THE MENACE OF WILLOWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 9

THE MENACE OF WILLOWS.

CLEARING WAIHOU RIVER. NO GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN COIUtKsrONPENT.] TE AROIIA, Monday. When the Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, lust visited To Aroha, tho chairman of tJio three district drainage hoards requested Government assistance I6\vard tho cost of-removing willows from the Wailion Ujver to prevent the tloodi»g of the farms adjacent to tlio township of To Aroha.

A reply has heen received from tho Minister to tho effect that the area of land that would roecivo diroct benefit totalled about 4COO acres. Willow clearing would produce alleviation from floods but obviously not complete protection. Tho estimated cost of ringbarking and poisoning the willows was approximately £3200 for the 20 miles of river involved, but in addition to that other work would later be necessary. As a matter of general policy tho work could not be undertaken by the Government unless the settlers interested agreed to bo rated in respect thereto. Tho Minister was definitely of the opinion that this was a matter entirely for tho attention of the intercsted ; settiers and the local authority and was not one for which the Government should be called upon to grant assistance. _ lie added that " statutory provision existed whereby the way was open for the Settlers to agree to bo rated and for tho local authority to arrange for iho work. Ho suggested that this ..'procedure should bp followed.