HISTORIC SMITHY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 14 October 1941, Page 8

HISTORIC SMITHY

LINK WITH EARLY DAYS Cambridge, Oct. 12. With a change of ownership of the blacksmith and farrier’s shop in Anzac street an old family name will be dissociated from a business that has served the district of Cambridge for over 70 year... After 55 years of Macksmithing Mi John R. Gemmell, who took over the business from his father, is retiring owing to the impossibility of replacing his assistant, who lias been called up for military service. Established by Mr Thomas Gemmell m 1386, the old smithy still retains something of the atmosphere of the romantic early days. Rows of horseshoes, odd pieces of broken implements, tongs, anvils, bolts and rusty horseshoe nails are still there to suggest the bustle and stir that must have taken place on the arrival of Carter’s coach from Auckland or a waggon and team from Pukerim u. The present owner of the business has worked in the shop since the age of 14. At that time five men were employed, their work ranging from making and mending farm implements to shoeing horses.—PA