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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.

Norton, John , Brick and Drain Pipe Manufacturer, Pukerau. Mr. Norton was born in Hallaton, Leicestershire, England, where he was brought up to the trade of a brickmaker. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Zealandia” in 1875, and spent a year at Dunedin and a year at Roxburgh before settling at Chatton, where he remained until 1881, when he settled at Pukerau and established his present business. Mr. Norton is a member of the Cemetery Trustees, the Domain Board, and also of the Athenseum committee. He served on the local school committee for sixteen years, during
Mr. J. Norton.

Mr. J. Norton.

which he was chairman for ten years and secretary for four years. He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1892. Mr. Norton married a daughter of the late Mr. William Eadie, of Pukerau, and has one son and one daughter.

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.

Mr. William Scoular , the Proprietor, is a son of Mr. James Scoular, for many years a well known merchant in Dunedin. Mr. W. Scoular was born in Victoria, and as a child, in 1863, was brought to Dunedin, where he was educated. He learned the ironmongery business in Dunedin and Christchurch, and then went to Sydney, where he was engaged as a commercial traveller for five years. Mr. Scoular subsequently commenced business on his own account, in New South Wales, but afterwards returned to Dunedin, and in 1900 bought his present fine property. He is an enthusiastic and diligent farmer, and works his land on scientific lines. Mr. Scoular is a member of the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and
Mr. And Mrs W. Scoular And Family

Mr. And Mrs W. Scoular And Family

page 759 has been a director of the Southland Farmers' Co-operative Association from its inception. He has also served on the Pukerau school committee. Mr. Scoular married a daughter of the late Mr. Christopher A. Calvert, of Christchurch, and has three sons and three daughters.