MACKENZIE, FRANCIS WALLACE (1824-92) was born at Tarral, Tarbat, Ross-shire, the son of George MacK. Ross, and was commissioned as ensign in the Bombay Native Infantry (1841). He served with the 8th Infantry in Scinde (1843), being present at Hyderabad. Promoted lieutenant (1845), he was appointed interpreter in Hindustani to his corps and two years later quartermaster and interpreter in Hindustani and Mahratti. In 1851 he received a bonus for proficiency and was promoted captain (1856). On retiring he came to Victoria, and in 1855 landed at Auckland from the Kestrel. He travelled by the Waikato and Wanganui rivers to Wellington, prospected thoroughly the grazing lands of Marlborough, and eventually settled on the Pomahaka runs, South Otago, in company with Pinkerton. Later he bought the freehold of Glenkenich.

Mackenzie represented Clutha in the Provincial Council (1863-70), and was M.H.R. for Mataura (1881-84). He contested Waikaia against Valentine (1887). He was a member of the first Clutha county council, and later chairman of the council and the charitable aid board. He died on 5 Dec 1892.

India Office records; Otago P.C. Proc.; C.A. Macdonald; Beattie ii; Roberts, Southland; Tapanui; Otago Daily Times, 6 Dec 1892. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 15

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