NOXIOUS WEEDS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 2608, 10 April 1926, Page 5

NOXIOUS WEEDS

EFFECTING A CLEARANCE. LEAMINGTON TOWN BOARD'S ACTION. The steadily increasing menace of noxious weeds, particularly blackberry and gorse, in the Leamington district was a subject for considerable discussion at the monthly meeting of the board on Thursday last. The chairman (Mr W. Richmond) said the position was such that it was high time the board took some definite action to compel land owners and occupiers to clear their sections in the district for there were still many in a very bad state. The chairman moved that three months’ notice be given owners and occupiers to grab and clean blackberry and gorse from their sections, and at the expiration of that period persons failing to carry out the board’s instructions be proceeded against. Mr Mack asked how was the board going to force ratepayers to grub if the Act did not provide for such. The chairman replied that the Act did provide for grubbing. Mr Mack said it seemed useless to compel a ratepayer to grub gorse off his land when an adjoining owner’s land was perhaps surrounded with a gorse hedge. The board could not compel the owner to grub out the hedge. . Mr Harris: No, but we can compel him to keep the same trimmed. Mr Mack: Well, I’m up against these gorse hedges. They shoiild be cleared out of the district. The Chairman: Well, what do you suggest. Mr Mack: Compel them to cut gorse hedges out holus bolus. If the Act does not provide for this, then I consider it a poor one. The resolution was carried unanimously. It was also decided that Messrs Mack and Hicks inspect all board lands and take the necessary action to clear same where necessary. The chairman drew attention to a section rented by Mr Hall, of Kaipaki, and it was resolved that the secretary, write asking if he desired to relinquish the lease of same. The board decided to call, tenders for the lease of an , area surrounding Mack’s gravel pit, the period to be five years.