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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Mr. David Mitchell
Mr. David Mitchell , Chief Engineer of the Ocean Beach Freezing Works, was born in 1851, at Brechin, Forfarshire. Scotland, where he was educated at Farniel school. He served his time as a mill-wright at Redford, and after working for two years in engineering works at Montrose, was engineer in several mills in that town. He afterwards worked on the Tyne, and then went to sea as engineer on a coastal steamer. After passing his examination as second engineer at Leith, he went to China as second engineer on the steamer “Miramar” When he had been two years on the China coast he passed an examination at Hong Kong, and received a first-class colonial certificate, and was appointed chief of the boat. He remained nearly two years in that capacity, and after returning to Britain, passed his examination at Dundee. On receiving his first-class certificate, he was appointed chief engineer of the s.s. “Delhi,” trading to India, and was in that trade for three years and a-half When he left he came to New Zealand. During all his time at sea, about ten years, he was with one company, It may be mentioned that at the time Mr Mitchell passed at Hong Kong, the colonial certificates were of no avail in the Old Country, though they are now, and have been for years; so that he had to pass again when he went Home. Mr Mitchell arrived at Port Chalmers by the s.s. “Rimutaka,” in 1886, and after residing for a short time in Dunedin, removed to Invercargill with a dredge which he erected and worked for the Corporation. He had a good deal to do with the inauguration of the Invercargill water works, and in 1888 was employed in working the plant. After three years' service under the Invercargill Corporation, Mr Mitchell was appointed to his present position as chief engineer at the Ocean Beach Freezing Works, and supervised the erection of the plant. Mr Mitchell is a prominent member of the Presbyterian church at the Bluff, and has been for some years superintendent of the Ocean Beach Sunday school. As a Freemason, he is attached to Lodge Fortitude at the Bluff, and was Junior Deacon of his Lodge in 1904, Mr Mitchell was married, in 1871, to a daughter of the late Mr William Crabb, of Carmyllie, Arbroath, Scotland, and has five daughters and three sons.