BLACKBERRY CONTROL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4189, 26 May 1939, Page 5

BLACKBERRY CONTROL

COUNTY’S FOUR DRAINAGE AREAS. The inspector of noxious weeds, Mr G. M. Wall, at Wednesday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council, made special reference to the four subsidiary drainage areas within the county—Lake Cameron (Rukuhia), .Pirongia, Monavale and Kakepuku—and said all four had been inspected, and although everything is satisfactory for this year, he considered now is the time to determine a definite policy for the future. "The position is that in past years," he said, “the blackberry has steadily increased in growth, both in and along the drains, to such an extent that the revenue yield from rates will not cover the cost of clearing the actual drain. This was foreseen, and as a result of the grant obtained for spraying, the clearing of the drains has been let this year at a price within the rateable revenue obtained." Mr Wall said the real solution appeared to be to raise the revenue and increase spraying. Cr Garland said the Monavale drains were not in good order because of the lack of funds. Inspections had been made. He would like to see Mr Turkington assisted by clearing the outlet up to his boundary. Perhaps subsidised labour could be obtained for this work. It was pointed out that that drain is in the Tuatuamoana drainage area. The chairman said relief labour ' was the only solution to the difficulty. It was mentioned that Mr Goosman, M.P., had received a petition from the settlers for presentation to Parliament, praying for relief. To questions, the chairman said the limit of rate in these areas was one penny in the pound on the capital value.

Mr Wall undertook to present recommendations to the Finance Committee before the annual estimates are presented.