POYNTER, JOHN (1800-68) was born in England and educated for the law. He came to Nelson in the Fifeshire early in 1842. One of his first ventures in the colony was the purchase of the wreck of that vessel. In 1843 he was appointed crown prosecutor for the Nelson district, a position which he held until being appointed resident magistrate (1854). In the meantime he had been provincial treasurer (1843-47) and for some years to 1847 sub-treasurer for the General Government, a position he held after retiring from the magistracy (1856-67). In the fifties he acted as commissioner of native reserves and for the investigation of land claims.

Poynter was elected to the Provincial Council for Nelson in 1856, and sat for three years. He was a member of the executive in 1854 and again 1865-67, and was for some years treasurer. In public life he had a peculiarly easy temperament. He died on 30 Aug 1868.

The Colonist, 10 Aug 1868; Marlborough Press, 9 Sep 1868.

Reference: Volume 2, page 94

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