Salvation Army

Commissioner Thomas McKie.

Commissioner McKie, the Commandant of the Salvation Army in Australia, returned from a three weeks' visit to the West by the mail streamer Orizaba on Monday night. He went to West Australia with Commissioner Howard, the general travelling secretary of the Army, and with that officer inspected the Collie settlement - an estate of 20,000 acres - taken up by the Army for social purposes. According to the commissioner, the settlement is doing very well. About 80 State children are at present in the homes established on the estate. The Army receive capitation fees for their education. The little ones reside in the three homes organised for their benefit. Commissioner McKie is satisfied with the Army's progress in West Australia. He will go overland to Melbourne today.

The Advertiser, November 4, 1902

In the Civil Court on Thursday, His Honor Mr. Justice Gordon heard a case arising out of the will of Joseph Nicholas, late of Quorn, deceased. It was, in fact, an adjourned hearing of a summons issued by the trustees of the will for advice and direction as to whether Thomas McKie, of Melbourne, was the person in command of the Salvation Army in Australia, and as such entitled to the residuary and personal estate bequeathed to the person in command of the Salvation Army for the time being, for the purposes of the Salvation Army in Australasia. Mr. R. Homburg appeared for the trustees of the estate of Nicholas, deceased, and Mr. R. H. Lathlean for Thomas McKie. Further evidence was produced. His Honor, in giving judgment, said there had been presented a commissioned signed by Gen. Booth appointing Thomas McKie to assume command of the Salvation Army forces in Australia, New Zealand, and Java. As to whether Gen. Booth had the right to appoint McKie he followed the case in [re Lea] (34, L.R., C.D.), which showed that Gen. Booth was head of the organised body known as the Salvation Army. He could have taken judicial notice of that fact in the same way that he might do of the fact that King Edward VII reigned, or that Sir George Le Hunte was the Governor of South Australia. He ordered that Thomas McKie was entitled to receive the legacy for the general purposes of the Salvation Army in Australasia. Costs of all parties of and incidental to the summons to come out of the fund. During the hearing of the case His Honor asked to what extent the Salvation Army would benefit. Mr. Lathlean replied “£3000.” His Honor - “A nice little windfall, and I feel sure it will be wisely expended.”

The Register, January 31, 1908

A London cable message announces the death of Commissioner Thomas McKie, a former commander of the Salvation Army in Australia.

Wairarapa Daily Times, August 27, 1937

McKie wrote the verses to the song “Precious Savior, we are coming”.

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