Catchment Board Criticised By Weeds Committee

Press, Volume C, Issue 29695, 13 December 1961, Page 10

Catchment Board Criticised By Weeds Committee

Dissatisfaction at the way the North Canterbury Catchment Board put weed-infested spool from river beds on to private property was expressed at a meeting of the Halswell-Malvern - Paparua - Springs Noxious Weeds Group Committee yesterday. “It is unfair that the spoil should be left unlevelled as it is the property owners’ responsibility to control the weeds and implements cannot be used on the heaps,” said the chairman (Mr M. E. Jenkins). Mr D. H. Warren, of Paparua County, said that if any complaints were received from land owners the committee should approach the catchment board asking that the spoil be levelled or that some other steps be taken to control growth. The New Zealand Railways Department was the worst offender in the country against noxious weed control, said the field supervisor (Mr R. E. Hoskin). Measures were taken against individuals who did not exercise sufficient control, and the condition of their land often did not equal the “prize gardens” of the Railways Department, Mr Hoskin said. The Christchurch City Council and county towns also owned infested property in the district, said Mr Hoskin. “These areas do not come under the control of the committee, and its staff should not have to operate there,” said Mr Warren. An approach will be made to the Railways Department, and the Paparua County Council will be asked for "more definite administration for the clearing of noxious weeds in rural areas inside the boundaries of county towns.” Particularly bad infestation was to be seen in Sockburn, said Mr Hoskin. “Satisfactory Progress” Though results had not been spectacular satisfactory progress had been made in the control of noxious weeds this year, Mr Jenkins' reported. Priority had been given to the control of nodding thistle, the spread of which could seriously affect production in the district, and infested areas had been definitely reduced, he said. No new noxious weeds had been located last month, said Mr Hoskin, and after the reduced infestation of nodding thistle land owners had been encouraged to maintain good control. During the last three months work had been concentrated on the control of noddling thistle, hemlock, nassella tussock, gorse, broom, and fennel, he, said. Hemlock had become prevalent again this year, and much time had been devoted to its eradication. Mr Hoskin

said. Small infestatio’is of burdock had been found, mainly on road frontages. Good control was being effected over nassella tussock, he said. In the Coalgate, Rolleston. and Burnham areas final notices had been issued to persons whose properties had not been cleared of gorse and broom. Thirty-two notices had been issued for the clearance of road frontages and properties, and 43 owners had been approached personally, said Mr Hoskin.