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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Goldie, David

Goldie, David, Timber Merchant, Albert Street and Breakwater Road, Auckland. Telephones 58 and 96. P.O. Box 218. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Goldie was born in Hobart, Tasmania, and served an apprenticeship to carpentry with the well-known firm of Messrs Cheverton and Andrews. In 1863 he came to Auckland, New Zealand, and for a time worked at his trade in the city; but during the Waikato war he, in conjunction with some companions, took a contract for the erection of buildings for the use of the troops when they returned to Auckland at the close of the war. Mr. Goldie continued contracting for a time, but later on he took the management of the timber yard of Messrs G. Holdship and Co. After a few years he started in the timber trade on his own account, and from a small beginning the business has increased to such an extent that he has at the present time two mills fully employed; indeed, one mill works night and day, with two shifts of men, and the night shift carries on its operations by the electric light. Mr. Goldie is now busy erecting a third mill, more powerful than either of the other two. A large quantity of the timber cut at Mr. Goldie's mills is sent to the other Colonies, and to England. Mr. Arthur Goldie, the eldest son of the proprietor, manages the mills. The buildings in Albert Street, with a floorage space of 10,800 square feet, consist of a one-storey galvanized building and large galvanized iron sheds, and the machinery consists of planing machines and circular saw benches, etc. At this depot the planing and manufacturing are carried on, and the motive power is obtained from a steam engine of twelve horse-power. At the Oceanio mill there are a timber yard, and extensive galvanized iron sheds, with a total floorage space of 35,000 square feet. These premises adjoin the railway terminus goods depot, and are connected by short railway sidings, by which the logs can be run direct on the trucks to the breaking down saws without the extra labour of reloading. Labour-saving conveniences and appliances are much in evidence at the mills, which have their own wharf at the yard frontage on the shore of the Waitemata harbour. On this wharf galvanized iron sheds are provided for the safe storage of dry timber for export, and for preserving it from the wet weather. The machinery employed on the premises consists of breaking down saws, deal frame saws, wood lathes, fret saws, and all other necessary appliances of the newest type, and a powerful twenty-five horse-power engine and boiler drive the immense shafting. In addition to its special local and export trade, the firm imports timber from other countries, and ironmongery and nails from Great Britain and Belgium.