TREES INFESTED WITH CODLIN MOTH

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 106, 29 January 1938, Page 12

TREES INFESTED WITH CODLIN MOTH

Farmer Prosecuted Dominion Special Service. Auckland, January 28. Apple trees infested with codlin moth on a farm at Albany were the subject of a prosecution for a breach of the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, against Fred Pastow, dairy-farm-er, in the Magistrates’ Court. Pastow was represented by Mr. Gould, and he pleaded guilty to «n charge of failing to take proper precautions to eradicate the disease. An inspector of the Department of Agriculture, Mr. J. B. Kennedy, said Pastow had received many warnings over a long period, but had taken little heed. The interests of commercial orchardists in the Albany district had to be protected, and it was hoped the court would assist by ordering that the' affected fruit should be destroyed immediately. Mr. Gould said defendant destroyed 250 fruit trees a year ago, leaving only about 2G for domestic use. He did not depend on his orchard for a livelihood, and was prepared to clear bis property and destroy all fruit before Monday. “The likelihood of substantial losses to other growers has to be borne in mind, and a nuisance such as this constitutes must be allayed,” said Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. “Defendant is liable to a heavy penalty, but if he will clear his premises immediately I shall not impose a penalty. However, if his land is not. kept properly in future, and he is again brought before the court, he will not receive much consideration.” Pastow was convicted and ordered to pay costs on undertaking that his property would be cleared immediately.