FAIRLIE NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13638, 4 July 1908, Page 6

FAIRLIE NOTES.

A visit to Messrs Harper and Ensons farm to that- part which was worked some ten years ago by some enterprising individual for coal, lime and bricks was of more than passing interest. The drive is of sufficient size to admit a locomotive, but not having been sufficiently timbered has fallen in in places. The lime kiln was hewn out of the limestone, fired from the bottom and top, the limeshone face being simply quarried and run into the kiln which is a very big affair. The remains of the pug mill used for the bricks are still standing. There had been a large amount of work don© and it seenix a pity that so much enterprise and ingenuity should not. have met with better results.

These three industries if going to-day, would meet- a much improved market. The ever-increasing demand for cheaper fuel should warrant this district being prospected for a high grade lignite. A level drive in from the creek bed met good results, until condemned by the Government inspector as unsafe to work. The miner then went over to the opposite side of the hill but after three months of driving his funds running out was obliged to to abandon the enterprise. Here is an industry that would be a boon to this district if properly gone about, as well as a source of revenue to the nian who develops it. The weather broke fair on Thursday morning; the heights showed very white, and there was evidently a deep fall from the pass towards Ashwick. The Toads through the pass are muddy but clear of snow, very little having fallen on the Ghntanner side or in the Mackenzie Country. _ Mr Gillingham has his team ploughing along the gorse fence on the roadside, which is a very good occupation for the teams -wheal the land is too wet to work on the farm.