NOXIOUS WEEDS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 71, Issue 6138, 19 September 1945, Page 7

NOXIOUS WEEDS

LAND-OWNERS TO. PAY FULL COSTS' DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULUTURE CONTROL The noxious weeds inspector (Mr G. M. Wall) submitted the following report to the Waipa County Council on Monday:— “ During- the period since last meeting of the Council a considerable amount of time has been spent in office work and in attending to the various complaints which keep arising. The clearing of noxious weeds from the frontage of the property on Parallel Road, Kaipaki, complained of in my last report, is held up on account of labour, but it is hoped to complete matters in the near future. Noxious weed control under the Department of Agriculture for this season carries an injunction to enforce the clause whereby the full cost of work done on private lands shall be recovered. It is difficult to advance any sound argument against this decision, particularly in view of the fact that provision has been made for dealing with Crown, unindividualised native lancls, and truly indigent owners. Two men have been engaged in mixing sodium chlolate and lime at the depot, and a good supply is now on hand for sate to farmers. The sales for the period are 9 tons 17 cwt of sodium and lime mixture, and we have taken into stock 25 drums of sodium and 48 tons of lime.” Cr Hall said he understood from the report that in future farmers utilising the ragwort gang would have to pay the whole of the wages. It used to be 2s 6d; then it was raised to ss; now the whole amount would have to be paid. He considered that that would cause a certain amount of hardship. Mr Wall said there was nothing" new in the clause. Sooner or later the position would have to be faced. It would mean, in effect, that farmers might prefer to employ their own labour. Under the instructions they would haye to sign an agreement, and if unable to pay they would have to show why they could not do so. He thought few farmers wound be able to do the latter. Cr Hall pointed out that where areas were badly infested it would be a big drain on farmers’ finances. Cr Garland said it would be an awful pity to see the Kairangi settlement get away again, for it was badly infested with noxious weeds as it was. Mr Wall said the position would be dealt with in the most practicable way possible. Cr Alexander said it would be reasonable to give consideration where necessary, such as areas adjacent to badly infested areas. It was pointed out that Messrs G. M. Wall and W. G. Bonner (Government stock inspector) would have to report on such cases. Cr Hall said he was doubtful if the Council could give any consideration. Mr Wall said • the present arrangement must eventually come to an end, and now the position was that' unless farmers were able to produce evidence that they were not financially able to do the work they would be expected to do it. The report was adopted. The Council was advised that three tons of sodium chlorate had been allocated to the county.