Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 67, 20 March 1936, Page 2

Foxton

From Our Own Correspondent. Control of Rabbits and Noxious Weeds. Those present at the monthly meeting of the Manawatu Kabbit Board were Messrs B. G. Gower (chairman), W. -E. Barber, R. Craig, It. 11. Demise, and the secretary (Mr It. Kangiheuea). The board's inspector (Mr D. It. Barron) submitted his montnly report which stated he had been engaged in general inspection work mostly m regard to the clearing of ragwort ana tlie supervision of men employed on No. o "special circumstances” scheme tor the clearing of other noxious weeds. The month had been a most extraordinary one irom a weather point of view. As a result it had been impossible for a pollard poisoning lu bo carried out, and it would now be necessary to have a very cany strychnined carrot poisoning carried out and followed up with a further one later in the season. Tills year it would be advisable to have lands with tlio smallest amount of

"cover" on poisoned by this method. Tlie rabbits were at present on the higher areas of properties and very satisfactory results should be obtained. Arrangements would be made to have two gangs carry out the work provided by tlie No. II scheme were still in force. A fair amount Of fumigation iiad been carried out during the month and the land was in great order for this class of work, which should bo carried out at every opportunity. Twenty-seven men had been employed in the clearing of lupin and gorse under No. 5 "special” during the month, and a large area of country had been cleared and good work from a productive point of view carried out. There was still a large programme of work to be carried out provided the scheme: were kept going. A large number of notices nau been sent out for tlie clearing of blackberry and good work was being done in this connection. Owing to tlie wet season ragwort was sUi. making •fresh appearances and a strict inspection was being made in regard, •, te this weed.'and prosecutions, would be enforced on delaulters in this respect. .During tlie coming month a circular letter regarding strychnine poisoning and fumigation Would bo sent out and this work got well under way so that a. second on« could be carried out.

A letter was received from the Manawutu County Council who advised that goatsrue had been declared a noxious weed in the Manawalu County.

Mr Barber reported that at the last meeting of the Mnnawatu County Council, a memorandum had been received from tho Department of Agriculture asking that sillybum mariamum (variegated thistle) be declared a noxious weed in the Manawatu. This:Rad been agreed to by the council. The' clanger presented 'by allowing this particular thistle to spread was emphasised,- Barber stating that tho seed lasted' lit the ground for many years if the pl;iht"was once allowed to seed. It was decided to write to the council, thanking It for having variegated thistle declared a noxious weed. A report was made on tho recent inspection of the Tnngimoana Forestry Reserve, carried out by members of the hoard in company with Mr Sutton (principal inspector) and ofiieials of the Agricultural Department. It was stated that tlie area was found to be covered to a great extent with rush and tot toi, with approximately 1500 acres suitable for ploughing with a view to poisoning. The greatest problem was presented by t lie plantation area which was affording excellent “cover” for rabbits. After the inspection Mr Button made !t plain that the board would experience no difficulty in obtaining a grant for rabbit destruction on the area. It was decided to write Id ’the Commissioner of Crown Lands asking if ho would consider grazing the. reservt to facilitate the poisoning work and also to make application to the Agricultural Department for a grant towards carrying on rabbit destruction work in April. It was also decided to apply to the Department for £3O for expending on rabbi destruction during the next financial year on tho Rangitikei river ned luna. Personal. Mrs W. Ogden, of Liddell street, lias returned home after spending a fortnight with her mother in Petone, Mrs AV. D, f.auckham. of Park street, is at present on a holiday visit to Hastings. Miss F. McKenzie, of Main street, has returned lo Fox ton from a holiday spent in tlie South Island. Miss M. Healey, of Wellington, is staying with Mr and Mrs J. K. Ilornblow, of Thynne street. lii a croquet match for the Sherwood Cup, Foxton v. Levin, the scores were as follow. Foxton players being mentioned first: Mrs W. Bowden defeated Mrs. Bab 20 —IS, Mesdames M. E. Perreau and R. Bryant lost to Mesdames Palmer and Wenham 9—26. The Herrington Golf Club has decided to open its links at Foxton before Easter.