Mr. John Barrett, who is a Director, and also the Overseer of the Addington Central Dairy Factory, was born in West Australia in 1855. He arrived with his parents in Canterbury, and received his education at the old High School in Lincoln Road, now the West Christchurch School. His father, the late Mr. Thomas Barrett, took up 350 acres of land at Tai Tapu. Mr. Barrett was on the farm until he went to learn the grocery business with Mr. Gillespie in High Street—the leading grocer of that time—and had fourteen years' useful experience in that establishment. He was also with the late Mr. L. Preece, of Papanui Road, for some years. In 1884, Mr. Barrett started farming at Spreydon, where he worked till 1898, and during that period showed considerable interest in the dairy industry, making many experiments of his own on his farm. He was elected a director of the Central Dairy Factory in 1893, was re-elected at the annual meeting three years later, and appointed overseer in 1897. Since his appointment the company has paid dividends at the end of each financial year. Mr. Barrett was married in 1882 to Miss Emily M. Johnstone, fourth daughter of Mr. Joseph Johnstone, of Springfield Road, and has one son.