Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Mr. John Aitchison , Engineer-in-Charge of the Burnside Freezing Works, was born at Kaitangata in 1863, and served his apprenticeship to the engineering trade with Messrs James Davidson and Co., of the Otago Foundry. In 1885 he joined the Burnside works as assistant engineer to Mr. John Scott, the first engineer of the works, and was appointed to his present position in 1895. Mr. Aitchison is the inventor of an appliance or switch, which he has erected at the Burnside works to facilitate rapid handling in setting grades of sheep together in the cooling chambers. The switch used for this purpose works on the drop principle; and as the straight switch, lifts out, a curved one drop in. The attachment for accomplishing this is worked by a wooden handle attached to a cord, which does away with the necessity for handling the switch. The patent is also in use at the Oamaru works. Mr. Aitchison is a member of the Green Island Bowling Club, and has been connected with several Dunedin cricket clubs. He has held a commission as lieutenant in the Green Island Rifle Volunteers since November, 1902, and is referred to in that connection at page 134 of this volume. Mr. Aitchison was married, in 1888, to a daughter of Mr. John Scott (father of the late Mayor of Dunedin), and has two sons and two daughters.