OBITUARY.
HON. R. J. MCKENZIE, M.L.C.
The Hon. Richard John Stevenson McKenzie, M.L.C., died yesterday morning In August Mr. McKenzie contracted influenza, and complications supervening upon a relapso caused his death, which occurred at his residence, Invermay House, Invermay.
Born in 1850 in the house in which he died, Mr. McKenzie was a son of the late Mr. . R. H. McKenzie, who carno out from Scotland a little while previously. His father curried on an extensivo wine and spirit and grocery business in Charlcs-stieet in the earlier days of Lnunceetoii, on the sito of what is now the Enfield Hotel. On the death of tho late Mr. Richard McKenzie tilo building was converted into the present hotel., After having tJio finishing touches to his education 'applied at tho Launceston Grammar School, he went into thj, employ of tho Bank of Van Diemen. Lund."Sub- sequently he joined tho staff of the late Mr. Samuel Tulloch, whero ho re- mained some time. His next move was to becomo a partner of the latojMr. Robert 'Gardner, mid 'for somo years the firm of Gardner and McKenzie was car- ried on. Upon the dissolution of tho partnership Mr. McKenzio retiied from, busings lit'o, and it was then that lie. turned his activities solely to the wol- tara of tho community. How well ho succeeded his return to tho Legisla- tivo Council but a few months aço is ample proof. Far back into the eight- ies lie was a member of tho Launceston
Marino Board, and ho used his energies for the betterment of the port, and in 1887,, 1890, and 1801 ho was elected as Master Warden, in which position ho was responsible for somo useful work. His first effort to become a. legislator .wlulo not successful was very near to being so. He opposed the Hon. R. S. Scott, Mr. A. Fowler, and others for the South Launceston seat, and was beaten by Mr. Fowler by 10 or 12 votes only. On March 20, 1906, ho was elected as member for North Esk in the Legislative Council, a seat ho held for three years, when he was returned to tho House of Assembly as one of the members for Bass. Threo years later ho was again included in tho successful six foi* this constituency, but in May, 1913, when tho boundaries of some of tho Council electorates were redefined ho was a candidate for Westmorland, and was elected. Last Moy ho showed in unmistakable fashion how well he had retained tho electors' confidence. In tho Legislative Council Mr. McKen- zie hold the position of Chairman of Committees, and only a few weeks ago ho resigned the post on account of ill liealth. In this capacity members're- garded Mr. McKenzie as able and im- partial, and right through his political carcor ho held tho respect of members of both Houses irrespective of, their political views. Unostentatious in his endeavours to promote the general wol fare, Mr. McKenzio's sympathies led him to tho pioneers, tho men outback, and h|s political Jifo was characterised by activity and persistency for the benefit of those of his constituents who were developing the country. Anxious at all times to receivo any suggestions that would improve the conditions un- der which thoso people struggled, ho seldom lost an opportunity ot urging their claims, with what degreo of suc- cess is apparent in his constituency, whore sottlers acknowledge what they owo to him. When the Selby Board of Advico was formed ho became chair- man, and occupied tho position until tho board ceased to exist on tho coming into operation of the Local Government Act. Conscientious and kindly Mr. McKenzie was generally respected and estcomed, and his demise will be re- gretted by thoso v*ho knew him. He married a daughter of the late Mr. James Muirhead, another Scotsman who came out to Tasmania, and his widow survives him. There aie three sons in the family, Messrs. R. J. Mc- Kenzie (Hobart) and A. C. McKenzie (Launceston), .and Engineer-Lieutenant A. J. McKenzie, who recently returned after lengthy service in tho Navy.