RAGWORT MENACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 8

RAGWORT MENACE.

MAGISTRATE GIVES ADVICE. PENALTY AETER .CONVICTION.:. During the hearing of eases in which several owijdvs were charged with failure to clear. their properties of ragwort, Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., imparted some friendly .information,. which, if acted, upon, might be ■ the means of saving owners embarrassment and, incidentally, heavy legal costs. " •' ■ Mr. Levien, in replying to a suggestion by counsel that the Cotirt should draw a line between the worst offenders and those who endeavoured' to keep their properties clean,. but on account of prevailing economic conditions were prevented, from keeping their properties as clean as they would desire, stated it was not for the Court to draw a line. The Court's duty was to see that the statute was complied with, and tlje only way it could draw a line was by inflicting the penalty and making due allowance for the property owner who endeavoured reasonably to comply with the provisions of the. Act, and punishing those who failed entirely to comply with the Act. Mr. Levien added, for the benefit of property owners, that the Act stipulated that properties must be kept clean of ragwort. If after a conviction' was entered, if the property were not cleared to the satisfaction of the inspector within two months, the property owner could be prosecuted again, and if convicted the offender must be lined £5, which was the minimum stipulated. The magistrate had no alternative, and he trusted property owners would bear this fact in mind, the prevailing economic conditions, could, not be taken into account. Farmers themselves realised what a menace ragwort was, and it was their duty to co-operate with the Department ana do all in their power to bring about its early eradication. INVITATION TO VISIT TO MATAMATA COUNTY. The Putaruru Chamber of Commerce, supported by the Matamata County Council and other local bodies of the district, lias invited members of Parliament to visit Putaruru on Tuesday of next week in order to inspect ragwortinfested farms and see for themselves the extent of the ragwort menace in South Auckland.

Invitations have been sent to the following members: The Hon. J. G. Coates, the Hon. J. A. Young, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Messrs. C. H. Clinkard (Kotorua), W. W. Massey (Hauraki), F. Lye (Waikato), J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn), F. Langsto'ne (Waimarino), and W. J. Poison (Stratford), the Hon. E.-A. Ransom, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe and Mr. W. J. Jordan (Mamikau).

The. Matamata County Council, at its March meeting, voted a donation of £10 towards the fund for entertainment. The Putaruru Town Board voted £1 1/ for the eame purpose, and also gave the use of the town hall for entertainment purposes. The Tokoroa Rabbit Board has also given its support to the chamber.