It is a marvellously rich farming plain. Early settlers discovered how well wheat grew. It was a risky choice for farming as often the seasons were not quite hot enough to ripen the seed properly. But in years when the seasons obliged, there were excellent yields. Farmers favoured the gamble and the
area was used to crop wheat
year after year. Not so surprisingly over-cropping was the result. Fortunately, conscientious farmers since
have returned fertility to the land. Later farmers turned to sheep and, as both wool and meat prices were good, the area remained prosperous.

The railway ran through this valley to Lumsden, and because of its good railway junction Balfour became a farming support town. The government passed a law to the effect that all stock was to be moved by rail and towns like Balfour blossomed. Settlers came to man the railway, and work on the farms. Stock firms soon established representatives there. Shops, pubs, a Post Office, and three banks thrived here. And they all required staff to man the services, so Balfour became an even better town.

The local garage did so well that at one stage it boasted the biggest turnover of Ford cars and tractors in the South Island. Then a series of happenings changed Balfour’s fortunes.

A Dunedin butcher bought the garage and in trying to bring it up to date, established a fleet of salesmen who were linked by radio phones.

Local farmers preferred traditional ways and rejected this new ‘American’ approach. Such was the effect that the garage was forced to close. This left the team of salesmen and mechanics without work. The law that required stock to travel by rail





was revoked and truck firms competed. The democratic change was a blow to
Balfour. The railway closed and this sparked another exodus. The second shop closed and one of the two pubs put up its shutters for the last time. The school which employed nine teachers had to let three of them go.

Then came the end of farming subsidies, and a drop in prices for both wool and meat. Farmers had to put off workers and neighbour bought out neighbour.

The changing circumstances left many houses empty. At least the area’s excellent fishing remained unaffected by the gloom. Many of the homes have gone to American anglers who spend their annual holidays in what they rate as one of the best fishing areas of the world.

There are three denominational Churches in Balfour. The influence of Scotland is still strong so about thirty people attend the Presbyterian Church each Sunday.
The Roman Catholic Church has lost its local priest, and is now coupled with the Gore Parish but is in use on alternate Sundays.

The Anglican presence remains strong but attendance is not always a part of the Balfour lifestyle so only a small number, around the nine mark, attend on alternate Sundays. Often the visiting fishermen turn out for our services, especially when the fish have been biting well.