George Walker McLay, (1839-26/11/1907). "one of the finest boatmen on the river"

DROWNING FATALITY.

On Tuesday evening, about 5 o'clock, the sad news was received that George McLay, manager of the famous Hartley and Riley dredge, was drowned. He was going ashore alone in the boat, when a hemp rope attached to the traveller broke, and the boat drifted on to the stern line and, the current being strong, it quickly swamped. One of the crew who witnessed the accident from the shore, states that Mr McLay fouled the line and it is surmised he was probably hurt, nevertheless he swam down stream for 700 or 800 yards before finally going under the third time.

He was recognised as one of the finest boatmen on the river, also one of the best dredgemasters in Otago, besides being universally respected for his upright character. So far there has been no sign of the body. 

Mr George McLay, whose untimely end is thus recorded, was 68 years of age, and was a native of Stirlingshire, Scotland. He followed the sea until 1861, when he settled in Central Otago. He worked on the first bucket dredge on the river below Roxburgh. After selling his interest in a current-wheel dredge of which he was part proprietor, he sold out and removed to Dunedin. In 1885 he returned to Alexandra, and had charge of the Dunedin Company's dredge for 11 years. In 1896 he started the Alpine dredge, near Cromwell. This was not successful and he then became manager of the Victoria bridge dredge. He was subsequently appointed to the Hartley and Riley dredge; and when it was decided to remove the Alpine dredge over the falls above Cromwell bridge he was placed in charge of the work and carried it out successfully. 

Mr McLay was married in 1866 to a daughter of the late Mr J. Falconer, of Dunedin, and leaves one son and four daughters.  -Cromwell Argus, 2/12/1907.

A Press Association telegram from Dunedin states that the body of George McLay, dredgemaster, who was drowned a week or two ago, has been found in the Molyneaux River near Clyde.  -Marlborough Express, 10/12/1907.

G. McLAY'S BODY FOUND. 

Our Cromwell correspondent telegraphs that the body of George McLay, dredgemaster of the Hartley and Riley, was found in the Molyneux near Clyde. The inquest was opened at 11 a.m. to-day, Mr L. Harris being chosen foreman of the jury, and after formal evidence the proceedings were adjourned till Thursday morning at nine o'clock for the attendance of the inspector of mines.   -Evening Star, 10/12/1907.

INQUEST ON GEORGE McLAY. 

Our Cromwell correspondent writes: — At the inquest on the body of Mr Ceorge McLay dredgemaster, a verdict was returned that deceased was drowned in the Molyneux River through the boat's painter parting, and that from the evidence adduced no blame was attachable to anyone.  -Evening Star, 16/12/1907.

Cromwell Cemetery.