Latitude Sought On Weed Removal

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31441, 7 August 1967, Page 7

Latitude Sought On Weed Removal

The immediate removal of noxious weeds from the board’s stop-banks was impracticable, the North Canterbury Catchment Board decided yesterday, when it discussed a weeds clearance notice received from the Paparua County Council. The board decided to point this out to the council, and to say that It was the policy to eradicate noxious weeds on board land and stop-banks, but that this must be done by spraying at the appropriate time, as machines could damage the banks. Besides, there were places where growth on river berms was of protective value.

The board also offered to meet the council for discussions.

Mr L. W. McCaskill said that the council had a right to do the job required of it by the Noxious Weeds Act

“It should be made clear that we do not intend to retain weeds to protect the banks,” said Mr A. B. Dingwall.

Mr A. T. BeU said that if all gorse and broom were removed from riverbeds, it would reduce the retardation of flood water.

The board decided to support one of its Waimakariri farm reserve tenants who had received a similar notice.

Later, the board decided to caU tenders for the spraying of heavily-infested gorse areas on, stopbanks and elsewhere on the Waimakariri, and decided to tell the Eyre County Council that it would, at a suitable time, spray gorse and broom in the Eyre riverbed Another matter affecting the Paparua County Council referred to complaints by adjoining landowners and lessees that water was being

diverted to the council's wafer-nee intake at Halkett < Mr F- L. Wright said that the Waimakariri, after, running to the north bank for many years, had lately come back to old channels on the south side.

The board authorised its staff to discuss the position with the council.

Compensation.—As compensation had not been paid on board land taken for the northern motorway, it was decided to ask the Ministry of Works for its proposals.

Car Club.—“We would like to help, but the land is right next to a heavily-timbered plantation, and the fire risk would be too great,” said Mr N. S. Coad, reporting that the Riccarton • Hornby Car Scramble Club had been refused the use of Waimakariri reserve land, but told to investigate other areas. The club has to vacate its course at Prebbleton.