RAGWORT ON NATIVE LAMBS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13237, 13 January 1941, Page 2

RAGWORT ON NATIVE LAMBS

SERIOUSNESS OF Posi TION STRESSED^* MIHISTEE TO BE INVITED TO INVESTIGATE ACTION OF TAUBAK6A" COUNTY COUNCIL The neglected state of some native lands in the Tauranga County, which it is alleged, are being allowed to breed ragwort and other noxious weeds, with no effort whatever to clear them, was the subject of comment at the monthly meeting of the County Council yesterday, when g was decided that the Minister of Lands and Native Affairs (the Hod. F. Langstonei should be invited t 0 conae to Tauranga and see conditions for himself. The suggestion that the Minister should be invited to come to Tanranga was made by Cr H. Bragg, when drawing the council's attention to the seriousness of the position in some areas, in his opinion, if the natives did not intend to do anything with the land then it shouid be taken from them and either leased or placed under the native land development scheme. The opinion was expressed by Cr J. IL Evans that the only way - l0 overcome the difficulty was to have ; the land placed under one of the schemes, and this view was also supported by Cr E. 3L Hughes. ]t was agreed that if the Minister is unable to come to Tauranga. the question should be taken up with the Native Department. In his report the County Clerk (Mr H. Lewis) stated that with.no supplies of sodium chlorate or atlacide becoming available as anticipated, the Department of Agriculture had now advised cutting and destroying ragwort in order to prevent seeding, and a start had been made with this work. Referring to noxious weeds in his report, the County Inspector (Mr T. B. Turley) stated that every effort was being put forward to control the spread, of weeds and while ragwort in some places was prominent he could unhesitantly state that there was at least 5 0 per cent improvement in conditions this year comparing lands so infested five or six years ago, most farmres realising the danger of ragwort infestation should they neglect to clear. After the holiday season was over, men would be employed in the clearing of Crown lands, and unindividualised Native lands. During the month the following areas had been inspected: Kauri Point, Woodland's Road, Katikati, Matapihi, Maungatßpu,, Kaitemako, Waeuaetukutuku, Ohinepanea" Old Coach Road, Pukehina, Roydon Downs Road. Notices to clear ragwort have been issued to occupiers who had not taken the necessary steps to control the weed as required by the act, and these were being kept under observation relative to legal proceedings being taken, if clearances were not effected.