Association Ends After 63 Years

After an association of 63 years with the transport industry in Gisborne, the three-generation carrying business of Clare and Clare Ltd has been purchased by Carter Holt Holdings Ltd. The ever-increasing need for high-cost specialised vehicles in the transport industry is producing a trend where large public companies are taking over from family concerns such as Clare and Clare. The company started in 1910 in a small building on the river side of Read's Quay. This was before Clare and Clare occupied the concrete building on the Childers Road corner. The company, while still retaining that building, moved to the present new complex of 30,000 square feet, on 2½ acres in the Awapuni subdivision, in April, 1971.

Mr Lionel Clare, who formed the company in 1910. After his death in 1929, the company was operated by his son, Mr Ronald Clare.

Mr Randal Clare, who has been operating the business since his father (Mr Ron Clare) died in 1969. He has been in the business for 22 years.

This photo by Dunstan & Kinge shows the present site of the company in the Awapuni Industrial Subdivision

The company premises, well known for many years, on the Read's Quay-Childers Road corner

Trailers are nothing new in the carrying business. This line-up of boilers is pictured just before delivery, sometime in the 1920s.

A 1921 staff picture.

Three of the company's long and faithful employees pictured are, from top: Gordon Fearn (30 years), Frank Wildish (40 years) and James Lamont (50 years).

Clare and Clare (arrowed) also operated a fleet of four ships in the early days, around New Zealand and to Australia. This is the 'Maroro', in 1926, arriving back in port after a stormy 45 day voyage across the Tasman, bringing coal from Newcastle to Gisborne.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 228 : June 20, 1973

Association Ends After 63 Years