PUKEKAWA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 257, 9 March 1917, Page 1

PUKEKAWA.

By our travelling correspondent.) Pukekawa in the minds of many is regarded as " a place away on the hills." The journey there from Tuakau by the side of the lovely Waikato is a pleasant one. As soon as tho well spanned bridge is crossed the road by the river is followed for a short distance Leaving the river the road is amid waving plumes of flax, which act as way-side signals to brighten tho journey here being on tho flat while the towering lulls act as guarding sentinels around. When one emerges from this portion of tho road and follows the motal tiack, histoiv reveals the past habitations of the Maori race by the standing existence of old huts and iiaxed dwelling-houses which form a link with the distant past. Then through the at different periods during the day brightcoloured Maoris appear and these give some enrichment to the darkening green of the foliage around, and rob the country of its utter lonliness. To Pukekawa is a roadway of circling hills, and when sufficient ascent is made tho view is a delightful one. Here tho baauties of the country unfold, and the far-stretching hills are dottod hero and there with the rude and simple huts of the darkskinned natives confirm the oft expressed remark as to the thinly populated dominion. Leaving that portion of tho horseshoe bend the country tells by the modern redroofed dwelling • houses that are seen perched on the hillside of greater development and prosperity. Few districts excell Pukekawa for sheep and cattle grazing and the brood mares with their well set foals which are to be seen in the paddocks serve to keep alive the interest in draught horse breeding. The country abounds in possibilities. " Away on the hills" is suggestive of a health-breathing district, but Pukekawa is not without some link with the outer world. Scattered as Pukekawa is, it boasts of a store and telephone bur'eau, a public hall and fair sized school. Sunday services are at present held in the school. Mainly through the generosity of Mr Orr, sen., an undenominational hall is being erected which will add to the conveniences of the district. On a farm of 400 acres belonging to Mrs Cleddis and managed by Mr Mace are some fine specimens of Holsteins, altogether 28 dairy cows being kept, while the place iuns 800 sheep, principalljPßomney cross, and 12 horses. Lucerne grows well hero and a paddock of throe acres, which had been sowu two years, had fed off until last October. At the middle of January a good crop of tons had been cut. There is a good demand for land and tome in the district had recently changed hands for dairying purposes at £25 an acre. Pukekawa is indeed a place rich in possibilities but needs closer settlement. A journey thither is a source of delight as the grandeur and resources of the district await the traveller at every turn.