CONTROL OF RAGWORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21755, 21 March 1934, Page 15

CONTROL OF RAGWORT

FAILURE TO CLEAR ALLEGED PROSECUTIONS AT PUKEKOHE [FROM OUR OWN* COIUIKSrONDKNT] PUKEKOHE. Tuesday In the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court to-day A. W. Christie, stock inspector at Pukekohe, proceeded against Mrs. N. C. Hunter, of Pukekawa, on a charge of failing to clear ragwort from her property after notice had been served.

Mr. Christie stated in evidence that the property was occupied by Hunter Brothers, and that while he was there in November he noticed ragwort in flower. He served a notice on Hunter Brothers on November 3, giving until November .'3O to complete the work. He then found that the property was in the name of 'Mrs. Hunter and served a notice on January 22 on N. C. Hunter giving until January 30 to complete the work. On February 14 he found a portion of the work had been done. There were still six acres in flower and seeding. On March 5 the work was still unfinished.

For the defence, Mr. E. G. Foster called the two brothers, Scott and John H. Hunter, who said in evidence that the property was one of 691 acres. They had been there for 13 years and had been combating ragwort, which was there before tliev came, over the whole period. Scott Hunter had been working on the ragwort continuously since December 14 or 15 until the present time. They had put 570 sheep on to the 20 acres of the farm where the ragwort was worst and these had eaten the plants down to the stumps. Mr. Foster asked for a non-suit. Ho said that the inspector had furnished no proof that he was an inspector within the meaning of the Act. Counsel submitted further that the notice given was unreasonable, as eight days were allowed to clear nearly 700 acres. Further, the ]mople had definitely been working on the ragwort over the period covered by the notice.

The magistrate, Mr. F. H. Levien, reserved his decision.

A similar charge was brought against Hugh McGuiro, whose property at Pukekawa is occupied by his two sons. The inspector stated that the whole of the property, approximately 100 acres, was badly infested. He posted to the defendant and his sons a notice dated December 20, giving until January 10 to complete the work. He interviewed Lawrence McGuire on February 14, when lie and his brother were cutting ragwort, but making no attempt to burn it. As late as March 5 there wore still 20 acres untouched.

Defendant said they were doing all that they were able. Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs 12s.