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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Farmers

Farmers.

Aitken Brothers (Robert and Andrew Aitken), Farmers, Opihi. The property of these brothers consists of 225 acres of improved land, and is worked as a mixed farm. The partners are sons of the late Mr. Andrew Aitken, of Opihi.

Mr. Robert Aitken was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in 1859, and accompanied his parents to New Zealand, in 1863. He was brought up to country life, and for about twenty-five years he was employed on the Opuha station, which he managed for ten years. Mr. Aitken was married, in 1884, to a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Shewan, of the Shetland Isles, and has five sons and two daughters.

Mr. Andrew Aitken was born in 1861, in Dumbartonshire, Scotland. He was brought to New Zealand in 1863, and joined his brother in 1891.

Beedell, William, Farmer, Opihi. Mr. Beedell was born in 1843 in the parish of Washfield, near Tiverton, Devonshire, England, where he was bought up to country life. He arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Elmstone” in 1868, and went to Oamaru, and soon afterwards to Waiareka, and then started farming at Fen Valley. About the year 1877 he went to Pleasant Point, where he worked Long Hill Farm for a number of years. In May, 1892, Mr. Beedell settled at Opihi, where he farms fifty-three acres of freehold, upon which his residence stands, and also 263 acres of leasehold land, known as Highland Hut Estate, the property of Mr. W. B. Howell. He has served as a member of the local school committee. Mr. Beedell was married, in 1876, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Cheldon, of Devonshire. His wife died on the 8th of October, 1902, leaving three daughters and one son.

Cartwright, Robert, Farmer, Opihi. Mr. Cartwright was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in April, 1855, and was brought up to country life by his father, who was a farmer. He arrived in New Zealand by the ship “Atrata” in 1874, and for ten years was employed in navvy work in connection with railway and road construction. Mr. Cartwright bought 290 acres of land at Raincliff, but some years later, in consequence of the necessity for educating his children, he sold this property, and settled on 382 acres of freehold land in the Opihi district. He has been a member of the local school committee for some time. Mr. Cartwright was married, in 1877, to a daughter of the late Mr. J. Bracken, of County Fermanagh, Ireland, and has five sons and four daughters.

Mr. Andrew Aitken was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in 1828. He was brought up to country life, and came to Timaru in the ship “Lancashire Witch,” in 1863, For a time he and his wife lived at Opuha station, the property of Mr. William Hornbrook, but afterwards owned by the Hon. T. H. Wigley. Mr. Aitken afterwards bought twenty-five acres of land at Opihi, where he resided until his death on the 7th of April, 1893. For a short time he served as a member of the Opihi school committee. Mr. Aitken was married in 1857 to a daughter of the late Mr, R. Muirhead, of Dumbartonshire, Scotland, and had seven sons and three daughters. Three sons and one daughter have died. Mrs Aitken still lives and has sixteen grandchildren.