GORSE AND BROOM

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 50, 22 November 1941, Page 7

GORSE AND BROOM

Fire Danger Seen In Hutt County

The lire danger in the Hutt County through the failure of property-owners to keep their laud clear of broom, gorse mid scrub was referred to at yesterday’s meeting of the Hutt County Council. The council had before' it a draft amendment to the by-laws giving the council power to require the owner or occupier of laud in the county to cut down and remove or eradicate growth which was or was likely to become, by reason of its overgrowth, a source of danger from lire. In many of the suburban districts there was a very bad danger from gorse and other scrub near built-up areas, specially in the eastern bays, it was stated. Apparently the provisions of the law for the removal- of noxious weeds were more or less in obeyance.

“It is desirable,” said Cr. J. Valdwyu, “that tiie council should have power to take action against people who buy property, hold it and allow it to become a public danger.” Tiie position was very' bad in Stokes Valley, said Cr. AV. It. M. Pearce. The chairman, Cr. It. L. Button: I agree. There is a danger not only to property, but to life. Cr. Pearce: There is danger in Belmont, and many hue homes might be destroyed. The chairman: We can pass this bylaw arid then apply a little pressure till we get the danger spots improved. The county clerk, Air. 11. It. Robinson, said that for breaches of the bylaw offenders were liable to a fine of £lO and for a continuing offence a tine of £5 a day. The chairman: In some places the weed* have grown to such an extent that it becomes a hardship for some owners to remove them.

Cr. Pearce: if owners are not lit and capable of keeping their properties in order, let them get out. Tiie by-law is to be dealt witli at a special meeting of the council