Sir John Cracroft Wilson (1808-81) was born in Madras, India, and educated in England at the East India College, Haileybury, and Brasenose College, Oxford. Following his marriage in 1828, Wilson returned to India and took up a position with the Bengal Civil Service, where he made a name for himself in the campaign to suppress Thuggism. After a period as a magistrate at Cawnpore (Kanpur), he was appointed in 1841 as magistrate and collector at Mordabad.
In 1853, with his heath failing, Wilson took a protracted holiday. Whilst in Australia he learned of the opportunities in New Zealand, and chartered a ship to take his retinue to Lyttelton. Arriving in April 1854, Wilson brought three up-country runs and a 108 ha property on the Port Hills he named Cashmere, after Kashmir in India. Cashmere was later extended to 2000 ha. In December 1854 with his leave about to expire, Wilson returned to India and resumed his position. Two years later the Indian Mutiny broke out, and he served with distinction. On the basis of his service, Wilson was created a Knight of the Star of India in 1872.
In 1859 Wilson retired and returned to Canterbury and Cashmere permanently, where he soon became active in politics and local affairs. He served as a member of Parliament and the Provincial Council, on church vestries, school committees, a roads board, the Acclimatisation Society, the Canterbury College Board of Governors, the Amuri County Council, the Canterbury Musical Society, the Canterbury Jockey Club, and as a major in the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. A colourful, egocentric and at times controversial character - once described as 'Toryism on two legs', 'Nabob' Wilson (as he was popularly known) was also public-spirited and known for his honesty.
On both of his journeys to New Zealand, Wilson brought Indian and Eurasian servants with him. Initially they lived in small huts, but in 1870 Wilson built them a substantial stone accommodation house a few hundred yards from his homestead, where they could live communally. No details survive of the building's construction, though the stone is reputed to have come from a quarry on nearby Marleys Hill. The design has been likened to a vernacular English farmhouse of a few centuries before.
Not all of the Indians' found the cold Canterbury climate or the low wages of the patriarchal Sir John to their liking. In 1873 Wilson took some of them to court for deserting from hired service. A few died and others returned to India, but some remained and worked on the estate for many years. Wilson allowed his servants land and stock of their own, and independence once their term was up. Those who retired in his service received houses. The ghosts of some the Indian servants are said to haunt the old servants' quarters.
Up until the 1950s, farm workers continued to live in the Old Stone House (as it came to be known). However with mechanisation and the reduction in size of the Cashmere estate through subdivision, there was less need for staff accommodation, and much of the building was used for storage or vacant. As farm needs declined, community groups such as the Girl Guides were permitted to use the space. During the war years, the building was requisitioned by the armed forces, and housed the Signals Section of the Combined Head Quarters Southern Command. In 1966 Sir John's great grandson, John Frederick Cracroft Wilson gave the Old Stone House to the Student Christian Movement, an occasional user of the building between 1919 and WWII, and a frequent user thereafter. Members began substantial renovations the following year, and in 1969 a semi-autonomous Old Stone House Trust was formed with the intention of developing a national conference centre. Unfortunately disaster struck in July 1971, when the Old Stone House was reduced to a shell by fire.
By mid 1972 however, the decision had been made to construct a new community facility within the old walls. The Cracroft Community Centre was incorporated in December 1972, and was subsequently given the building's lease by the Old Stone House Trust. In May 1976 a public appeal was launched to help meet the projected (1975) $85, 000 restoration cost, with author Dame Ngaio Marsh as patron. After much lobbying, the Christchurch City Council agreed in 1978 to give $70, 000 towards the then (1977) $120, 000 restoration. The Heathcote County Council also assisted financially. Architect Bruce McGregor completed plans, and a $103, 000 contract was awarded to builder J. A. Harris in July 1978. Construction of the new community centre commenced in September that year, and was completed for an official opening on 17 November 1979 at a total cost (including furniture and fittings) of $157, 500. A considerable amount of labour was contributed by volunteers, who carried out a myriad of tasks, including sourcing slate and timber for the roof from the old Marylands School in Halswell, cutting the decorative bargeboards, pointing stonework and doing landscaping. The restored building consisted of two craft/games room in the sub-basement; and a single large hall with a partial mezzanine, a meeting room, and lean-to kitchen and stores at first floor level. The attic rooms were not recreated, thus giving the main room a 'cathedral' ceiling.
