Deputation To Council

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31211, 8 November 1966, Page 18

Deputation To Council

Noxious weeds notices served on several Lyttelton residents resulted in a deputation of five residents waiting on the Lyttelton Borough Council last evening to request the council to clear hemlock and fennel growing on an area outside their boundaries.

Rubbish had been dumped on the area—below Jacksons road, at the rear of Dublin street properties—with the permission of agents of the council, the deputation’s spokesman (Mr J. D. Ball) said. The weeds could not be cleared because of the rubbish.

Council trucks had been seen dumping rubbish on the area, and residents wanted to know whether the council would accept the responsibility of clearing the area.

The council had not given permission for rubbish to be dumped, although the dumping of soil and clay fill had been permitted, said the Mayor (Mr J. B. Collett). The council would no doubt move to prevent the dumping of

rubbish. However, residents should realise they were not asked to clear the rubbish, but only the weeds. Mr Ball commented that noxious weeds were introduced in the soil that was dumped in the area. “There is one of the thickest patches of fennel in New Zealand up there,” he said. The council decided to investigate the matter. Cr. R. H. Duff commented that under the Noxious Weeds Act the council could not take responsibility for clearing any weeds. He felt that steps should be taken to prevent dumping in the area, and some “cleaning up” should be done. The residents should be informed that under the Act they were responsible for clearing the weeds.

It was decided this should be done.

There was a relatively small number of weeds behind each section, and it was not a question of hiring expensive spraying equipment, said Cr. E. A. Camfield. Tidying the area was the main thing.