Mr McKay's Record

"(2) The second estate is that of J. G. McKay. He had been a collector all his life. The Nelson College Old Boys' Association has at present a mass of College historical data that he had gathered together over the years. But in addition to this there was material that has kept me busy for weeks sorting page Threeand classifying. He had compiled notes on numerous topics, and to mention a few: (1) A biolographical sketch of Matthew Campbell and the Nelson School Society. (2) Architects and Surveyors. (3) The Bishop School giving lists of students and dates of entry, a study of the Bishop School. (4) Beginning of education in the Township. Nelson. (5) Building and School Rooms in Nelson College, Manuka Street. (6) The History of the Town Acre 503 (the old Renwick Home). (7) Extracts from the diary of Father Gavin and the story of Catholic Education in Nelson. (8) Early flour mills.

"Much of the material is in the form of rough notes. Additions have been made from time to time as further information became available. These notes now await the hand of someone knowledgeable in history and skilled in writing if we are to obtain the maximum benefit. Mr McKay would jot down notes on a subject and at intervals add further memoranda and data. His enquiring mind led him to then weigh up pros and cons as to the accuracy of data collected and at times there is conflict. I have selected one item in which he was especially interested and which I think he himself was satisfied as being reasonably correct."