OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 20999, 4 February 1930, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR JAMES McCALL. Widespread regret was felt in the Waikoikoi district and in Eastern Southland generally when it was learned that yet another link in the chain of early pioneers had been severed through the death of the late Mr James McCall, who passed away at his residence, Waikoikoi last week. Born in Melbourne (Australia) 73 years ago, deceased, together with his parents and other members of the family, sailed for New Zealand at a very early age, landing at Port Chalmers and later. proceeding to Palmerston South where Mr McCall, Senior, engaged in waggoning. While at Palmerston the late Mr James McCall received his education, following which he took up rural pursuits as his life work. Mr McCall, senior, passed away at Palmerston, and in 1877 the late Mr James McCall decided to come.south to take up land which had just been opened at Conical Hill. Roads were practically unknown at that time, and the settlers experienced great difficulty in transporting goods and personal effects either from Tapanui or Waipahi. Among the first to arrive in the district, deceased endured considerable hardship in making his way to his new property, having to find a route round creeks and along ridges, while at times he was forced to risk his own crossings over streams. The railway later was completed to Tapanui, but with this advantage settlers still .had a serious barrier in the Pomahaka stream, which frequently was in a flooded state. When the late Mr McCall had erected a residence on his property he was followed south by his' wife (nec Helen Black, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs John Black, of Palmerston). Fencing and the stocking of his land claimed his attention for a considerable time, while he also brought, his property into a high state of productivity by successful farmnig and industrious effort. When the ’Koi settlement was firmly established, deceased maintained a keen interest in its welfare, giving freely of his services to any institution with the interests of the district at heart. The young folk of the district particularly claimed his attention, and he was usually to be found at the head of any movement in connection with their education or amusement, while over a long period of years he rarely failed to attend the Waikoikoi and district annual picnic. With the erection of the Presbyterian Church in the township, the late Mr McCall gave much of .his time to that institution, holding office as an elder for many years besides acting in the capacity of a Sunday school teacher. In late years deceased acquired another property in the district and disposed of his first holding to one of his sons. . Devoting his attention to his farm, he rapidly brought it into productivity, and practically till the time of his death at the ripe age of 73, he continued to work the property. The late Mr McCall was in failing health for a few months prior to his demise, but only recently was he confined to his bed. He was predeceased by his wife on May 11, 1923, and by a daughteV, Helen (late Mrs John Forbes, Waitepeka), on September 13, 1916. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends is extended to the remaining members of the family of four sons and three daughters—viz., Mary (Mrs D. Murray, Milton), Barbara (Mrs T. Baker, Auckland), Agnes (Mrs J. S. Bruce (Waikoikoi), James, John and David (Waikoikoi), and Hugh (Glenkenich). There are 33 grand-children.