Crofton may not seem much more than a blip on the map today, but it is in fact a historic place. Not only was it the first town to be designated in the Rangitikei, pre-dating nearby Marton, but it was also New Zealand’s first temperance town. It was established by William Fox, the second premier of New Zealand (and long-time MP for Rangitikei), who owned a large tract of land in this area. He was an ardent supporter of the temperance movement and in the early 1870s he subdivided a small portion of his land for a town reserved only for teetotallers. The Rechabite Hall was established as a lodge, part of the Independent Order of the Rechabites, an organisation founded in England in 1835.
What does this have to do with the Wildbores, we hear you ask? After arriving in Wanganui in 1874, Charles Wildbore’s parents settled in nearby Marton, where Charles senior established a blacksmith shop. Following their move to Marton, Charles’ mother Emma became an officer of the lodge at Crofton. Both she and her husband continued to be involved in the temperance movement after moving to the Manawatu.
This photo of the Rechabite Hall was taken in the 1870s:
The hall stood on the southern side of the Crofton store, which still stands to today on the corner of Neal Dow Road (Makiriri Road) and Wellington Road.
Safety note: Please be careful when parking and looking for this cache. Wellington Road is relatively busy, with not much shoulder to park on out of the way of traffic. We suggest parking on Makiriri Road, which seems a little less busy. Young cachers would be best advised to stay in the car.