NOXIOUS WEEDS MENACE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6867, 23 March 1929, Page 17 (Supplement)

NOXIOUS WEEDS MENACE

Drastic Measures Urged FEELING IN THAMES COUNTY The necessity for thc adoption of drastic measures to control noxious weeds in tho Thames County was urged at last week’s council meeting by Mr. Colin Kelly. He urged that thc council should press for an amendment of the Noxious Weeds Act. “which at present compelled the cutting of onetenth only of infested areas,” and was, la* said, ineffective, especially at Puriri where one holding alone contained 20 acres of ragwort, blackberry and Canadian thistle. Mr. Cribb said thero ivas a danger of ragwort over-running thc district mentioned."

Mr. Courtney also emphasised the seriousness of thc position. Thc Act compelled tho “clearing,” but not the destruction, of the weeds and certain settlers wore complying with thc Act by merely clipping the -weed at thc top. It was incorrect to say that thc cutting of one-tenth only of areas was required. This was a matter entirely at tho discretion of thc Department of Agriculture through its inspector. It was decided to request the Agricultural Department to word the Act in such a manner as to compel thc destruction, rather than “the clearing,” of the weed in infested areas. Thc necessity for action to prevent thc spreading of the weed described by Mr. D. Courtney as Australian firewood was urged. Mr. Courtney said specimens bad been identified by thc Goveument plant research station, Palmerston North, as Australian firewood. The station botanist, in tho course of his description of thc weed, said it seemed to bo spreading considerably in the Auckland Province since it was first noted in 1915 in Mangonui County. Owing to its perennial habit was more difficult to control, but unless it was present in sufficient quantity to clioko newly-sown grass it would tend to disappear as the grass was established. It did not appear to become aggressive in Australia. Tho council decided to seek the opinion of Mr. H. R. Denize, of the Agricultural Department.