The untold
story of former Whanganui mayor, Charles Mackay, who was killed in Berlin in
1929 while working as a journalist, will be told by the latest recipient of
Creative New Zealand’s Berlin Writer's Residency, historian, curator and
broadcaster, Paul Diamond.
“Described as
‘the greatest and most painful sensation Whanganui has experienced’, the
story was forgotten because of its ‘unsavoury’ nature,” says Diamond.
He will spend up to 11 months in Berlin to
pen the fascinating story of the former local body politician who was jailed in
New Zealand for attempted murder and whose story and memory was actively
suppressed by his family and local authorities.
“Being in
Berlin will help with retracing Mackay’s steps and investigating further
research leads. It’ll also mean the chance to research in London and follow up
new information about his career at an advertising agency there.”
Mackay went
to Europe after serving six years in jail for attempting to murder returned
soldier Walter D’Arcy Cresswell. Mackay shot Cresswell in 1920 when he
threatened to reveal Mackay was homosexual, unless he resigned as mayor of
Wanganui.
After Mackay
was sent to prison his wife and daughters changed their surnames. His
name and title were expunged from the foundation stone of the Sarjeant Art
Gallery in Whanganui, where Mackay Street became Jellicoe Street, and his
mayoral portrait was destroyed.
“It’s
interesting that Mackay was in London at the same time as his blackmailer and
being able to spend time researching in London will mean I can acknowledge
Cresswell’s role in the story.”
Paul says
Mackay’s life is a ‘micro history’, illuminating such historical moments as the
treatment and regulation of homosexuality, and the last years of the
Weimar Republic.
“As part of
my research, I’ve uncovered a wealth of new information explaining what
happened to Mackay after he left New Zealand.
“The book I’m
writing will bring these and other threads together, finally retelling an
important story connecting New Zealand and Germany,” he says.
About the Creative New Zealand Berlin’s
Writer’s Residency
The prestigious Berlin Writer's Residency is
offered biennially for an established New Zealand writer to work on an approved
project in Berlin, Germany for up to eleven months.
Senior Comunications and Advocacy Adviser | Kaiāwhina Whakawhiti Kōrero
Creative New Zealand | Toi Aotearoa
DDI: +64 4 498 0725 | Ext: 725 | Mobile: 027 677 8070
E: michael.eng@creativenz.govt.nz | W: creativenz.govt.nz
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