James Chrystall and his son John, Foxton

James took up farming near Bulls. In 1878 he married a Miss McGregor and John was born in 1879. James purchased 30 acres of bush at Rongotea and commuted from Bulls until it was cleared. The family shifted to Bulls and as a small boy it was John's job to bring in the cows for milking. The cows had bells around their necks so that they did not become lost in the bush.

At 14 years of age, John began work with a well sinker, buying out his employer when 17 years old. He set up as a wellboring contractor and became well known in the district as an authority on artesian water.

He came to Foxton about 1908, shortly after he had married Miss Ann Broadbelt (also from Rongotea). Their first home was in Purcell Street. About the same time John blew out a bore near the Triangle in Main Street. This well supplied water by a hand pump until the 1930's.

In 1910, he built a house at 17 Lady's Mile which the family occupied until Mrs. Chrystall's death in 1978. This house is listed in the Historic Places booklet of Foxton's buildings of historic or architectural interest. Mr. and Mrs. Chrystall raised a family of seven sons and one daughter.

A farming property at Moutoa was purchased in 1914 and John farmed this until has death, no doubt, with his sons help.

John had always been a great reader and took great interest in local affairs. In Foxton he served as a Borough Councillor from 1911 to 1915 and as Mayor from 1917 to 1925. During his time as Mayor water reticulation from the water tower was put into operation. All the trenches for the pipes had to be dug by hand, which was a tremendous undertaking. Sewerage pipes were laid at the same time. Some of the men were "sacked" for being too slow. The problem, of course, was that their hands were blistered and painful, making it impossible to work quickly.

Mr. Chrystall was a progressive mayor and a staunch advocate of a rail link Foxton - Levin - Greatford (Marton). This never came to fruition.

He was chairman of the Moutoa Drainage Board and the Manawatu River Board. He was much opposed to the flood scheme which included the flood gates at Moutoa. In fact he collapsed and died shortly after giving evidence at court hearing regarding the scheme in 1957.

Religion played a great part in his life. His father, James was a Brethren preacher and John became a lay preacher in the Methodist Church taking many services around the district.

Prepared from cuttings held at the Foxton Historical Museum and information given by family members over the years.

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