Old timber business pulls up its roots

By WAYNE THOMPSON

One of the oldest businesses in Newmarket, Cashmore Bros timber merchants, is to close at the end of the month.

When Cashmores set up their yard in 1924, the Kent St site was a swampy piece of land shared by other light industry, including Ambury's milk treatment factory and a bakery.

Today, Newmarket is widely known for its luxury and fashion shops and only Cashmores remains from a once thriving cluster of timber yards and other firms serving the building and construction industries.

Company director Gordon Cashmore said yesterday that with the development of Newmarket as a prestige retail location the operation was out of step with its neighbours.

Congested streets and heavy Machinery operating in the confines of the yard made access difficult for delivery trucks and customers.

The business also faced the rise of large-scale building supply outlets elsewhere in Auckland and changes in the buying patterns of traditional trade customers.

Mr Cashmore said it was sad having to break the news yesterday to the seven staff, one of whom had given 36 years of loyal service.

Mr Cashmore's grandfather, Elon, set up the yard after the family sawmill at Cox's Creek burned down.

Timber from the yard was dried and dressed in the yard for supply to such huge Auckland projects as the Civic Theatre and Mercy Hospital.

Native timber from the Cashmore's forest and sawmill at Tokoroa was also processed at Newmarket.

In 1962, Walter Cashmore and his sons, Gordon and Owen, set up a sawmill and timber yard at Silverdale, which is still going.

Gordon Cashmore, 77, said he joined the firm 40 years ago after working in engineering for Mason Bros.

He runs the timber business, Owen oversees the forestry side.

Mr Cashmore said the staff had a great knowledge of the timber industry.

Everything possible would be done to help them, including assistance with finding other jobs and payment of redundancy compensation.