NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 61, 13 March 1906, Page 2

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

PELORUS ROAD BOARD TAKE A STAND.

The Pelorus Road Board, at their meeting last week, were notified by Mr AVard, representing the1 Department ot Agriculture, that noxious weeds must be cleared. The weeds in the Rai were npt so numerous as in the Pelorus, and the Department would be glad if the Board would assist in getting rid of them in that locality betore work was commenced in the Pelorus. Certain parts of the rpad_tronting the river were vested in the .Board, and the reserves were also under the control of the Board: these areas^wauld have to b.e cleared, and if the Board would not clear them he would have to serve them with a summons, to dp tlje. work. '" . T N he Chairman (reports the Guardian) said that if the Board were compelled to clear away the weeds it simply meant that an extra rate would have -.to-be struck. The Board contended that they were not liable for the reserves, for the reason that any revenue derived from their lease or sale was taken by the Land Board. 1 hat seemed to relieve the Bpard from any resp^n^tlity in connection with the r.Qservey. " *--•*-*■-. Mr Ward explained that though settlers -ivere now asked to clear a quarter of a chain from their fences, and a quarter of a chain on each side ot their creeks, the work had to be done every year—the Act stating that the weeds had to be cleared off at the proper time of the year «and continuously thereafter." The Chairman said he thought the opinion of the Board was that they would refuse to clear away the ■.weeds. Me »e,e|g sa d that w^ his opinion, and*he, proposed that' the Boa;fl demf t9J' d¥ a»y steps'in the matter. The Chairman said that if the setters -did not take some steps to eliminate the weeds there was no doubt they (the settlors) would be driven off,the "land. Ah Mahakipawa, the weeds were not uo bad, and if the Act were enforced in places like that it would prevent fh'fi spread of the ptsst«. -Heraonalli;, lie was spending about £20 a n.onth in an effort to clear his land for he could see that if energetic stops were not taken land that was new worth £30, would; soon be not worth .30.S an, acre,.' ! Mr' JMtpij sa|d'he.' had put on five men, ai'4 wa« iU»tqrm.iued to. do his best to get rid of the weeds. At present, a. great dea} of trouble was being cause1 by gorse seed washed down the l-ivera. It did not seem fair that people higher'up should be allowed to let their gorse grow. Ivlr Nees said he would oppose the cutting of blackberry on river banks, as they were needful to preserve the banks. '•.■•■! Mv Ward ea|c] that the blackberry ! !"joiild W■■"<# Wgh, Uouili t9 k:ili the but not enough tq destroy their 'assistance to the banks. •■'■•■. • •• Mr Storey seconded "Mr. s(ee.s' nr.gposal, whiph was cjrpe.d^, '