.jpg)
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Murdoch, Alexander
Murdoch, Alexander , Altrive Farm, Riversdale. Mr Murdoch was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where he followed farming in his early years. He came to New Zealand in 1871 by the ship “William Davie,” resided at Green Island for a short time, and then settled in the Oamaru district. In 1879 he bought 871 acres of land in the Ngapara district from Mr John Borton. Mr Murdoch named his place “Riverside,” which became noted for the splendid stud flocks of English and Border Leicesters kept by him. The Borderers originated from one ram and six ewes bought in 1881 from the famous flock of Messrs Little Brothers, and were direct descendants from imported stock. Besides these, Mr Murdoch from time to time added other sheep from the best bred British and colonial flocks. Mr Murdoch exhibited in 1886 at Waimate, Christchurch, Dunedin, Oamaru and Timaru, and gained most of the first and champion prizes, besides many minor prizes. The English Leicesters were established in 1890, as immediate descendants of imported stock, and have attained a well-assured celebrity. Mr Murdoch always took an active part in local affairs while he was in North Otago, and was chairman of the Island Cliff school committee. He was a member of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association for over twenty-five years. While he was in North Otago, Mr Murdoch possessed, in addition to “Riverside,” a leasehold run of 9,000 acres in the Kyeburn district. In 1898, he sold “Riverside,” and also parted with his Kyeburn property, and went to settle in the Riversdale district, to which he also took his pure bred sheep, which he still continues to breed and exhibit with distinguished success. He has three properties at Riversdale; namely, Altrive Farm, of 350 acres, on which he has his homestead; Stanley Downs, 1,500 acres; and Highfield, 569 acres. As a farmer, Mr Murdoch's principal purpose is the production of grass and turnips to feed and fatten sheep, and with that end in view he generally ploughs from 400 to 500 acres of land every year. Like most of his countrymen, Mr Murdoch cherishes the memory of the poets of his native land, and so he has named his home-farm after that of Mr James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd. Mr Murdoch was married, in 1889, and has a family of four sons.
page 1043.jpg)
A Group Of Mr. A. Murdoch's Border Leicester Flock.