Walter Bassett descends from #149B William Bassett as follows:
William Bassett (b. 1680) and wife Ann Ripper
William Bassett (b. 1711) and wife Margery Greenfield
William Bassett (b. 1736) and wife Eleanor Sampson
William Bassett (b. 1762) and wife Jane Mathews
John Bassett (b. 1790) and wife Martha Carbis
John Bassett (b. 1820) and wife Catherine Davey
Francis Davey Bassett (b. 1843) and wife Elizabeth Ann Scott
Walter Bassett (b. 1885)
The Bendigo Independent, Victoria, Australia, Saturday, 24 May 1913
With Poultry Fanciers
Mr. W. Bassett, miner, of Hill street, is one of the most enthusiastic members of the Bendigo Poultry Society. When one sees his yard he cannot wonder that he is but energetic in anything that he is associated with. Some three years ago he was induced into the poultry fancing hobby. He decided on the prize birds in in preference to the layers. He started with an Ellis black orpington cockerel and hen. The cock is now a fine good typed bird. He has been awarded several prizes, including a gold medal. The medal was won at Kilmore. Three judges had ten birds in the section to examine. When they were near the end they overhauled the first three birds and gave the prize to Mr. Bassett. The hen is not too large, but has a fine head, splendid body, and perfect feet and legs, and it is no wonder that at the three shows at which she was shown that she gained three first prizes.
Mr. Bassett has bred from the Ellis pair, and this year he has several excellent chickens with which he should gain many prizes. One pullet in particular gives much promise. She is a clear typed bird. This season’s stock has a little of the Mitchell strain mixed, and layers will be bred during the coming hatch for next year’s pens at Kangaroo Flat will be equal to Burnley.
The main house is 10ft x 10ft neatly constructed of cheap wood amongst rose bushes and other garden greenery. This has a two fold effect. One of making the place look smart, while the second is of providing shelter during the hot days for the birds. Besides the big shed there are smaller ones. One like a small cage with wooden bars is raised 3 ft and into this any sickly bird is placed. She is isolated, and Mr. Bassett is able to give her much attention. With this he has frequently found that a disease is kept from the rest of the stock. Probably it was on account of this great precaution that Mr. Bassett was free from the chicken pox this year. Round the runs, which are in front of each pen, green feed is grown, and when required is chopped into fine pieces. The fowls are healthy.
In addition to the orpingtons, Mr. Basset has four American rock hens, and two cockerels. These birds, which will very shortly be laying, look like six overgrown and moulting chickens, but as they are reputed egg producers, Mr. Bassett intends studying them. His yard is complete with two old English game bantams. He has two of the midget ornamental fowls, which were presented to one of the children some time ago.
Mr. Bassett is deserving of great praise for the splendid example he is showing other poultry men. It behoves many more miners to share his enjoyment after a shift below. He says he cannot understand why he did not take a fancy to poultry years ago. He finds it a splendid pastime and is very optimistic and hopes to see his name on more first prize tickets.