Puhoi, on the Puhoi river, thirty-five miles north from the city of Auckland, is settled chiefly by Germans, of whom there are five or six hundred in the district. The settlers are for the most part small farmers. In some of the neighbouring districts fruitgrowing and the wine industry are carried on extensively. The nearest township is Waiwera, which is about five miles away on the sea coast. There are well known hot springs, and a post, telegraph and money order office at Waiwera, which is connected by coach and steamer with Auckland.

Puhoi Public School. This school was founded for the purpose of educating the children of the special settlers who arrived from Bohemia many years ago and settled at Puhoi. The school is situated on rising ground, facing the Puhoi river, and thence one can obtain a magnificent view of the surrounding country, which is not unlike the Upper Wanganui district. The schoolhouse is built of wood, and contains one large class room, besides lavatories. There are seventy scholars on the roll, and there is an average attendance of fifty-six. The master, Mr. T. D. Rice, is ably assisted by Miss Keaney.

Mr. Thomas Dominic Rice, Master of Puhoi Public School, is the youngest son of Mr. Stephen Daniel Rice, late of Lisloughton Abbey, Tralee, Kerry, Ireland. He was born at Hakaru, in the county of Rodney, Auckland, and was educated at various public schools as well as privately. In 1887 he entered the service of the Auckland Board of Education, as a pupil teacher, and was subsequently appointed master successively at Redhill, Northern Wairoa, and at Hobsonville, and in November, 1898, he received his present appointment. Mr. Rice takes a active interest in cricket, has been captain of the Puhoi Cricket Club for some years, and is secretary of the Waitemata Cricket Association.