More Nassella On Plains Country

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 11

More Nassella On Plains Country

The discovery of new nassella tussock strikes at Norwood, Burnham, Aylesbury, Springfield and the Rakaia riverbed was reported by inspectors at a meeting yesterday of the Canterbury Nassella Tussock Co-ordinating Committee.

On Cashmere, it was reported, thousands of seedlings had been found, as well as 100 mature plants over 200 acres. Seedling outbreaks were also reported from other areas.

The committee acts as a “watch dog’’ over the whole of Canterbury south of the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Board’s area, and covers 21 counties. Summarised, the inspectors' reports were as follows: —

Malvern-Tawera.—New infestations on the Kowai river at Springfield, of 18 mature plants and 38 seedlings, and at Aylesbury. The owner intended to work the Kowai land and sow lucerne. At Lake Coleridge, scattered seedlings would be grubbed tn' August. On" the Rakaia river, 56 seedlings were found on 50 acres, with small patches of seedlings on unworked land on the Waimakariri. On two farms, 21 seedlings were found. A constant check was being made and excellent co-operation was being obtained from farmers.

Banks Peninsula.—Nucleus areas at Camp Bay had been cleared of mature tussocks, but many seedlings had appeared, with a fair number of mature plants up to half a mile away from the main patches. The Cashmere area had been cleared of mature tussocks, but thousands of seedlings had appeared, with mature tussocks away from the main areas. About 100 mature plants were found over 200 acres. Minor infestations had been cleared, but seedlings had appeared, except at McQueen’s Valley. Extra men should be put on to search. Ellesmere.—A new area of 40 mature plants was found in the Rakaia riverbed, among high gorse. Nassella on Crown land had been sprayed, and gorse had been sprayed to make the area more accessible. Nothing was found on isolated islands in the river. Nine tussocks

were found on the railway line between the Rakaia and the Selwyn. Other areas were well controlled, but the Selwyn riverbed could not be searched because of gorse, manuka and lupin. Halsweli, Paparua and Springs.—Good control was being maintained. New infestations, on railway land at Norwood, and on a farm at Burnham, had been found. Infestations on Catchment Board land would be controlled by grubbing, which would soon begin, and 400 acres were being fenced for lease, 250 leased acres adjoining having been cleared by the tenants. On other board leasehold land, a team inspection should be made, as it was possible to find mature plants. Young tussocks were appearing round Paparua County’s water-race. Young plants were found on the Army range at West Melton, and seedlings or young plants had been found at the airport leasehold, Templeton Domain, Weedons Domain and private land. Levels.—Seedlings were very prominent, but no trouble had been found in control. No tussock had been found outside the infested areas, in the Tengawai riverbed.

Ashley.—No more nassella had been found and control was excellent.

The fields superintendent of the Department of Agriculture (Mr A. R. Dingwall) said it had been a bad year for seedling development, the summer drought being followed by a favourable growing season. Other county representatives said that their areas

were clear, and Cr. W. M. Dailey, the Oxford County chairman, said that Forestry Department men should be asked to keep their eyes open for nassella in supposedlyclear areas. The chairman (Mr W. C. Miller) said that the coordinating committee’s work was a wonderful example of county co-operation. He appealed to councils to make their inspectors available for joint work in other counties.