CLUTHA FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16916, 31 January 1917, Page 2

CLUTHA FARMERS' UNION

The monthly meeting of the Clutha branch ol the New Zealand Farmers' Union ■was held in the Clutha County offices on Saturday, when Mr J. Christie occupied'the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. Sir James Wilson (president, Board of Agriculture) wrote asking the branch's opinion in regard to the sis worst noxious weeds on arable and grass lands in'certain districts throughout the dominion.—Mr B W. Moffat moved: "That all weeds were bad, and could be eradicated only by good farming, but labour could be utilised in a better way at present than in destroying weeds." The Minister of Lands wrote stating that the locality favoured by the branch for the planting of a State forest had been inspected and reported on. It was found that though there was some of the land that was suitable for successful tree-growth, it was divided by numerous rocky strips that' make it impossible to have the large continuous area that is required for profitable commercial afforestation. The rocky nature of the ground made it difficult to keep down rabbits. Under the circumstances it was considered inadvisable to undertake ihe afforestation of this land as was recommended by the Clutha branch of the Farmers' Union.—Received.—lt was decided that the matter would be gone into further at a more favourable opportunity than at present.