“NO RENT OR RATES”

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1935, Page 6

“NO RENT OR RATES”

ULTIMATUM OF SETTLER RAGWORT IN WHANGAMOMONA. / ’ NO PAYMENT UNLESS CHECKED. LARGE SUMS SPENT ON OWN FARM. Declaring that he would pay neither rent to the Crown Lands Department nor rates to the Whangamomona County Council unless something were done to abate the ragwort nuisance, Mr. J. Drumgool. Strathmore, wrote to the council yesterday. He asked whether the council had power to deal with landholders who refused to keep ragwort under control. “If you have no power and can do nothing,” said Mr. Drumgool, “I wish to inform you that you have received the last rates you will, get from me. You can sue and do what you like, even to taking the land. If things go on as they are, the land will be useless to anybody.” Mr. Drumgool stated that his time and material devoted to eradication of ragwort during the last 10 years had cost him £4O a year, and it looked as if the same amount would have to be spent again this year. By that day’s mail he had, sent a letter to the Commissioner of Crown Lands with a view to seeing whether that official could do something “If he cannot, then he gets no rent,” said Mr. Drumgool. In his 40 years on the farm, not one ragwort plant had shaken its seed on the place to his knowledge, but in nearby fields there was ragwort as high as four feet to six feet. “I don’t know how he has stood it'so long," remarked the chairman, Cr. N. R. Cleland, who said there was a good deal of ragwort in that district. Councillor Law pointed out that the council had not\ agreed to take over the control of ragwort within its boundaries, and that, therefore, the matter had better be referred to the Agriculture Department’s inspector. It was resolved that the chairman endeavour to persuade the Commissioner of Crown Lands to make a grant for getting the weed cut on one property. Meanwhile Cr. Ford agreed to stock the place with sheep. Mr. Drumgool is to be asked to refer his complaint to the inspector of weeds at Stratford.