THE RAGWORT MANACE

Matamata Record, Volume XVII, Issue 1589, 24 December 1934, Page 8

THE RAGWORT MANACE

* 9 IN PIAKO COUNTY ' Action by Inspector - Urged ", .. . ■ ■ The need for immediate jteps deal with the ragwort menace in tain parts of the Piako County waff' stressed at the December meeting. Cr. W. R. Lowry (Kiwitahi) ttjjpved that the council write to * ister of Agriculture pointyig out that ragwort is showing up in the county, and asking’the Minister to give in* structions for , action to be taken against offenders. / Cr. W. F. Stark (Morrinsville): I was going to ask that the ment inspector be asked to make an, inspection of the Kurunui hill, but an inspection should be made of the whole county. I know that While some farmers are making every ef* fort to clear ragwort from their others are sitting back and doing!, nothing. ' Councillors agreed with this ctate* • ment. ' Cr. Lowry: ; I am about the use of the unemployed for ragwort clearing. Two months ago^ I-practically promised two f settlei*;| that I would send a lorrydoad -of# men to their properties. They to pay the transport. They got hnjjp three men instead of 12, as me ref men were not available. £ At last ) council meeting we decided to ask that the drainage board's tutfemf£ ; , ployed workers be taken off wiosra jobs and put on to ragwort the sained? as last year. Have you had any piy? The chairman:~No reply. Cr. Lowry: The Department or Agriculture must take the matter in hand. We as a county have liof power. I am not going to ask settlers to pay transport on only thred. ’ men. I do not think the drainage boards would hesitate to take thesef men off to allow them to go on rag* wort work. The council decided to write to thA •, Minister of Agriculture asking tbauinspectors be instructed to take ac* tion in respect of ragwort-infested land, and also to write to the inspec* ? tors in whose districts the county is, included.