MENACE TO FARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 16

MENACE TO FARMS.

SPREAD OF NOXIOUS WEEDS

HAURAKI 1 PLAINS DISTRICT

DEPARTMENT URGED TO ACT

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ]

I'AEROA, Thursday

The necessity for greater vigour on the part of the responsible authorities in tho combating of tho growth of noxious weeds was urged at length last evening at a meeting of tho Paeroa Chamber of Commerce. Mr. W. Marshall stated that ragwort was already in flower at Karangahake, and he understood that specimens had been forwarded to Wellington to convince tho Department of Lands pf the fact. Ho suggested that the ( chamber might ask tho Minister of Lands, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, if something could bo done in the matter beyond a mere departmental inquiry, which had been promised. It should bo a plea for action to remove a menace to tho Hauraki Plains. Mr. H A. Mills said ragwort was already to be found on tho Hauraki Plains, where not long ago there was none. It was not a question of the seed being borne by tho river, like the seed of the thistle. It was enclosed in a downy substance, by which it was borne by the wind. lift considered that the weeds on unimproved lands constituted the greatest menace to settlement. Ox-eyed daisies were also a menace. The present laws were not being sufficiently enforced.

Mr. McLean said he considered the chamber should request that tall fescue be declared a noxious weed. It was a worse pest than ragwort, and was harder to eradicate. The seed was chiefly carried by water from the Elstow district to the Hauraki Plains.

Mr. H. H. Bray, the secretary, said the early history of tall fescue began with its planting at Omahu and the Waitoa estate. At one time the latter area was all fescue. For 45 years now it had been growing there, and even yet all the farmers in that locality grew it. He thought the chamber would have great difficulty in securing the assistance of the Piako County Council, and the settlers there would certainly not support the proposal. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs.* A, T. Jones, J. McLean, W. Marshall, H. A. Mills and C. X. O'Neill, was appointed to inquire into the subject as suggested.