SODIUM AND ATLACIDE UNPROCURABLE

Putaruru Press, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 20 November 1941, Page 4

SODIUM AND ATLACIDE UNPROCURABLE

NOXIOUS WEEDS CONTROL Inspector’s Report. The following, report was presented by the noxious weeds inspector, Mr. E. Lord, to the last meeting of the Matamata County Council: — “During the past month the main duty has been routine inspection work- The gang engaged on native lands had to be put off on October 24 on account of shortage of lime. I am glad to report that a definite policy has been agreed upon with officers of the Railways Department for systematic control of weeds on the railway lines- This is more or less a skeleton scheme for the duration of the war, to keep the position from becoming worse till such time as more labour is available. Meanwhile it is agreed to keep all gorse, broom and ragwort cut and to defer action on blackberry till more labour is available. The treating of blackberry with spray is also being considered. “The department (has agreed to do the most of the scattered clumps with the maintenance gang and to pay extra labour to do the line north of Waharoa station to the county boundary, the council to find the labour and supervise; also the council to see that ratepayers keep their side of the fences clear. An assurance was given that any ratepayer who wishes to shift ihis fence nearer the line would be given permission to do so if a, rough sketch of the ground wanted was sent to the Inspector of Permanent Way, Te Aroha, and an offer of rent made (minimum of 10s per year lowest considered). “As instructed at the last meeting I have' prepared a list of those who had not complied with' notices to clear gorse, and though not many notices (have expired, there are a number nearly so. Some effort had been made in most cases, but a few are still unsatisfactory. After interviewing most of those I find a number are fairly new in the district and perhaps can claim more consideration. I do not. think those farmers 10 years or more in possession can fairly claim this.” A chemical company, in a letter, informed the council that supplies of sodium and atlacide were unobtainable for an indefinite period. Mention was made of a new mixture which has recently been introduced in the district and which is proving a great success. A question was raised as to whether this mixture had been experimented with by the Minister of Agriculture, and it was decided to write to the department asking if any experiment had been made and if so with what .result. The chairman reported that broom was steadily increasing and this should be prevented if possible. This opinion was endorsed by members, and the inspector was empowered to see that broom was cleared.