A. K. McLay

Mr Alexander Knox McLay (Farm staff 1936-58) who retired from the College farm staff in 1958, died at his home in Christchurch on July 23 at the age of 76. He was born at Fortrose, Southland, and when his father, James McLay, was manager of the College farm 1900-01, he had his first contact with the College. In World War I he served in the 1st. N.Z.E.F. as a Quartermaster in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles and throughout his life he retained a great attachment to all matters pertaining to the horse. In World War II he was an N.C.O. in the No. 8 troop Independent Mounted Rifles in which several of the College staff served.

He farmed for several years both at Culverden and Wakanui, until he took up the managership at the College in 1936. He relinquished this after 5 years and became farm overseer 1941-46 under the direction of C. P. Tebb and in the later period 1947-58 he was farm work instructor.

He was one of those unpretentious and transparently honest men of country origin and upbringing who exerted a tremendous influence for good at Lincoln during the time students worked on the farm. More than a farm work instructor, he was a counsellor and confessor in a quiet way and at the same time was receptive and appreciative of the student's guile and humour.

He was devoted to the arts of farm husbandry and in particular that of the plough and had been prominent in the organisation of ploughing competitions amongst students and in the development of the Lincoln Ploughing Match Association.

With the late Associate Professor H. E. Garrett he had collaborated in the compilation of a booklet published by the college on the subject of cultivation. This combined the great practical knowledge of two men both of whom would be remembered for their sound understanding of farm husbandry.

Like others who had been prominent in practical training at Lincoln, Mr McLay's regular attendance at annual reunions of the Old Students' Association had evoked a measure of appreciation, which was not exceeded by that given to any other member of the staff.

He was survived by his wife, a son, R. J. McLay (farming at Rotorua), and two daughters, one of whom is married to J. R. Kofoed (48-49) who is farming at Oxford (1969).

Farm overseer (1941-46).

Farm work instructor (1947-58)