The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOVEMBER 30, 1901. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 276, 30 November 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOVEMBER 30, 1901. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

At the meeting of the Whataupoko Road Board last night tho subject of briars, etc., growing on the roads was discussed. Intimation had been received from Mr Campbell Thomson, representing the Department of Agriculture, that the roads must be kept clear of such things as briars, and that the present was the best time to have the work done. It was pointed out that under the Act the occupiers or owners of property were liable to be called on to have such work done on the frontage to their property as far as the middle line of the road. The section of the Act was quoted, showing the Board may order the occupier, or, in case there is no occupier, then the owner, of any land abutting upon any road or street —(a) To remove any part of a tree, or lower or trim any part of a hedge overhanging a road or street so as to injure such road or street, or obstruct tho traffic thereon, or obstructing any ditch or drain appertaining thereto; and (b) To cut down or grub up, as the Board may direct, and remove all obstructions to traffic or drainage, arising from the growth of plants upon such road or street, up to the middle line of such road or street, along the whole frontage of the land occupied or owned by him. The foregoing information is given for the benefit of those who may not be aware of their responsibility in the matter. It will not be a consoling thing to a man who thought he had a right to complain because a fine healthy crop of briars or fennel occupied the frontage to his property to find that he himself is the culprit, and that he is legally responsible for the frontage as far as the middle of the road being cleared. However, he will soon find out his position in the matter on making enquiries. Failure to comply maj r be met with a penalty of a pound a daj r during which the order is disobeyed, and a further sum equal to the cost incurred by the Board in doing the work.