MAUKU ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13625, 19 December 1907, Page 8

MAUKU ITEMS.

[jfHOM OUR OWS OOKRESPONBKXT.] An' enjoyable picnio was held in connection with the breaking up of the Waiau school for the Christmas holidays. The school is in charge of Miss M. Hill, and l at the recent examination all the pupils passed. The picnic was held on the farm of Mr. F. Finlay, near the Manukau beach, and was attended by nearly all in the district. Races were hold, and prizes for all tho children were provided, with a liberal supply of refreshments. In the evening a dance was held in tho school. It is at Waiau that a lot of furze-farming is done, Messrs. Ouff, McLaughlin, and Youngbusband being the principal owners, and having over 500 acres thus occupied. The crops flourish, and are capable of carrying a largo number of sheep. The late Mr. W. McLaughlin stated that he was quite satisfied that furze-farming was a success. It is not because- the laud is poor that furzegrowing has been taken to here, for good crops of ryegrass and clover were to bo Been in tho district last season. Mr. Cuff, jun., had tho traction engine and hay-baling machine on his farm, baling up some beautiful clover hay for sending to Auckland. Tho whole face of the country has boon changed since furze-farming was started. Tho proposed railway from Waiuku to Mauku will bo a. groat benefit to the Waiau settlers. The New Zealand Dairy Association have purchased a piece of land from Mr. Moor, of Patumahoe, to erect a creamery upon, the price paid being £30 an acre. It is not proposed to build there till next season. The return of butter-fat for the creamery for the month of November was 16401b. The Mauku Athletic Club's annual sports, to be held on Now Year's Day, promise to bo a big success. Difficulty is being experienced in preparing tlie land for the winter crops of turnips, as the soil has got too hard to work into decent order. A night's steady rain would bo of great benefit.