PIONEER’S DEATH

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32510, 29 November 1944, Page 7

PIONEER’S DEATH

MR SAMUEL C. L. McCALL

EARLY PIONEER FARMER

FIRST SETTLER AT AMODEO BAY

The death occurred in the -Auckland Hospital this week of Mr Samuel Charles Lanfear McCall, a well-known Auckland-born pioneer who opened up the Amodeo Bay district, aged 81. He was born at Parnell, his father having come to New Zealand with the 58th. Regiment to participate in the Maori Wars, and in his boyhood days had several narrow escapes from being captured and killed by hostile Maoris.

During the days of the gold boom Mr McCall was in business in Coromandel, and later in Kuaotunu, near Whitianga. In 1894 he decided to take up farming and secured a block of, land at Amodeo Bay, being the first white settler in the district.

He made the voyage there, on board the Argyle, under Captain Amodeo, after whom the bay was named. Mr McCall attempted to float timber in

by sea in order to build a home, but the raft was left in bad weather and he had to pitsaw bis own timber in the bush.

As other settlers took up property in Amodeo Bay and the district expanded, a post office was opened and Air McCall became its first postmaster, retaining that office until his retirement a few years ago, when he came to Auckland and took up his residence at St. Helier’s- Bay.

Air McCall was made a justice of the peace in 1905, and was a member of the Justices of the (Peace Association, Auckland, at the time of his death. He is survived by two daughters and four sons.