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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Fitchett, Ashton Buddle
Fitchett, Ashton Buddle, Dairy Farmer, Ohiro Farm, Wellington. From his farm, Mr. Fitchett conducts an extensive wholesale and retail milk business. This business was established by the present proprietor's father in 1852. The farm is a large one, and almost wholly freehold. Mr. Fitchett has 90 cows in milk all the year round. The average output is 140 gallons of milk daily. In winter fifty cows are housed, and the whole herd is fed on ensilage, brewers' grains, corn, pollard, and meal. Hay is sometimes added. Mr. Fitchett is a noted maker of ensilage, and makes about 150 tons every year. He got a prize for his ensilage exhibit at the Wellington Agricultural Show of 1892. The cows on the farm are a good strain of the colonial bred cattle. Mr. Fitchett acted as a judge of Ayrshire cattle at the Palmerston Show of 1895. The machinery used on the farm includes a digester and bone crusher, and, in the dairy, a Tuxon and Hammerich Cream Separator, with a capacity of about 40 gallons an hour. The separator is driven by a 4-horse power steam engine. Mr. Fitchett was born in Wellington in 1844, educated at Toomath's School, Wellington Terrace, and upon leaving school entered the present business. He is a member of the Vogeltown School Committee, is a widower with five children, and employs thirteen hands in his business.