At the meeting of the Auckland Presbytery yesterday, the Rev. John Macky announced his retirement from the active duties of the ministry, retaining, however, his position in the courts of the church. This event marks an epoch in the history of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, for lie was one of the fathers of the Church, and since the retirement of the Rev. D. Bruce has been the acknowledged father of the Auckland Presbytery. A few .words as to the career of this veteran in the ministry will no doubt be of general interest on an occasion of this sort, and all will join in the wish that his fine venerable figure may long continue to grace the meetings of the Presbytery and the General Assembly of the Church, in both of which courts his gentle manners and wise counsels have endeared him to his ministerial and lay brethren.

The Rev. John Macky, prior to leaving Ireland for New Zealand, was a minister of the Presbyterian Church, near Londonderry, and he left his-charge to come to New Zealand on the strong recommendation of his brother, Mr. James J. Macky, who preceded him. He arrived in Auckland by the ship Cashmere, Captain Pearson, in August, 1854, accompanied by his father, mother, wife, and sister, and amongst their fellow-passengers wore Mrs. Alexander and her two sons, one of whom—then a boy—is now the well-known solicitor, Mr. J. M. Alexander. Mrs. Alexander was a sister-in-law of the Rev. J. Macky. When the Rev. Mr. Macky arrived in Auckland, the Presbyterian Church was a.very small one, the only congregation being that of St. Andrew s, of which the Rev. D. Bruce, who had arrived in Auckland a short tune before Mr. Macky, was pastor. * The first thing the Rev. Mr. Macky did was to establish a church at Otahuhu, and he commenced holding services at Mr. Baird's store, at Otahuhu wharf. Through his exertions, a grant of £100 a-year was obtained from the Irish Presbyterian Church to supplement the pay of the pastor of the church. Subsequently, as the requirements of the place increased, Mr. Thomas Baird gave as a-gift the site at Otara on which the church and school now stands, and subsequently this handsome gift was after Mr. T. Baird's death supplemented by another gift from Mr. S. C. Baird of a site for a manse and cemetery. Mr. Macky had then no manse, but he had a fine dwelling and farm at Papatoetoe, where he continued to reside for about 20 years until the manse was erected, and he moved into it with his family in 1872.

The Rev. Mr. Macky's life at this time was a very active one. He did not confine his attention to Otahuhu and Papatoetoe alone. For a period of at least 25 years he continued to hold regular services and preach at Mangere, Tamaki, and Howick, and this work he accomplished under exceptional difficulties. Those who are acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Macky during late years are aware that his sight is very dim. Even at that time it was not of the best, and he could hardly see at all after sunset. People used to wonder how he managed to find his way home from Howick and Mangere when he could not see the road, but Mr. J. J. Macky gives the explanation. He presented his rev. brother with a horse named Jack on his arrival, and this faithful old animal carried the Rev. Mr. Macky, in safety for many years, finding his own way instinctively, and never missing it, although the roads at that time were not what they are now.

The Rev. Mr. Macky's family is remarkable for longevity. His father, who accompany him to Auckland was about 70 years of age when he left Ireland and lived here for 16 years, dying at the ripe old age of 86, and his mother at the time her death was about 85 years of age. Both are buried in the Otara Cemetery, but the whole of their family, of four sons and one daughter remains an unbroken family. Mr. J. J, Wacky, the eldest brother, and the pioneer of the family in New Zealand, is in business on change. Messrs. Thomas Macky and William Macky are well-known Auckland citizens, the Rev. John Macky, the respected minister who is the subject of this notice, is still, we are glad to say, hale and hearty; although he has decided to take some of that rest to which his past labours entitle him, while the only sister is Mrs. Robert Hall, she being the youngest of the family. The Rev. Mr. Mack/s wife, who was a sister of the late Mr. S. Cochrane, has been dead for some years, after rearing a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. One daughter is married to Mr. Shillington, surveyor, formerly of Auckland, but now stationed near Portadown, in the North of Ireland. Another is married to the Rev. Mr. Steele, who for some time past has been assistant pastor in the Otahuhu charge, and the youngest daughter is Mrs. Overton, of Canterbury. The sons are Mr. Samuel C. Macky, Mr. John Macky, employed in the Board of Education office, and Mr. Joseph James Macky, who resides in Ponsonby. The Rev. Mr. Macky was born in the year 1820, and is consequently now 69 years of age.

