CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18015, 6 March 1924, Page 7

CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

EYRE COUNTY'S DECISION

At a special meeting of the Eyre County Council held on Monday afternoon, the question of exempting certain properties iu the Ohapuku and Eyreton districts from the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act in regard to the. clearing of Californian thistle was fully discussed. Mr Colin Mcintosh, of Horrelville, headed a deputation from the West. Evreton riding opposed to the _granting of the exemptions. He said he thought the move wouTd be an unwise one, and particularly detrimental to "■rowers of seed, and sellers of chart. ■There would be much trouble to their district through the carrying of seed by travelling sheep if exemption was allowed in the Eyreton district, and - he strongly protested against the granting of the exemption. llr F J. Horrell, of Horrelville, said lie thought many farms were infected by cheap He auvocateu the keeping of the roads clear so as to lessen the risk of seed being carlied by travelling stock. He assured the meeting that the thistle coulcz be eradicated if properly tackled. He was thoroughly opposed td the exemptions bein" Horrelville land was unprofitable for cattle, but that in the Ohoka, Ohapuku, and Clarkville districts could bo used with advantage and the thistle thus Be kept under. Mr Jas. Petrie presented a petition from eighitee'n landowners in the Swannanoa district in which they strongly opposed the idea of exemption. Messrs Geo. Lowens, W r . J. Thompson, W. S. Busch, and E. A. Barker were also opposed to the move. Mr Dixon disputed several statements of the deputation affirming that there was no evidence that travelling stock carried seeds in their wool and maintaining that spreading was caused by cultivation and by birds. Mr Dixon moveS that the areas previously peti-; tioned by residents be exempted, stating that no good could come by the perpetual harassing of farmers by the agents of the Department. Mr Baynes seconded the motion, stating that he did so with no thouglit of personal relief to himself, out for the general good. Mr Wright opposed the motion, feeling that if the best experts in the eountv thought the thistle such a serious menace it was hardly wise to undo "ieir work. Mr Evans objected to the idea of exempting certain areas only and leaving surrounding farms under th« working of tVw Act. - Mr Lowens said he thought the Act should he enforced. It was passed for the benefit of the country generally, and it was not the place of the Council to exempt central areas. Mr Wolff said fhe West Eyreton riding ratepayers were unanimously against the exemption, and lie agreed with them.

The motion was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it.