FAIRLIE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 17 March 1926, Page 11

FAIRLIE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) AN OFFICIAL VISIT.' ■ -On l Saturday afternoon . a special train conveying the chairman of the Railway Hoard, members of that body, and a number of officials in the various railway departments for the Dominion and the district, visited Fairlie in the course of an inspection tour ot the railways. They were met at the station by the chairman of the Mackenzie County Council (Mr C. J. Talbot) and the county engineer (Mr R. L. Ranks). After tno usual courtesies had been extended, Mr Talbot thanked the Railway Department for several improvements effected. in the service ot late. The speeding-up of the train was much appreciated, and though time had not been shortened a great deal, it made a noticeable difference m.' ■_the journey. Delays occurred ..in sending the train on its return 'journey, but this was no doubt due to the abnormal traffic on the main line, oaused by the Dunedin Exhibition. No doubt when the traffic reached its customary level these delays, causing a late arrival in Fairlie in the evening, would, be reduced to vanishing point. Ine improvements to the local railway yaru had been well carried out, and had benefitted the staff and the public considerably. The staff, was competent, obliging and attentive, and from appearance it was thought ' that they had succeeded in securing work for the railway that had previously gene past the station. No doubt as time went on ’other improvements would be effected, both iu passe.-ger and goods traffic, and it was hoped that the branch line as a feeder for the mam fines would pay better than it had done of late years. . , , ‘Mr Talbot then repeated th© request of the County Council for a second loading bank for the convenience ot loading trucks, the present bank being quite inadequate to meet the demands made upon it. Some months ago the Minister promised that a report would ’fie made and a decision given, and now that the principal officers were on the spot the request could no doubt be further gone into. The trucking, yards for sheep and cattle were to-be, removed to- a more convenient site,, and it was understood that the plans provided for single truck loading. As most of the stock had to be trucked in the very early morning, it was urged that an additional trucking race for sheep should be put in. Mr Jones (chairman of the Railway Board) expressed the thanks of the visitors for their welcome,, and stated his pleasure at the appreciation shown their efforts to make the railway service more efficient. The whole Department was anxious to do its best for its patrons, but the difficulties surrounding railway problems were not always appreciated. He was glad that the local officers were doing their best, and no doubt the appreciation expressed would be an encouragement to them. Railway duty was more strenuous than it perhaps appeared, and there was, moreover, a good deal of. anxiety entailed. He again expressed his pleasure at the manner m which they had been received, and proposed that the requests made by the deputation be gone into on the ground. The whole party then made a close inspection of the recent improvements to the railway yard and buildings, and the conditions under winch the traffic is operated. Plans of further alterations were produced, and finally it was prbmised that a second loadmg bank and an additional trucking race for sheep would be favourably considered, am would almost certainly be granted. The visitors then entrained for the return journey to Timaru.

DOMAIN BOARD. At a meeting of the Fairlie Domain Board, held on Friday evening, the following members were present : Messrs W. J. Ormandy (chairman), H. Welsh, H. Carlton, W. Close, J. Bray, J. Caskey, W. Aitken, A. Manaton, C. J. Talbot and A. Hammond (secretary). The chairman reported that the pergola erected recently m. the Domain was now complete, and had been well and faithfully built by the contractor, Mr T. H. Holland. The pergola was built of concrete, and was therefore practically everlasting. Ihe funds raised at the recent fete had been devoted in part to the building, and those who had assisted at the function had expressed their approval of the shelter, which would be both useful and ornamental. Mr Aitken had supervised the work, and had spent a great deal of time in seeing that a good job was made. A very vote of thanks was passed to Mr Aitken for his interest and services and the account for the building was passed for payment. SWIMMING CARNIVAL. On Thursday afternoon the Fail-lie Swimming Club held its annual cu'uivai, ■ and- success attended the effort in every way. : Oompetums present from other centres, and all events were well contested. lheie was a capital attendance, The dation a.t the. baths being taxed to its utmost, and the gate;.proved to be a better one than was anticipated One ieature of the contests was the inaunu. in which the juniors came forward, giving the impression that there will bo a good supply of competitors m future years. ! liio omeials were as follows, luffims Messrs R. L. Banks au.u A. /..j a. omit; ('•ltilcpv • liaudiuapper, All b. xxaapei , Oas>Kty, ii T} orU ii; stewards, announce]., Mi »>. -1j« Messrs A. Bickering and F. MUes, fudges ot diving, Messrs E. R- Beckett and F. Macdonald. ~ . The lo..owing are the results. G'Jyds Club Handicap—Dn-st heatMcDonald 1, E. Robertson 2; second fieat-B. Trotter 1, W. Robertson A Filial —McDcna.d 1, Trotter -■ 25yds Ladies Handicap—Miss M. PmUpr 1 Miss D. Doyle 2. 25vds Breast Stroke Handicap-First heat—Ahm Robertson 1, B Trotter 2. Second heat—J. Bickering 1, L. Me Gregor 2. Final-J. Bickering 1, L■M2sj Handicap—First heaffi-W. Cadenliead 1 F. Surndge 2. Second heat—T. Bickering L G. Cameron 2. Final—W. Cadenliead 1, T. heat— Marjorie Talbot 1, Jean Skmner 2 Second heat—Fairlie Dale 1, Dorothy Barwood 2. Final—Marjorie Talbot 1, F. Dale 2. .. . 50yds . Inter-cluL Handicap—Fust heat—W. Carlton 1, G. Field 2. Second heat —L. McGregor 1, A Pickering 2. Third lieat—A. Field 1, B. Robeitson 2. Semi-final —First heat—G. Field 1, W Carlton 2. Second heat—L McGre-goi-gor 1, E. Robertson 2. Final—L. McGregor 1, E. Robertson 2 Secondary" Schoolgirls’ Handicap Fii-'t boat—Doris Doyle 1. Joan Cook o Sc-ond heat—Nancy Talbot 1. Final IIV iiicv Talbot 1. Doris Doyle 2. Gflvds* Dual Relay—McDonald and Trot lev 1. Field Bros. 2. • Men’s Spring Board Dive—K. Field I, E. Robertson 2. . Todies’ and Girls’ Snving-boavd Dive Miss V. Tn.lbot 1. M’«s Porter 2. Men's Balloon Race—Alport 1, G. Field 2. Gii-V Balloon Race —F. Dale 1, N. Ta’Vit 2. , _. . . TlevV- B'l’non Race—A. Skmner 1, [ IV.' Cadenliead 2