Nassella Tussock Board May Require Loan

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28701, 26 September 1958, Page 7

Nassella Tussock Board May Require Loan

Unless county contributions came to hand soon, the board could be working on an overdraft by the middle of October or before, said the secretary-manager (Mr F. J. Foley) at a meeting of the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Board yesterday. Although the board’s bank balance was £10,380, an account from a helicopter spraying company had come to hand for £10,933, said Mr Foley. Approximately £5OOO of this amount would be recoverable. “Perhaps we should write to the counties setting out the position,” said the chairman (Mr M. C. Hyde). It was decided to leave the matter in the secretary’s hands. He will approach the Government for a loan if necessary. Although the work had been carried out with the least delay, it was probable that small strips of ground were missed, said Mr W. L. Kay, reporting on the results of helicopter spraying. However. the results had been better than those achieved by fixedwing aircraft. The helicopter had worked from August 15 to September 13, including eight days lost through breakdown. In all, 2318 acres on 10 properties were treated.

Investigations were proceeding in the United States on the colouring of spray, said Mr J. Bowker. This meant that a pilot could see the strips of ground he had covered and ensure that none was missed.

Mr Kay reported that one farm in the Weka Pass needed attention. The farmer concerned had nasella spreading on to his property from a creek bed—which was not included in his land title. “This man cannot affort very extensive control measures, and I feel this is a case where our board should render assistance,’* said Mr Kay. “The present owner has cleared up more nassella tussock in two seasons than the previous owners, did over many years,” Mr Kay said. “But he still has a major job ahead of him.”

Board members agreed that the infestation showing near the main road through the Weka Pass was a bad advertisement. It was unanimously decided to assist the farmer.

Railway Line Another case of tussock seeding along the main north railway line from Scargill to Hurunui was also discussed. The board agreed to make a ranger available to supervise railway employees in. the work. “I think we should make it quite clear that we have had complaints about the tussock seeding along the railway, and that care needs to be taken to ensure its eradication,” said Mr Hyde. “If we bowed to the wishes of all these people, we would have to bring our blankets along to these meetings,” said Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane when the board considered the case of one farm whose owner requested that the grubbing be carried out “at the most economic time.” Mr Macfarlane said the board could not arrange its work so that one farm could be grubbed at any set time.

“Any is a good time to grub nassella,” said Mr Kay. “This farmer apparently expects us to begin on his property whenever he wishes, and then stop when the job is half finished. 1 suppose if we get to the stage where there are only a few tussocks left and he wants work stopped, we will have to grub them at the board’s expense.” It was decided to go ahead with the work on this property.