THE RAGWORT MENACE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 54, Issue 3892, 21 April 1937, Page 7

THE RAGWORT MENACE

.WAIPA COUNTY OPERATIONS. NEED FOR CONTINUAL EFFORT. At the monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council on Monday afternoon, considerable discussion took place in connection with the county's scheme for the eradication of ragwort. Cr L. F. Onion said that, financially, the Council had kept well within its estimates last year, and had accomplished much good work as well. Cr D. B. Livingstone said that, the Council had got out of the position well financially, especially in view of the large amount of good work accomplished. They must go ahead with the scheme and combat the pest -at every stage, especially to prevent it seeding. As to the defaulters, he moved that the list be referred to the Ragwort Committee, to use its own discretion.

The chairman (Cr S. C. Macky) said that the Council received 20 per cent allowance from the Department of Agriculture to help indigent farmers, but he still thought -that farmers who could, should be made to pay. The inspector said that some of the farmers appearing on the defaulters’ list had already spent considerable sums combating the ragwort. The motion was carried.

LETTER OF APPRECIATION. A letter was received from Messrs Dixon Bros., of .Pirongia, thanking the Council for its efforts in the matter of ragwort eradication, and expressing appreciation of the good work done by the county gangs. The chairman said it was very gratifying that their efforts were appreciated. THE INSPECTOR’S SALARY. The chairman brought up the question of increasing the inspector’s salary. It had, some considerable time ago, been increased from £4 to £5 per week, but in view of the rising costs of living and the bigger wages being paid elsewhere,' he thought it should be increased, and he accordingly moved that from April 1 last the salary of the inspector be £3OO per annum. Cr T. Church seconded the motion. The engineer (Mr J. W. Civil), remarked that Mr Wall was an excep ttonally good inspector, yet he was not receiving as much as some of the county workmen. Cr N. Reid said that in Mr Wall they had a very good man, against whom no complaints whatever had been received. He had a wonderful way with him for getting on with the farmers.

Mr E. F. Peacock: And can get them to do things which would not otherwise be done!

Cr R. J. Graham supported, while the chairman remarked that £5 a-week would go no further now than when £4 a week was originally paid. Mr D. B. Livingstone supported, as in Mr Wall they had an exceptional man, in that he was tactful, yet firm. The motion was carried.