FIREBLIGHT PERIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 304, 21 November 1933, Page 4

FIREBLIGHT PERIL.

NELSON CITY OUTBREAK. Following the discovery of fireblight at Wakapuaka, Nelson, recently, investigation has been proceeding in the city with a view to ascertaining if the infection had spread. ' It was found a few days ago that a hawthorn hedge on the hillside in Grove at the end of the town facing Wakapuaka—was affected bv the disease. In view of this discovery an appeal has been made by Mr Thorpe, orchard instructor, for the assistance of all citizens on whose property hawthorn is growing in an attempt to prevent the farther spread of infection. It is asked that owners of these hedges cut them back.

At a meeting of tho Waimea Fireblight Committee evidence was forthcoming from a neighbouring province of the rapid spread of the disease through orchards which were clean a few days previously. In one case the orchardist estimates his loss at 80 per cent., and attributes it to the proximity of blossoming hawthorn. This and other evidence, says the Nelson Mail, is forcing the committee to the adoption of extreme measures, and in order to prevent infection spreading to the Area of commercial orchards, which may result in a disastrous financial loss to the Nelson province, it may be necessary to put into operation the full powers under the Act, whereby the owners of hawthorn hedges may be required to cut down and otherwise trim them at their own expense.