Clearing Willows By Machinery

Northern Advocate, 26 March 1941, Page 2

Clearing Willows By Machinery

The Assistant ' Engineer. Public Works Department, forwarded to the Mangonui County Council information from his department on willow clearing by machinery. The Minister had requested the department to explore the possibilities of making heavy plant available for this work. No R.D. 8 tractors were available, but the department could supply a Dorsey slump puller and small tractor from Westpori.

With this machine the average cost of tlie work would be about £6 per chain, and an equivalent of £2 for £1 would therefore be offered as subsidy. This figure would apply to average infested willow streams. Where the willows were scattered the cost would be less.

Excessive Cost.

The county cnairman said the cost would be excessive. The worst of their streams should be cleared for not.more than £3 a chain. Cr. Holder said that on his property it would not be worth £6 per chain to clear the willows on both sides of the stream. He thought it a mistake to pull the willows out by the roots. Willows merely cut down on his property had died. The willows should be cut when the river is low and a flame thrower used on the stumps. The removal of the roots caused the banks to break away, endangering the land. Cr. Vickers: This scheme will only cost the settlers £2 per chain. Can your scheme be carried out for less? Cr. Holder: I think so.

Cr. Vickers: The department would probably not assist if the roots are not to be removed.

Taken Out by Roots.

The chairman said he would not mind the job of taking out all the willows in streams in the Mangonui County at £3 a chain. He would buy a tractor which would soon pay for itself. Though stumps might be left at the sides of streams, millions in the bed of a stream should be taken out by the roots.

Cr. Matthews: It would be a good thing if the whole job throughout the county could be completed at £2 a chain, v

Cr. Hoskin questioned whether the position with regard to willows was serious enough to justify any action. Cr. Shaw: It is for the riding member concerned to discuss matters with their ratepayers. So that this could be done, consideration was deferred till next meeting.