John Cribb

John was the eldest son of William and Emma Cribb (nee Maxted). He was born in 1837 in Southsea, Hampshire, England. His father was a shoemaker and John trained to be one also. John emigrated to New Zealand in the 1850s and it was said ‘he knew Castlepoint in prehistoric times pretty nearly’. He was also described as extensively read and possessed of a cultured mind.

In 1880, John was appointed postmaster for the Whakataki district. In 1898, John provided a stage ‘property’ for the ‘William Tell’ scene in the local Whakataki school  play. A piano and lamps were lent by the hotel.

John’s sister Abigail and her husband William Fellows emigrated in the 1870s. Their eldest son was named John Cribb Fellows and he lost his life while bathing at Ruamahunga River in Easter 1899 aged 23.

John Cribb was admitted to Masterton Hospital with an ‘internal complaint’ in 1900. He was returned to health but died the following year. His funeral left from his sister’s residence, in Aro Street on 25^th July at 1:40pm for Karori Cemetery. He is the only interment in this plot. William, Abigail and their son John are interred in Plot: *Ch Eng/L/23.

Plot: *Ch Eng/P/24

By Julia Kennedy