Mr. John Broughton, who was a Canterbury Settler for the best part of fifty years, and well known as a public school teacher in the early days, was born in Bawtry, Yorkshire, England, in 1830. He was originally intended for the Church, but after receiving a military education in Germany, he entered the Royal Engineers. Retiring from the army, he went through a course of study at one of the agricultural colleges of England. Mr. Broughton arrived in Lyttelton in 1850, in the ship “Cressy,” one of the “first four ships.” After engaging in various occupations, he became the first schoolmaster in Christchurch, and continued in that capacity till the year 1870, when he retired into private life. Mr. Broughton was a well-known local preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist Church for many years, indefatigable in his labours, and it was no uncommon thing for him to walk over the Bridle Track from Christchurch to Lyttelton and return the same day, after conducting one or two services. At a later period, when roads to various localities were made, Mr. Broughton used to drive long distances with other preachers to different churches in outlying districts, experiencing many difficulties, such as crossing the Waimakariri river. He devoted much of his time to the visitation of the sick and poor. His favourite pastime was the culture of flowers, and he was interested in his garden up to the last years of his life. Mr. Broughton was married to a daughter of the late Mr. T. R. Cresswell. That lady died in 1878, leaving a large family. In 1890 Mr. Broughton married the widow of the late Judge Clarke.