James Mackay was the centre of a colourful scene that could only have taken place in a brand new colonial parliament where the members did not behave in a constitutional manner as parliamentarians did in the Old Country. It turned out to be stormy session when the doors were locked and unparliamentary language flew out. Mr Mackay found his way in knowing that Parliament was prorogued (dismissed by the Governor), although the members were not aware of it, he advanced to the table with his hat on his head, a broad smile on his face, flourishing a Gazette in one hand and an umbrella in the other. There was a load clamour, and cries of “Order !” as he flung the Gazette on the central table and exclaimed, “Oh! You are not Parliament, here is the Gazette. You are prorogued.” There was a great commotion, and the scuffle which followed his hat was kicked about the floor, but the umbrella survived and was long prized by Mr Mackay’s descendants.

Yet another of the old Nelson settlers has gone to his rest, and few have passed away from our midst have left behind them a larger circle of sincere friends. Mr Mackay arrived in Nelson in the Slains Castle in 1845, and at once made his home at Wakapuaka, where he has resided ever since. With indomitable energy, perseverance, and a real fondness for hard work, he commenced to clear and drain the large extent of the low-lying flax land which formed the principal part of his property, but his untiring efforts did not meet with the reward they deserved, and in a pecuniary sense he was not one of the most successful of the early immigrants to Nelson. In one thing, however, he did succeed most completely. He gained the respect of all with whom he was brought in contact, and the warm friendship of those with whom he was more intimately acquainted. Deeply as his loss must be felt by his family, their regret will be almost equally shared by all the residents around the spot where the deceased had lived for so many years. Not at cottager or farmer in the neighbourhood but will feel that it the kind-hearted old gentleman who breathed his last on Saturday, he has lost a true friend, and a valued adviser. Of those who have resided in the province any length of time there can be few who have not entered the hospitable doors of Drumduan, where a hearty welcome was never wanting from the genial proprietor. Mr Mackay always took an active interest in every matter connected with the district in which he resided, and was a member of all the local institutions. He had also sat both in the House of Representatives and in the Provincial Council. Some fifteen months ago he fell from a loaded cart when at work in the harvest field, and although there was no external mark of a serious character, the jar occasioned by the fall had the effect of producing a tumour between the shoulders, which gradually grew until it affected his spine. Latterly he suffered intense pain and about a month since his lower limbs became paralysed. From that time he may be said to have been dying by inches, as the paralysis slowly crept upwards until Saturday morning when he passed away so peacefully that the watchers around his bed scarcely knew that he was gone. It must be a source of gratification to his family to know how great was the respect in which he whom they have lost was held by all who knew him, and it is a melancholy pleasure to the writer of these lines to have the opportunity of assuring them that none of the old Nelson settlers stood higher in the estimation of their fellow men than did James Mackay.

One of the oldest Nelson settlers has been taken from amongst us. Since 1845, when he first landed here, he had resided at Wakapuaka and has followed the occupation of farmer for many years. He was beloved and respected not only by his neighbours, but by all with whom he had come into contact. He has been a member of both the General Assembly and the Provincial Council. The deceased gentleman was 71 years of age at the time of his death, the cause of which was a spinal complaint, the result of an injury received by a fall some months ago. Although in the early stage of his illness he had suffered great pain, yet for a short time before he died he was comparatively easy, and death carried him off whilst he was asleep. In Mr Mackay, Nelson has lost one of her best and most energetic settlers, but his memory will live long after the grass has grown over his last resting-place. The funeral will take place on Thursday next at 11 am.