1971, most of it was closed. Balfour now became the terminus of a short branch line from Lumsden, and it was hoped that shipments of wheat from surrounding farms would provide sufficient traffic to keep the line open. Unfortunately, the quantities of traffic desired from Balfour did not eventuate and the railway was closed on 15 January 1978. Today, the old Balfour station platform has been incorporated into a children's playground. Economy The town's industry is predominantly agricultural. In the surrounding area, cattle, sheep, grain, and deer are farmed. A dairy factory once operated in the town. Dairy farming has again become economically important in recent years. A lime works, started in 1910, recently closed. Education Balfour School is a state contributing primary school for years 1 to 6 with a roll of as of The school was established in 1887. Sport Balfour annually hosts a rugby sevens tournament. This tournament typically involves teams from Southland and Otago. It is also a popular location for trout fishing. References Populated places in Southland, New Zealand