CARNELL, SAMUEL (1832-1920) was born in Nottinghamshire, educated at Old Lenton and trained as a mechanic in the lace industry. He turned his attention to photography and after the discovery of the collodion process came to New Zealand in the Caduceus (1860). For some time he was employed by Crombie and Webster in Auckland. He visited Hokitika at the time of the rush and opened a studio at Nelson. Before long he returned to Auckland and then proceeded to Napier (1869) as manager of the business of Swan and Wrigglesworth, which he soon purchased. He sold out in 1905. Carnell was mayor of Napier (1904-07) and was many years on the Napier harbour board, the Hawkes Bay hospital board, the land board and the Napier school committee. In 1894 he won the Napier parliamentary seat as a Liberal (defeating Swan). He was defeated in 1896 by R. D. D. McLean. He had advanced views on land tenure and in 1895 carried a resolution in favour of abolishing the totalisator. He died on 14 Oct 1920.

Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); Hansard, 11 Mar 1921; Hawkes Bay Herald, 15 Oct 1920.

Reference: Volume 1, page 88

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