NOXIOUS WEEDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20568, 30 May 1941, Page 8

NOXIOUS WEEDS

CONTROL OF RAGWORT WAIROA SPENDS £Bl9 COUNTY REPORT (SpuA.il to flit) Herald.) WAIROA, this day. “During the year a grant of £IOOO was made available by the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of ragworth control and eradication, an area of approximately 270 acres in the Te Rcinga district being treated successfully.” said the chairman of the Wairoa County Council, Mr. A. T Carroll, when dealing, at the annual meeting, with the control of uoxious weeds. The chairman added that 30 acres on the Tahaenui River road was also treated. . , , A quantity of sodium chlorate and Atlacide was supplied as a free issue to farmers for dealing with ragwort and noxious weeds on their properties. Altogether £Bl9 was expended on the work, in connection with the carrying out of which the council had the co-operation of the local inspector of the department, whose services were invaluable.

“Difficulty,” said the chairman, “was experienced in obtaining supplies of sodium chlorate and Atlacide, and its cost is increasing at an abnormal rate, so much so that it would appear that the extent of work that can be underetaken next season will largely be influenced by the cost ot the materials.” During the year the council discussed with the chief inspector of the Department of Agriculture the question of the advisability of it taking over the responsibility for the ach ministration of the Noxious Weeds Act. • „ “Quite a number of county councils have taken this step,” said the chairman” and T consider it would be in the interests of the ratepayers if this council decided on a similar course. Although it would mean additional expense in administration, I think the results would justify such an action.”