The wide-spread feeling of regret which prevailed during the past few days, when the news of the dangerous illness of the Rev. John Macky, was known to his numerous friends in Auckland, will become intensified now that the tidings of his death, last night about five o'clock, is published. Mr. Macky has been suffering greatly for the past few months from a painful trouble, and his state became critical three or four days ago, so that his relatives were somewhat prepared for the end. In his last illness Mr. Macky was attended by Dr. Elmslie, of Otahuhu, while his daughter, Mrs. Steele, and her husband, and Mr. J. J. Macky, and Mrs. S. C. Macky tenderly, nursed him, all four being present when he breathed his last, after having been in a state of coma for about seventeen hours.

The Rev. John Macky was born at Londonderry on September 7, 1820, and studied for the Presbyterian Ministry at Glasgow University. He obtained his M. A. degree at the early age of 18½ years, and was ordained by the Derry Presbytery to the congregation of Fahan in 1842. He was called by the mission directors of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland to the colonial mission in New Zealand in December, 1853, and arrived here in the ship Cashmere in August 20, 1854, accompanied by his father, mother, wife, and sister, and amongst their fellow-passengers were Mrs. Alexander and her two sons, one of whom—then a boy—is now the well-known solicitor, Mr. J. M. Alexander. Mrs. Alexander was a sister-in-law of the Rev. J. Macky. When the Rev. Mr. Macky arrived in Auckland, the Presbyterian Church was a very small one, the only congregation being that of St. Andrew's, of which the Rev. D. Bruce, who had arrived in Auckland a short time before Mr. Macky, was pastor. The first thing the Rev. Mr. Macky did was to establish a church at Otahuhu, and he commenced holding services at Mr Baird's store at Otahuhu Wharf. Subsequently, as the requirements of the place increased, Mr. Thomas Baird gave as a gift the site at Otara on which the church and school now stands, and subsequently this handsome gift was after Mr. T. Baird's death supplemented by another gift from Mr. S. C. Baird of a site for a manse and cemetery, Mr. Macky had then no manse, but he bad a fine dwelling and farm at Papatoetoe, where he continued to reside for about 20 years until the manse was erected, and he moved into it with his family in 1872.

During his long life in the Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, and surrounding district Mr. Macky led a very active life, discharging in a most faithful manner the duties of a minister of God, visiting and encouraging the sick and poor, and offering to all the splendid example of a blameless life. In his latter years he became almost blind, and retired from the active duties of his ministry, though he still held the position of Pastor Emeritus of the Otara Church, his son-in-law, the Rev. Mr. Steele, being associated with him in the charge.

The Rev. Mr. Macky's family was remarkable for longevity. His father, who accompanied him to Auckland, was about 70 years of age when he left Ireland, and lived here for 16 years, dying at the ripe old age of 86, and his mother at the time of her death was about 85 years of age. Both are buried in the Otara Cemetery. Of their family, Mr. James Macky, the eldest brother, and the pioneer of the family in New Zealand, is in business on 'Change. Mr. Thomas Macky is a well-known Auckland citizen, and Mr. William Macky, a farmer at Waikato. The Rev. John Macky, the respected minister who is the subject of this notice, being the remaining brother. The only sister is Mrs. Robert Hall, she being the youngest of the family. The Rev. Mr. Macky's wife who was a sister of the late Mr. S. Cochrane, has been dead for some years, after rearing a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. One daughter is married to Mr. Shillington, surveyor, formerly of Auckland, but now stationed near Portadown, in the North of Ireland. Another is married to the Rev. Mr. Steele, who for some time past has been assistant pastor in the Otahuhu charge, and the youngest daughter is Mrs. Overton, of Canterbury. The sons are Mr. Samuel C. Macky, Mr. John Macky, employed in the Hoard of Education office, and Mr. Joseph James Macky, who resides at Ponsonby.

The funeral of the Rev. Mr. Macky is to take place at Otahuhu on Monday afternoon at 3.30.