Leys - 1906 - He was then in charge of the northern section of the Masai. He asked permission to import merino rams to cross with the woolless Masai sheep, but he was forbidden to do so, on the ground that if the Masai began to breed for wool they would begin to steal sheep from their European neighbours. .... The Masai had complete confidence in Collyer. .......... The Masai Move - Mr Collyer reported that the Masai on Laikipia "were ready to go if the Government ordered them to do so, but that they did not wish to leave Laikipia". ........... In 1910/11 Mr Collyer was displaced, to his great sorrow.
Permanent Way - 'It is well known that Mr A.J.M. Collyer and Mr H.R. McClure, the only two officials of the Administration who could speak Masai, were very critical of the manner in which the negotiations and the move [of the Masai] were conducted. During the move neither of them was employed. "The former," wrote Sir Frederick Jackson, "was sent to the Amala River to receive the immigrants, and when they never arrived he was transferred to Nyeri, presumably to make quite certain that he would be completely out of touch with them. It was indeed a sorry show."  

Kenya Diary - Nov. 1902 - Naivasha ...... I found a fellow called Wise in charge of Naivasha with Collyer as his assistant. ......... Collyer is a huge fellow and has only recently left the University to join this administration. The poor fellow is suffering from consumption and I fear has not long to live.  

Kenya Diary - Taveta - Apr. 1906 - On arrival at the Lumi River, which runs quite close to the old Government bungalow, I found that my old friend Collyer was living a mile further on, the new Government quarters being built on a small rise nearer the German frontier and not far from the Mission Station. Collyer is kindly putting me up. ..... I notice that Collyer could walk only at a snail's pace. He was so done up after our walk to the Mission that I thought he was going to collapse. I fear he has bad consumption on him. He is naturally an athletic man, and his inability to take exercise has sent his weight up to 15 stone. His racking cough made me feel so sorry for him, but he is in excellent spirits. ............. 12th May 1906 - recently transferred from Taveta to Rumeruti, a new station on Laikipia.  

Ex. Mrs V. Bellers, letter Nov 1996 - He joined the EA Protectorate Colonial Service from Oxford. He was already mortally ill with TB. Meinertzhagen liked him and sympathises with the way he struggled with his illness. He became a Masai speaker and was appointed DC Rumuruti. He was involved with the negotiations with the northern Masai and the Government which wanted to move them to join the southern Masai. He was most unhappy about the Government's behaviour and was removed from his post as DC Rumuruti. He was "sickened and embittered" by the Masai episode. Dr. Norman Leys - in his book 'Kenya' described Arthur as one of those who had brought "nearer in Africa the long-delayed victory of justice." He died at his post as DC Nyeri.

Bellers - My great uncle, Arthur Collyer, almost certainly went to Kenya in search of a warm climate; perhaps also to do and die as he was mortally ill with tuberculosis. …..

Pioneers - Rumuruti - The colonial administration set up a district headquarters in Rumuruti, an onomatopoeic Maasai word for mosquito, in 1904. Mr John Collyer was the first DC, and lived there with his two sisters, Margaret and Olive, from 1905. They started the gardens that have given so much pleasure over the years.

Nicholls - Rumuruti - The DC, A.J.M. Collyer, lived there with his sisters Margaret and Olive, the latter a wonderful plantswoman whose beautiful garden was admired by too few travellers, such was the isolation of the place ..

North - From Belper; arr. Mombasa 17-9-1902

EA Diary 1903 - Assistant Collector, EA Protectorate June 1902

EAHB 1907 - Collector - Rumuruti

Red Book 1912 - A.J.M. Collyer - Naivasha

Gazette 15/6/1913 - Probate and Administration in respect of the estate of Arthur John Morice Collyer late of Nyeri who died at Nyeri on 19/10/1912. Applied for by Oliver [sic] Collyer of Kikuyu.

Gazette 1/11/1912 - Obituary - His Excellency deeply regrets to announce the death of Mr A.J.M. Collyer, District Commissioner, at Nyeri, on 19th October. The deceased officer was particularly successful in his administration of natives, and at the same time was liked and respected by all with whom he came in contact. The service has lost a conscientious and reliable officer  whom it will be difficult to replace

Tignor - 1910 - DC Rumuruti.

EAHB 1905 - Asst. Collector, EAP, Aug. 24th 1902.

Ainsworth found him on very good terms with the Masai.

W.A. Kempe diary 27 Nov 1905 Collyer ... a noisy fellow full of his own importance & impossible rhino tales which I pretended to suck down.