Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/148

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

145

pioneers. In a few months the school proved too small, and Mr. Hay cheerfully erected a much larger one on another site close at hand, and gave it over free of cost. Unfortunately, Mr. Gillespie died about eighteen months after his arrival, and his loss was keenly felt, not only as a teacher, but as a man of sterling character, who was much respected and appreciated by all. Mr. Hay again lost no time, and, taking full precautions, sent once more to Scotland, and was signally fortunate in securing Mr. W. S. Fitzgerald, who arrived in 1861, and who, for a number of years, remained in Pigeon Bay, whence he went to Oamaru and eventually to Dunedin, where, as everyone knows, he became famous in educational matters, having been, in fact, the originator of our present system. He retired a year ago (1910), full of honour, from a high position in Education.

In Church matters Mr. Hay took a deep interest, and in conjunction with a few others was instrumental in procuring the first Presbyterian minister for Christchurch and the Peninsula.

Mr. Hay was a good and zealous neighbour, whose aim was not to take up more