Biography

Known as "Old Sam" His death was certified in writing by William Cumming, mine manager, Bamboo Creek. The burial service was read by George Jackson. A much respected resident and prospector of Bamboo Creek, Hafford had been ill for about a month, although he did not suffer acutely. He was quite conscious to within a few minutes of his death and passed away quietly at half past eight in the morning in the presence of George Walker and a few friends who had gathered round. That evening, he was buried in the local cemetery with a large number of residents attending the funeral. A pioneer on the west coast of New Zealand, he had been in Victoria in the early days of Ballarat and also in the other mining centres there. He had lived in Queensland for 12 years. He was connected with several mines and diggings in New Zealand, as featured in the newspapers in that country.