BLACKBERRY ON FARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19927, 21 April 1928, Page 13

BLACKBERRY ON FARMS.

LANDHOLDERS PROSECUTED. ONE FINED TEN POUNDS. PREVIOUS WARNING RECALLED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Friday. The necessity for compliance with the requirements of the Noxious Weeds Act in regard to the removal of blackberry was stressed by Mr. F. W. Platts, S.M., to-day in dealing with charges against four holders of land at Hikuai of failure to make a reasonable effort to check the spread of blackberry. Mr. H. R. Denize, stock inspector, prosecuted on behalf of the Department of Agriculture. In regard to the case against C. J. Winder, of Thames, Mr. Denize said Winder owned 186 acres of land at Hikuai and an area of 124 acres was heavily overgrown with blackberry, which was seriously menacing the holdings of district soldier settlers, who were working hard to combat the danger. Defendant had been convicted and fined in June last, but had ignored the warning then administered. Recently settlers had made strong representations to the Minister of Public Works to compel defendant to forfeit his holding if noxious weeds were not removed. Winder was reputed to be an extremely wealthy man. "It is one of the worst cases I have ever had to deal with," concluded Mr. Denize. Mr. Bryan, for Winder* contended that the latter had met with difficulties in leasing the land, and had made a reasonable effort to clear it of weeds. His holding was no worse in this respect than other blocks close by. Counsel suggested an adjournment to enable the work to be carried out. The magistrate said a nominal fine only had been inflicted on Winder a year ago on a promise of compliance with the law. This clearly had been ignored. Defendant would be fined £lO and costs. If he appeared in Court again on a similar charge the penalty would be severe. Defendant attempted to address the magistrate, but was requested to keep quiet, whereupon he explained, "It seems to nie they are trying to hound me out of the district." H. H. Adams, A. E. Stevens and G. Cribb were given three months in which to clear sections in terms of the order of the department.