BLACKBERRY IN DRAINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 11

BLACKBERRY IN DRAINS

THAMES VALLEY AREAS BOARD MEMBERS* CONCERN [FROM OUR OWN- correspondent] TE AROHA, Thursday Several instances of drains being so choked with blackberry that the work of maintaining them in working order was impossiblo were reported by supervisors at the meeting of the Thames Valley Drainage Board to-day. Members stated that blackberry seemed to bo a growing evil, and unless immediate steps were taken for its eradication it would be a serious menace to the board's activities in the future. Sir. Hallett said one of the board's foremen had recently escorted him to an area that was literally a wilderness of blackberry. It was impossible to find or trace the direction of the drain which served the property. It was obvious that before the board could let the contract for the usual cleaning operations it would have to expend twice as much in clearing the blackberry away. He was of the opinion that now that the board had had its by-laws passed strong and instant action be taken. The chairman, Mr. F. E. Hughes, said that as- soon as the by-laws became effective all offending ratepayers would be notified and given a certain time to take steps to eradicate the weed. If this were not done the board would place its own workmen on the job and, if the ratepayer refused to meet the expense incurred, he would be sued.