NOXIOUS WEED SPREAD

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1935, Page 12

NOXIOUS WEED SPREAD

EGMONT COUNTY MENACE STATE OF ROAD FRONTAGES. COUNCIL DECIDES ON ACTION. Noxious weeds formed the subject of further discussion at the meeting of the Egmont County Council yesterday, when the opinion was expressed that the position, owing to the favourable climatic conditions, was worse this year. It was stated that some road frontages were in a disgraceful state and that some farms were a wilderness. The council decided to take drastic action in regard to the eradication of the weeds on road frontages, over which it has control, and also authorised its engineer to notify the noxious weeds inspector of any bad cases of neglect on the part of occupiers. It was recognised that the inspector was very busy at present trying to cope with the position. The discussion arose following a report by the chairman (Mr. W. C. Green) that, when at Wellington he had waited on the Minister of Agriculture and had informed him that the council was not at present prepared to undertake control of the noxious weeds. In view of the fact that ragwort was coming into seed some weeks earlier this season, he asked that steps should be taken to enforce the regulations regarding the control of noxious weeds. The Minister had noted his request and had assured him that everything would be done to assist. Cr. Green hoped that the inspector would get to work early, as there was a lot of ragwort in full bloom that could be easily pulled. Cr. E. G. Holmes thought the inspector already had the matter in hand as he was very busy. Cr. Tosland said there appeared to be more ragwort, even on properties where it had been kept clear for years. To cope with ragwort successfully it should be treated in three stages. It should first be sprayed about November, then pulled about the New Year and again in February. The chairman said the council might perhaps consider making provision when framing its estimates to provide funds so that next year it might handle the control of noxious weeds itself. At present it did not have the necessary funds. CONSTANT ATTENTION NEEDED. Cr. Holmes said his experience was that ragwort required attention every week to keep it in check. Something must 'be done at once, as some of the road frontages in the central riding were a perfect disgrace, being overrun with ragwort, gome and blackberry. On some of the by-roads it was difficult for two vehicles to pass, owing to the gorse. Cr. Farquharson: The farmers will soon be unemployed. Cr. Holmes: There is plenty of employment for them. with the noxious weeds that are about. Cr. Lilley expressed the opinion that the noxious weeds inspector was working hard in his efforts to cope with the menace. Cr. Gibson later drew attention to the state of some sections on the Witiora and Upper Kina Roads, which were a wilderness of ragwort and were a distinct menace to clean country. The ragwort was a nightmare in country like that. Cr. Farquhar: What do you suggest? Cr. Gibson said he had told some of those concerned that the weeds should be cleared not only in their own interests, but in the interests of their neighbours. He had made it clear that if the county council took over control it would prove more expensive to those whose weeds they cleared. Some of the owners had taken steps to clear the weqds. Other land, however, was part of a deceased native’s estate. Mr. Gibson also drew attention to the necessity for settlers clearing the weeds Off their road frontages. The engineer said he was tired of writing to ratepayers. The only way was to prosecute a number without any further warning. • Cr. Holmes understood that the inspector was moving in the matter. It was not necessary now to send any notice before instituting a prosecution. The chairman pointed out that the council only had authority over the noxious weeds on the roadside and he agreed that steps should be taken at once to deal with these. It was finally decided to notify occupiers that all noxious weeds must be cleared from road frontages, ragwort and blackberry particularly, to be cut within 14 days. The engineer was given authority to prosecute offenders who failed to comply with the notice.