NOXIOUS WEEDS CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1933, Page 12

NOXIOUS WEEDS CONTROL

CO-OPERATION WITH LOCAL BODIES MINISTER SEEKS INFORMATION. More explicit information as to . the direction in which co-operation of the Government with local bodies, with regard to noxious ’ weeds control was desired, is asked by.the Minister.of Agriculture (the Hon. C. E. Macmillan) as the outcome of resolutions passed at the last conference of Taranaki Local Bodies Association. A copy of the reply was forwarded to the Taranaki County Council by Mr. W. J. Tristram, secretary of the association. In his reply the Minister said he had noted the resolutions with interest and would be pleased to have consideration given to them. He should be glad, however, to be further enlightened in respect to the direction in which co-opera-tion of the Government with local bodies was desired. At present borough councils and town boards were given entire control of noxious weeds within their areas, so he presumed the resolution referred, to county councils but was somewhat at a loss to comprehend where the co-operation was expected. He had always understood county councils had.expressed themselves as opposed to the administration of the Act being carried out by them, but at the same time county councils could assist, and many had assisted, by arranging for one -of their employees to be appointed an inspector under the Act, and by virtue of that power he could, with his closer knowledge of the district, give great assistance in getting infested property cleared. If more explicit information could be given on that matter he would be pleased to go further into it. With regard to properties in which lending departments of the State were concerned, and the question of temporary tenancy by neighbours if possible, the Minister admitted that if such could be arranged it should to some extent relieve the position if the right tenant were obtained, and he would be please.’, to do anything he could in the matter, but the department’s experience in respect to short tenancies in such cases had been that they would not undertake any responsibility in respect to noxious weeds, and an account of their short tenancy the department was powerless to get anything done. Mr. Tristram asked for advise as to the co-operation desired by the council. He also pointed out that he was in communication with the Minister with regard to the fact that while borough councils and town boards could appoint inspectors for their own districts no similar provision appeared to exist with regard to counties.

The chairman (Cr. J. S. Connett) said that some years ago, with a view to assisting in dealing more effectively with noxious weeds, the council had moved in the direction of having its inspector appointed an inspector of noxious weeds. It was decided to again make application to have the council’s inspector gazetted an inspector under the Noxious Weeds Act.