CHALLENGER, Samuel 1841 - 29 November 1924 at Melrose, SA One of the most widely known and highly esteemed residents of the north, now lives in retirement at Melrose, is Mr. Samuel Challenger, who has been closely identified with the town and district since 1866. . This fine old colonist was born in Sheffield in 1841. His father, Mr. Benjamin Challenger,was a boot maker in the homeland, but the call of Australia made such an appeal to him that he embarked from Liverpool in the ship Hibernia, and landed at Melbourne in 1852. After about 13 months in Victoria, the family removed to South Australia. Sir. Samuel Challlenger's first occupation in this State was that of bullock driving for Mr. George Yates of Hackham. Then he joined his father in the boot making trade, and afterwards removed to Auburn, where he worked on the farms of Messrs. John Place and Brown ' Brothers. He afterwards branched out on his own account with a team of bullocks, in carting ore from the Bum copper mines to Port Wakefield, taking coal as back loading. The family decided to go north to Port Augusta. On arrival at Crystal Brook with their teams, with the intention of proceeding to the head of the gulf by the route west of the Flinders Ranges information of scarcity of water caused them to turn aside and pass through the Booyoolie Estate, and the sites of the present towns of Laura and Wirrabara to Mount Remarkable. Drought conditions in the far north made him turn his attention to the lower north, and for some time he utilized his team in carting from Canowie Station to Port Wakefield and in taking slabs and logs to the Burra Mine. In 1865 he married Miss Ann Bacon (daughter of Mr. Henry Bacon, of Spring Farm, Melrose) who was one of the earliest of South Australia's colonists). Mr. Challenger took up land in the Melrose district from the late Hon. J. H. Angus, and commenced farming and although advancing years have compelled him to cease active participation to farming, grazing, or pastoral pursuits, he still retains his interest in these operations. He has always had the welfare of the town and district at heart. As Councillor for Woniryarra Ward, in the District Council of Port Germein, of which body he was Chairman for several turns, he rendered good service to the town and District of Melrose. He has held official positions in practically all the organizations of the town, and was for many years President of the Frome Jockey Club, and was the first President of the 'Mount Remarkable Agricultural Society. ' Mr. Challenger was a foundation member of the Mount Remarkable Masonic Lodge, having joined the order as a member of the Areas (Laura) Lodge. His wife died a few years ago. Two of his sons, Messrs. F. Challenger and H. E. Challenger, reside in the same district. The former is a farmer, and the latter is licencee of the North Star Hotel, Melrose.