetery. The Rev. Father Woods was the officiating priest.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 17/2/1920.

Life Was Raw at Martins Bay

Among the pioneer settlements of New Zealand few can have involved greater hardships for the original white inhabitants than those located between Milford Sound and Jackson’s Bay, on the west coast of the South Island. In this twentieth century, with all its advantages of easy communication, it is doubtful whether any number of new settlers, in the event of a large scale immigration scheme, could he induced to settle in that inhospitable region, but 70 or more years ago there were not a few white families there. The experiences of those people are related in graphic style by Mrs Peter Mackenzie, of Queenstown, in ‘Pioneers of Martin’s Bay,’ the latest of the growing list of publications by the Southland Historical Committee. 

With land available in almost all parts of the country almost for the asking in the ’sixties, Daniel McKenzie, a Scottish journalist, father of the writer, chose to find a home for himself and infant children in the far south of Westland. It meant almost incredible hardships. His wife joined him at Jackson's Bay in a partly-built house, but after a year he could see no prospect of development, and he moved 50 miles down the coast to Martin’s Bay. The family, their belongings, and cattle were left stranded at Big Bay, 12 miles from their new home, and had to go on by whaleboat. Because milk was urgently needed for an infant boy, husband and wife spent three weeks cutting a track through the bush to bring the cattle down, but eventually found that the cow on which they had pinned their hopes was dry, and Mrs Mackenzie writes that “in consequence Malcolm was never so strong as the rest of us.” 

Women of the present generation will hardly credit some of the tales the writer tells so simply and effectively. For instance, the birth of her young brother in a flooded house without any assistance for the mother, while the father was struggling through a flooded countryside to seek the aid of the nearest woman neighbour from miles away, seems almost impossible. It is a book in which tragedy is related in a matter-of-fact style — as it was probably accepted in those days and conditions — and it gives a vivid picture of pioneering life in the raw. 

The writer made her first trip out to civilisation — Queenstown — when she was 13. The journey on foot occupied 10 days, and their provisions were long exhausted before she and her father reached Lake Wakatipu, and the child went to hospital instead of to school. It was a life of privation and loneliness, particularly for women, who often did not see others of their sex for a year or more. Their spirit must he admired, but one cannot help asking whether it was necessary in this young country. The book is well produced and illustrated, and is a valuable record of its times.   -Evening Star, 23/8/1947.

Queenstown Cemetery.

Petrea Hansen 22/4/1866-27/11/1896.

The remains of the young wife of Mr Jans Hansen, a settler at Garston, were brought up by steamer on Monday, and on Tuesday was conveyed to the Frankton Cemetery, followed by a well-attended cortege of friends. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. D. Ross, of the Presbyterian Church.  -Lake wakatip Mail, 3/12/1896.

Frankton Cemetery.

Patrick Egan, 1846(?)-5/8/1886.

A correspondent, telegraphing us from Skippers Point, thus refers to a melancholy accident to an old miner: — "A fatal mining accident occurred in the Gallant Tipperary mine this afternoon. Patrick Egan was taking out a truck of mullock, when, by some means, the truck tipped up and completely buried him. He was not found by his mates until some half-an-hour after the occurrence, when he was taken out quite dead."  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 6/8/1886.

Frankton Cemetery.