CREWES, JOHN (1847-1925) was born at Grampound, Cornwall, and educated in London for the Methodist ministry. As a young man he was closely associated with city missions. He came to Christchurch in 1879 to take charge of the Bible Christians, for whom he erected a church in High Street. He was greatly interested in prison-gate and other social work.

Crewes stood against Vogel for Christchurch North in 1884 and against R. M. Taylor for Sydenham in 1887. While in Christchurch he published and edited the Liberal Herald to support that party's social legislation. A sermon which he preached in 1889 on sweating in Christchurch aroused deep interest. About 1890 he moved to Wellington, where he engaged in preaching, lecturing and journalism. He was a justice of the peace and gave evidence before the police commission in 1898. He was also chairman of the conciliation board in Wellington. He founded the Zoological Society (1900) and was editor of the Zoo Standard. His death occurred on 30 Dec 1925.

App. H.R., 1898, H2; Saunders, ii; The Press, 18 Jun 1889; Evening Post, 30 Dec 1925.

Reference: Volume 1, page 109

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