Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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O'Brien, Alfred, J.P., Sheepfarmer, “The White-lands,” Paraparumu. Born in 1853 in London, where he was educated, Mr. O'Brien was on the London Corn Exchange for twenty-four years, during eight of which he was in business on his own behalf. In 1891 he came to New Zealand via Australia, and purchased 420 acres of land partly improved, settling as above. Mr. O'Brien has laid down the whole in the test English grasses, the bush having been all felled. The residence, which is a credit to the district, is surrounded by well laid out lawns and flower borders, a fine orchard of 200 choice trees having been planted behind the house. The establishment supports 1000 sheep of the best Romney and Hampshire varieties, about fifty head of cattle, and some horses. Mr. O'Brien has some very fine Berkshire pigs, to the breeding of which he pays great attention. He has erected a substantial cowshed, woolshed, sheep-yards, and other conveniences, the whole property being in first rate-order. He takes considerable interest in local matters, being chairman of the school committee, and is a director of the United Farmers' Co-operative Association, and a member of the committee of the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. O'Brien was married in 1888 to a daughter of Mr. T.F. Quin, of London and West Africa, merchant and shipowner, and has two sons and two daughters.