The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Pokerau
Pokerau.
Pukerau is a small farming township ninety-one miles from Dunedin, on the main line of railway, and forty-nine miles from Invercargill. The settlement was formerly included in the Otikerama run, owned by Captain Boyd, but this was cut up for settlement, in small areas, about 1877. Pukerau has a post and telegraph office, railway station, Presbyterian church, Roman Catholic chapel, two stores, a public school, and an Athenseum and public hall. Farming is carried on in the surrounding district, and Mr. Norton's brick and drain pipe works constitute an important industry.
Mr. J. Norton.
Oaklands Farm (William Scoular, proprietor), Pukerau. This property was formerly part of the Merino Downs estate, which was owned by the late Mr. Hugh Macintyre, and on the subdivision of this run it was purchased by Mr. David Murray, who worked it until 1900, when he sold out to Mr. Scoular. Oaklands Farm comprises 1,450 acres of undulating land, most of which is arable, and has been brought to a high state of cultivation. Large quantities of lime have been introduced into the soil, which is systematically worked. The property is subdivided into nineteen paddocks, which are well fenced and drained, and clumps of trees for shelter purposes have been planted on various part of the farm. Sufficient crops for stock purposes are raised, but sheepfarming is the chief industry. About 1,600 sheep are shorn annually, including 1,200 crossbred ewes, and Mr. Scoular makes a feature of breeding Romney rams, of which he has a stud flock of 110. For four years in succession he has won the championship prizes at the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show. The homestead at Oaklands stands on a commanding site, surrounded by a well kept garden, and the farm outbuildings are well appointed.