Hay, Robert Steel, Farmer, Pigeon Bay. Mr. Hay has been engaged in farming on Banks' Peninsula for upwards of thirty years, broken by an interval of five years, passed in the North Island. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1853, and is a son of Mr. Robert Hay, of Kilmarnock. Mr. Hay was educated at private schools, and was trained as a farmer. He arrived at Lyttelton towards the close of 1871, and shortly afterwards went to Pigeon Bay, where he lived for a few years at “Annandale,” the well known estate of his uncle, Mr. Ebenzer Hay. Subsequently he went to the North Island, where he remained five years. In 1880 he returned to Pigeon Bay, where he became manager of a large station, the property of the late Mr. Thomas MacIntosh. Two years later Mr. Hay visited Scotland, where he spent twelve months. On his return he leased a run at the Akaroa Heads, and carried it on till 1895, when he leased his present property in Pigeon Bay. Mr. Hay has been a member of the local read board for five years, and is a prominent office-bearer in the Pigeon Bay Presbyterian church. He was married, in 1895, to Miss E. Simpson, of Dunedin.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. R. S. Hay.

McKay, George, Farmer, Melness Farm, Pigeon Bay.—Mr. McKay was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1844. When two years of age he accompanied his parents to Sutherlandshire, and came out to New Zealand in 1859, by the ship “Cresswell.” His father bought the first part of “Melness” from the Crown in 1860, but it was subsequently added to by other purchases, and the property now consists of 321 acres. At the outset the selection, like most of the land on the Peninsula, was covered with heavy timber, which provided the material for buildings and fences. Mr. McKay grows grass seed, makes cheese, and fattens sheep and cattle for the market. Of cattle, he prefers Shorthorns and the Holstein-Frisian breed, and he finds three-quarter bred sheep the most profitable. He has formed a small flock of pure bred Leicesters by the purchase of a number of ewes, bred by Mr. Threlkeld, and he has also a flock of pure bred Lincolns. Mr. McKay's homestead overlooks Pigeon Bay, and is sheltered on the south-west by well grown trees. There is a small lake on the estate, and trout have been liberated in it. Mr. McKay has served as a member of the road board, school committee, and Farmers' Association. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Brodie, a native of the Orkneys, and has four sons and four daughters.

Mr. G. McKay's Residence and Family.

Pitcaithly, James, J.P., Farmer, “Rockbound Villa,” Pigeon Bay.—Mr. Pitcaithly is a son of the late Mr. James Pitcaithly, and was born in Glasgow, in 1853. He accompanied his parents to the Colony in 1860 in the ship “William Miles.” The family settled at Okain's Bay for three years, and then removed to Pigeon Bay, where Mr. Pitcaithly has ever since followed pastoral pursuits. He is a member of the school committee, and secretary and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church. He was made a Justice of the Peace in 1897.

Scott, Eli, Farmer, Pigeon Bay.—Mr. Scott was born in Yorkshire, in 1839, and during his early years he worked with his father in the manufacture of cloth. Before he left Home he learnt the brick and tile trade. In 1859, he came out to New Zealand in the ship “Zealandia,” on that vessel's second voyage. For the first two years he settled at Christchurch. He bought his firs' piece of land at the Malvern Hills, but sold it, and then bought the farm he now lives on. Since then, he has increased his area of freehold to 357 acres. Mr. Scott did not escape the gold fever of the early days, and in 1861 he tried his luck at the Dunstan, and in 1865 on the West Coast. Though his farm necessarily requires a great deal of attention, Mr. Scott finds time for public affairs. He is a member of the Akaroa County Council, chairman of the Pigeon Bay Road Board, and of the Pigeon Bay main and side schools, chairman of the Wainui Dairy Factory, a director of the German Bay Dairy Factory, and an active member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Farmers' Association. Mr. Scott was married, in 1857, to Miss Ellis, and has eight sons and four daughters.

Mr. E. Scott.

White, A., Farmer, “Seaview,” Pigeon Bay.—Mr. White was born in 1835 in the North of Ireland. He left home in November, 1862, in the ship “Chariot of Fame,” and landed early in 1863. Some years after he bought his present farm of 115 acres, and settled on it in 1871. It was then all covered with dense bush, but it is now all cleared and highly improved, with a good dwelling-house, garden and orchard, outbuildings, and fences, in first-rate order. Mr. White devotes his farm to the production of grass seed and cheese. He has been a member of the road board. Mr. White was married, in 1862, to Miss Kerr, and has four sons and six daughters.

Mr. A. White's Residence and Family.