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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Macklow Bros

Macklow Bros. (William Charles Macklow, Walter Joseph Macklow, and Thomas Macklow), Auckland. Sawmills, Mechanics' Bay. Telephone 598. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. The Messrs Macklow Bros. arrived in New Zealand as boys in 1864 by the ship “Eagle Speed,” from London. They are natives of England, and on arriving in the Colony they commenced farming at Mahurangi, and successfully carried on for a number of years in that line Having a large quantity of high-class timber on their land, and not finding a profitable market for it, they started a sawmill in 1888. Since that date the business of the firm has steadily increased, until it has reached its present large proportions. The firm's specially is kauri timber of the very finest quality, a soft mud wood, which is in great demand amongst all the joiners and cabinetmakers of Auckland. It has extensive machinery for the rapid manufacture of gum, fruit, and other boxes at a small cost, and is in an unrivalled position in regard to work of that description. Messrs Macklow have extensive kauri and kahikatea bushes which they work, and they bring the logs to the mill at Auckland by their own scows. The premises are two stories in height, and are built of wood and iron, with a floorage space exceeding 100,000 square feet. They are situated conveniently to the city, and have approaches from the harbour. The machinery employed comprises circular saws, deal frames, planing machines, moulding machines, re-cutting saws, band saws, fret saws, and numerous other wood-working machines, which are all driven by a 160 horse-power steam engine. The employees average fully forty in number, besides men employed in the bushes and on the scows. The firm does a large local trade, and also throughout New Zealand, but the principal business is an export one, and in this respect it may be considered one of the most extensive in the Auckland province. The firm is a direct importer of machinery, and of many other articles required in its business. Messrs Macklow Bros. still have their farm at Mahurangi. It is under the management of the junior member of the firm, Mr. Thomas Macklow, and, despite the fluctuation and depression of the produce market from time to time, they have, as farmers, held their own and proved themselves the right men in the right place.