NOXIOUS WEEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21935, 19 October 1934, Page 14

NOXIOUS WEEDS

TIGHTENING CONTROL - amending legislation PROVISIONS OF THE BILL [by TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTF.nI WELLINGTON, Thursday Designed to make better provision for controlling the spread of noxious weeds, particularly ragwort, the Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. It was read a first and second time pro forma and referred to the Lands Committee. The bill has been promoted at the instance of counties in the South Auckland district and the Taranaki Local Bodies' Association, which have urged that the Noxious Weeds Act should be amended to permit any county council to assume administration of the Act within its district, and that the following provisions should be made in the legislation: — (1) To empower such bodies to charge land with the cost of clearing noxious weeds on the default of the occupier to do so; (2) to empower such bodies to levy rates on an acreage basis to enable the carrying out of the additional functions to be assumed by such bodies; and (3) generally to amend tho Act for the better control of noxious weeds. Liability oi Occupier A new definition of the term "clear has been framed, having particular regard to the use of sodium chlorate in noxious weeds destruction. ' The new definition permits of any method being employed as long as the method adopted either destroys or effectively controls the spread of noxious weeds. At present the occupier is under no liability to clear his land until he is served with notice, but under the bill the occupier will be liable at all times and without any previous notice to clear his land of ragwort. Another amendment is designed to charge land with the cost of clearing noxious weeds and to confer the power of sale, including the lessee's interest in Crown leaseholds, in priority to existing encumbrances on judgment for the cost being obtained against the occupier as a result of his failure to meet his obligations. Any such judgment may be enforced in the same way as judgment for rates. Provision For Rate Another clause permits any eounty council to assume administration of the bill within its own district, including the appointment of inspectors. To provide funds for the eradication of noxious weeds and the administration of the proposed Act, a county council may levy a rate either on the rateable value basis or acreage basis in respect of all rateable property in the county. The maximum rate will be one halfpenny in the pound, but the total amount payable by any ratepayer is not to exceed sixpence an acre. The maximum rate that may be levied on an acreage basis will be sixpence an acre. Differential rates may be levied, and for that purpose the council may divide the county into subdivisions. It will be required to classify lands in the several subdivisions, or in. the whole county, if not divided into subdivisions, intc one or more of the following classes: — Class A: Lands for the immediate and direct benefit of which the proceeds of the rate are to be expended. Class B: Lands for the less direct benefit of which the proceeds of the rate are to be expended. Class C: All other lands. The rate is to be levied only on lands in classes A and B, and the rates in subdivisions may vary.