accident prone?
John’s arrival in New Zealand was not the most auspicious start. He and his wife Catherine Sinclair, both emigrants from The Shetland Islands were passengers on the immigrant ship “City of Auckland” which became shipwrecked at the Otaki River mouth in 1878. Fortunately there was no loss of life.
In 1887, John’s trap capsized opposite the Petone Town Board quarry, caused by his horse taking fright at a passing train. His sister sustained a serious injury to one of her legs and the load of produce was pretty well destroyed.
In 1890, after returning to his home in Upper Hutt after purchasing prizes for school children, he was in the process of dismounting his horse when it shied. One foot was caught in the stirrup and he was dragged for some distance until the stirrup strap broke. As a result he broke several ribs.
In 1891 he was sued for £200 in damages by William Backrow for false imprisonment. It was alleged that John had caused William to be arrested on a charge of stealing three planks of timber which was afterwards dismissed by the Justice of Peace. After some evidence was given, it was announced the case had been settled with the plaintiff for £30 in satisfaction of his claim.
In 1898, John was standing opposite his front door in Rintoul Street when a cyclist rode by at great speed and without a lamp and knocked him down. Two bones were broken in his left leg. “Worse still, the wheelman remounted and rode away without evening stopping to make enquiries as to the consequences of his carelessness” (EP 2 June 1898).
In 1901 he was fined for leaving his horse and vehicle unattended.
Aside from his mishaps, John worked as a farmer and then became a very busy contractor. He lived at 124 Rintoul Street and was constantly advertising for carpenters, paper hangers and houses for lease.
After Catherine died in 1895, John married Emily Woodland. He left three surviving children. John shares the plot with both of his wives.
Priest family plot