Krippner Martin 1866 1894 Orewa Puhoi Northland Nz

edmondsallan - Hello -Meanwhile the Puhoi settlers struggled on, sustained by their physical strength, sense of community, and Roman Catholic faith. In letters home they bravely refrained from mentioning the hardships of their new life. Krippner, however, tended to exaggerate the benefits, possibly because he hoped the provincial government would reward him for inducing others to emigrate. Consequently, in 1866, a second group of Bohemians arrived. Although he lived at Orewa, Krippner maintained a proprietorial interest in the Puhoi settlement, and made use of his government contacts to obtain a grant for roadworks in the district. The newcomers were able to support themselves by forming co-operative parties to work on the roads. Krippner frequently suggested additional sources of income. At his instigation Puhoi settlers gathered tanekaha (celery pine) bark for use in tanning, and fungus for the Chinese market. These activities helped sustain the third group of immigrants, who arrived at Puhoi in 1873, and the fourth and fifth groups, who arrived three years later.

The Bohemians were disadvantaged by their inability to speak English. Aware of this problem, in 1869 Emily Krippner started a school at Puhoi. By 1873 the Puhoi Educational District was constituted. Because of his ability to speak English and Egerlander, the dialect of the settlers, Martin Krippner was appointed headmaster. Emily Krippner was made assistant teacher. Krippner was postmaster at Wade (Silverdale) from 1 July 1873 until 31 December 1874 and while resident at Puhoi he held various offices. He was chairman of the Puhoi Highway District Board in 1874, and in 1877 and 1878 served on the Rodney County Council. A post office had been established at Puhoi in 1870; Krippner was postmaster from 1 August 1875 until 30 June 1884.

By the early 1880s the Puhoi settlement was securely established. The community was strengthened by the arrival of the first resident priest in 1877 and the completion of a church in 1881. The settlers were more confident, more able to communicate, and perhaps more critical of Krippner's leadership. It became evident that the Krippners, now both well into their 60s, were no longer capable of adequately performing their teaching duties. In 1884 the school committee petitioned to have them removed. This action seems not to have caused any lasting acrimony. The Puhoi settlers had outgrown their need for Krippner, but they had not forgotten his help. They showed their gratitude by building a house for him at Warkworth. Emily Krippner died there on 15 December 1890; Martin Krippner on 31 January 1894. Have you been to " Puhoi " Northland , lovely place , quite & beautiful . Till we meet again - Regards - edmondsallan