The death of Professor Hugh Mackenzie, M.A., C.M.G., makes the second break in the ranks of the four original professors of Victoria College. Professor MacLaurin,(the youngest and perhaps the most intellectually gifted of the four) having died in 1920 after a distinguished career as President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Mackenzie was associated with Victoria University College as Professor of English Language and Literature until his retirement in 1936, though his resignation of his chair by no means put an end to his interest in and connection with the College. He was appointed Emeritus Professor of the College Council in 1937, and as a mark of appreciation of his services to University education he was promoted to the order of C.M.G. shortly after his retirement.

He was born in Ross-shire and belonged to a large family, several members of which had come to New Zealand in 1899. One of these, the Hon. John Mackenzie, will always be remembered for the work he did in connection with land settlement in the country.

After some years spent at the famous classical school—Aberdeen Grammar School—Professor Mackenzie transferred himself to St. Andrews University, where after distinguishing himself in the study of Literature and Philosophy he graduated M.A. in 1886, though he continued his studies there as a postgraduate student and as a member of the honours class in Greek came in contact with the writer, who was acting as assistant to the Professor of Greek at the time. The intervening years before his appointment to his chair and his departure for New Zealand in the old "Kaikoura," along with two other members of the original staff, he spent in St. Andrews in study, and in scholastic and literary work. He was thus well equipped for the work of the chair to which he was appointed. He never abandoned his interest in Philosophy, and for several years he lectured on the subject at Victoria College until the improved finances of the College enabled somewhat more adequate provision to be made for the teaching of that and other subjects.

As a scholar, Professor Mackenzie kept himself well abreast of what was from time to time written on his subject; his extensive library is the evidence of this. If he was unable to giveyou on the spur of the moment the information you required, he was as a rule able to tell you where you could get it. If he had a weakness it was excessive reverence for his authorities and quotation from them. This fact is very marked in the introductory lecture which he delivered at the opening of the College. The four lectures then delivered were published at the time and have always appeared to me to be very characteristic of their composers. The same tendency is shown in his frequent use of the expression "credible" or "approved authority." If these words appeared in a letter to the daily press, it was fairly safe to conclude that the letter emanated from him.

The students of the College have never had a professor more devoted to their interests than Professor Mackenzie. He was unsparing of himself in furthering their studies and his kindly nature made him most approachable. Nor, did his interest in his students end with their attendance at the College. He kept in touch with their careers, and if one was in a difficulty about the residence or position of a former student a reference to him in most cases produced the desired information.

There are some people who though not perhaps striking or original conversationalists themselves are the cause and centre of conversation by others. This combined with his Highland hospitality and geniality made his house in Kelburn Parade a gathering place for professors and students, and if one looked in upon him about four o'clock one was sure to find some other people there. He had an excellent memory for details, a sense of humour, and an extensive stock of recollections and anecdotes about people which he would bring out when apposite to the occasion. He was intimately known and entirely trusted by a circle of friends, and for myself I can say that in addition to my admiration for his honesty and good nature, I have to thank him for much wise and sound advice. In saying this, I feel sure that I am expressing the opinion of all who knew him.

Professor Mackenzie was an unflinching friend of liberty and a hater of all attempts to curb the free expression of opinion. Such public action as he took was in this direction. Though advanced in his views in most directions and a convinced champion of religious freedom—he had in him an element of Scotch caution and conservatism and only gave a half-hearted support to some of the changes which have in recent years taken place in the University of New Zealand.

Such weaknesses as Professor Mackenzie had were on the surface, for he was sound to the core, a man of whom Prior might have said, "Be to his merits kind and to his faults, whate'er they are, be blind."

J.R.B

Hugh and Annie had 9 children. Two children died in 1902 with meningitis.

Professor Hugh was predeceased by his wife – (Killed by train while walking on the tracks between Ngaio and Khandallah) in 1933, and he is survived by 2 daughters, Annie (Mrs T Hall) and Netta, and 5 sons: James (Stewart), Hugo, Charles, Fraser and Robert (Craig).

Wellington Scots Association Appreciation

The passing of Professor Hugh MacKenzie will be regretted by none more than the Highland Community of this city. A native of Ross-shire, his love for the Homeland and the language of his fathers never waned. His half-brother, Sir John MacKenzie, the greatest and most outstanding Minister of Lands this country has ever been blessed with, was one of the pioneers of the Dominion. His description of his adopted country was the reason for the then young professor leaving his position in the Old Country to become one of the foundation professors at Victoria College.

During his long residence here, in the midst of a very busy life, his interest in Gaeldom and what he loved to call Celtic Scotland remained keen. He was an officer in the Wellington Highland Rifles in days of volunteers and also president of the original Wellington Gaelic Club. When the present Gaelic Club was formed he was elected patron and qualified as the first life member. For some considerable time he conducted, as a labour of love, a weekly Gaelic class at his residence, 42 Kelburn Parade, Wellington.

The hospitality of Professor and Mrs MacKenzie at these meeting was in keeping with the best tradition of the Highlands. Last year when the New Zealand Scottish Territorial Regiment was formed and appeal was made for funds for kilt, the Professor, even though he was then a very sick man, made a substantial donation to the fund, and in a covering letter, congratulated the committee on the work it was carrying out in fostering Scottish sentiment among the New Zealand Scots, many who were second and third generation from Scotland.

Professor Hugh MacKenzie was a man whom it has been a privilege to know. He has been called, in the poetic language of the Celt, to the land of eternal youth, the mystic islands of the west – Tir, N’an Oig

Evening Post 14 March 1940

Family Tree: John and Catherine (Munro) MacKenzie