The Old Stone House has been well utilized in succeeding years, with a regular programme of activities. The building is also in demand as a social venue, and is particularly popular for weddings.
In 1853, with his heath failing, Wilson took a protracted holiday. Whilst in Australia he learned of the opportunities in New Zealand, and chartered a ship to take his retinue to Lyttelton. Arriving in April 1854, Wilson brought three up-country runs and a 108 ha property on the Port Hills he named Cashmere, after Kashmir in India. Cashmere was later extended to 2000 ha. In December 1854 with his leave about to expire, Wilson returned to India and resumed his position. Two years later the Indian Mutiny broke out, and he served with distinction. On the basis of his service, Wilson was created a Knight of the Star of India in 1872.
In 1859 Wilson retired and returned to Canterbury and Cashmere permanently, where he soon became active in politics and local affairs. He served as a member of Parliament and the Provincial Council, on church vestries, school committees, a roads board, the Acclimatisation Society, the Canterbury College Board of Governors, the Amuri County Council, the Canterbury Musical Society, the Canterbury Jockey Club, and as a major in the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. A colourful, egocentric and at times controversial character - once described as 'Toryism on two legs', 'Nabob' Wilson (as he was popularly known) was also public-spirited and known for his honesty.
On both of his journeys to New Zealand, Wilson brought Indian and Eurasian servants with him. Initially they lived in small huts, but in 1870 Wilson built them a substantial stone accommodation house a few hundred yards from his homestead, where they could live communally. No details survive of the building's construction, though the stone is reputed to have come from a quarry on nearby Marleys Hill. The design has been likened to a vernacular English farmhouse of a few centuries before.
Not all of the Indians' found the cold Canterbury climate or the low wages of the patriarchal Sir John to their liking. In 1873 Wilson took some of them to court for deserting from hired service. A few died and others returned to India, but some remained and worked on the estate for many years. Wilson allowed his servants land and stock of their own, and independence once their term was up. Those who retired in his service received houses. The ghosts of some the Indian servants are said to haunt the old servants' quarters.
Up until the 1950s, farm workers continued to live in the Old Stone House (as it came to be known). However with mechanisation and the reduction in size of the Cashmere estate through subdivision, there was less need for staff accommodation, and much of the building was used for storage or vacant. As farm needs declined, community groups such as the Girl Guides were permitted to use the space. During the war years, the building was requisitioned by the armed forces, and housed the Signals Section of the Combined Head Quarters Southern Command. In 1966 Sir John's great grandson, John Frederick Cracroft Wilson gave the Old Stone House to the Student Christian Movement, an occasional user of the building between 1919 and WWII, and a frequent user thereafter. Members began substantial renovations the following year, and in 1969 a semi-autonomous Old Stone House Trust was formed with the intention of developing a national conference centre. Unfortunately disaster struck in July 1971, when the Old Stone House was reduced to a shell by fire.
By mid 1972 however, the decision had been made to construct a new community facility within the old walls. The Cracroft Community Centre was incorporated in December 1972, and was subsequently given the building's lease by the Old Stone House Trust. In May 1976 a public appeal was launched to help meet the projected (1975) $85, 000 restoration cost, with author Dame Ngaio Marsh as patron. After much lobbying, the Christchurch City Council agreed in 1978 to give $70, 000 towards the then (1977) $120, 000 restoration. The Heathcote County Council also assisted financially. Architect Bruce McGregor completed plans, and a $103, 000 contract was awarded to builder J. A. Harris in July 1978. Construction of the new community centre commenced in September that year, and was completed for an official opening on 17 November 1979 at a total cost (including furniture and fittings) of $157, 500. A considerable amount of labour was contributed by volunteers, who carried out a myriad of tasks, including sourcing slate and timber for the roof from the old Marylands School in Halswell, cutting the decorative bargeboards, pointing stonework and doing landscaping. The restored building consisted of two craft/games room in the sub-basement; and a single large hall with a partial mezzanine, a meeting room, and lean-to kitchen and stores at first floor level. The attic rooms were not recreated, thus giving the main room a 'cathedral' ceiling.
The Old Stone House has been well utilized in succeeding years, with a regular programme of activities. The building is also in demand as a social venue, and is particularly popular for weddings.
