In November 1844 a difficult case presented itself to Dr. McKinlay when an intoxicated bullock-driver George Barnett was brought into Dungog from Mr. Dowling's farm. Barnett had been kicked by a bullock and knocked down and the wheel of the dray had then passed over his leg crushing it badly. Dr. McKinlay could not immediately ascertain the extent of the injuries as Barnett was very drunk and violent however on the following morning he found that amputation would be necessary. A messenger was immediately sent to Stroud to engage the assistance of another doctor to assist at the operation however the messenger returned without success and was immediately sent to seek the assistance of Dr. Park of Paterson who reached Dungog on Monday.

Dr. McKinlay and Dr. Park amputated the leg on Tuesday and although the 'haemorrhage was not violent', Barnett did not recover from the shock and died later that evening. At the inquest the medical men gave their opinion that death was caused by Barnett being intoxicated at the time of the accident and the jury found that he died from the shock he received by amputation of his leg, rendered necessary in consequence of the wheel of a loaded dray passing over it whilst he was in a state of intoxication.

In December 1844 Dr. McKinlay attended a dinner to farewell Vincent Dowling Esq. who was leaving the district for a time. The gentlemen of the district were 'anxious to testify their esteem and regard towards Mr. Dowling for his uniform integrity of purpose and urbanity of manner as a magistrate and private gentleman'. The dinner took place at Mason's Inn on Friday 13th December and the party comprised the elite of the district. Mr. Dowling proposed a toast to recently appointed Magistrates C.. Brown, J.M. Andrew and Dr. McKinlay. Dr. McKinlay then responded, giving sincere thanks for the toast and offering a toast to Legislative Council representative Richard Windeyer whose talent, tact, candour and zeal Dr. McKinlay thought, were essential to the welfare of the colony.

Dr. McKinlay was sworn in as Magistrate in January 1845

Missing from Vincent Dowling's farewell dinner was Matthew Chapman, settler from 'The Grange' who had been killed in an accident on his way home from Dungog five months previously. Dr. McKinlay had attended Matthew Chapman at the Dungog Inn however had been unable to save him and Chapman had died the following day.

He was also unable to save the 'amiable' seventeen year old daughter of William Crawford in Dungog in 1846.  She had consumed a quantity of bluestone water and 'all that medical skill could do for the unfortunate sufferer was done', however without effect for she expired six hours later. Her death remained a mystery to those around her as she 'refused to the last to mention the cause of her committing so rash an act'. An enquiry into her death found she died from the effects of bluestone water taken whilst labouring under temporary insanity.

In 1849 McKinlay decided to move from Dungog to a 'neighbouring colony'. At a ceremony at the Union Inn, the residents in the town presented him with a purse of gold containing seventy one sovereigns and a ring as a token of their esteem and respect. Dr. McKinlay had lived in Dungog for 9 years and the inhabitants of the district regretted losing his 'impartiality, honesty of purpose and independence as a Magistrate' as well as his skill and indefatigable zeal as a physician and surgeon. In replying to the address presented to him, McKinley felt at a loss as to how to express his gratitude however assured them that wherever his lot was cast he would always fondly cherish a recollection of Dungog and Clarence town and of the kindness, hospitality and friendship of the people who lived there.(26)

In December 1850 McKinlay informed the residents of Dungog that circumstances prevented him returning from Adelaide and begged to be released from his engagement to return, although he had been promised nearly £300 per annum upon his taking up his position in the district again. A public meeting was soon held and the townspeople resolved to advertise for a Medical practitioner to replace Dr. McKinlay.

Ellar McKellar McKinlay died in Dungog 14 November 1889. Read his obituary here