DEATH OP MR. JAMES MACKAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 129, 31 May 1875, Page 2

DEATH OP MR. JAMES MACK AY.

Yet another of the old Nelson settlers has gone to his n-st. and few who have pissed away from our midst have left behind them a larger circle ot sincere friends. Mr Mackay arrived in Nelson in the Slams Castle in 1845, and at once made his home at Wakapuaku, 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 lowlying fl ix land which formed tlvs principal part of his property, but his \mtiring efforts did not meet with the reward they des:rvcd, and in a pecuniary sense he was not or.c of the most successful of the early immi^ranta to Nelfon. In one thing, however, he did succeed most completely. He gained the respect of all with vrhoni he was brought in contact, and the warm friendship of those with whomhevas more intimately acquainted. Deeply as his loss must he felt by his fami ; y, their regret will be almost equally Bhared by all the rei-Ments around the spot where the deceased had lived for so many year*. Not a cottager or farmer in the neighborhood but will fe.l that in the kind-hearted old gentleman who breathed his last on Saturday, he has lost a true fiiend, and a valued adviser. Of those who have resided in the province any length of time there cm bo few who have not entered the hospitable doors of Drumduan, where a hearty welcoma was never wanting from the geniil 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 j the local institutions. lie had a'so sat both I 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 maik of a serious character, the jar occasioned by the fall had the effect of producing a tumor between the shoulders which gradually grew until it affected his sp'ne. Latterly he suffered interne pain, and about a month since his lower 1 mbs became paralysed. Erom that time he may be said to have been dying by inches, as the paralysis slowly crept upwards until Saturday morning, when he passe I away so peacefully that thy watc'.iers around his bed scarcely kuew that he was gone. Ifc must be a source of gratification to his family to know how gre«t was the ret-pect in which he whom they have lost was held by all who knew him, and it is a melancholy pleasure to the writer of tht6e lines to have this opportunity of assuring them that none of the old Nelson settlers stood higher in the estimation of their fellowmen than did James Mackay.