RAGWORT MENACE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3109, 27 January 1934, Page 5

RAGWORT MENACE

WAIPA COUNTY’S ACTIO# NOT BEFORE TIME As advertised in Thursday'# the Waipa County Council has deeidedt to appoint its own inspector under the Noxious Weeds Act and gives notice to all occupiers of land in the eoxtaiyt' to take steps to clear ragwort- add noxious weeds from their land# add from any public road. The action of the Waipa Couneil itt endeavouring to cope with the ragwort pest will be appreciated by those dis»trict land-owners who are honestly trying to deal with this steadily encroaching weed. It is true that many farmers are doing their best to rid their lands and frontages of the weed, t>ttt it is difficult to secure a universal effort, and consequently many landowners and occupiers are suffering if&m the laxity of others less mindful of the danger. -Only a few days ago an Independent' representative was discussing the rag- *> wort' problem with an old Cambridge district resident, who travels the district a good deal, and he expressed the opinion that so far as the Leamington' and Roto-o-rangi districts were concerned the pest was as prominent a$ ever. It is true that in the past there has been too much talk and not enough concerted effort, meanwhile the yellow • weed goes on spreading over the district countryside. It is to be hoped that other local bodies will follow the lead of Waipa, FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION - The ragwort menace subject was introduced at the monthly meeting of the Cambridge Farmers’ Union yesterday by Mr Feisst, who said that the pest was as prevalent as ever. Some districts were a yellow mass at the present time. The secretary advised that the Waipa, County Council had taken active steps and had now appointed its own inspector to inspect properties, especially with infested road frontages. , Mr Feisst thought that the branch might- well approach the Waikato County Council and ask that body to take some action. The local bodies' inspectors were bettor able to deal with the problem than individuals. It was stated that there were a number of patches of ragwort on the road frontages. Mr Feisst was of the opinion that it was more likely to have effective results if local bodies took over the control of the ragwort pest. Mr Marples said he was sorry to note the attitude of the Matamata County Council in declining to support the subsidised scheme of sodium chlorate purchases and supply. Local Body Congratulated. It was also decided to write the Waipa County Council congratulating that body on the action it had taken in appointing its own noxious weeds inspector. Mention "'ns made of a new prepaTat'on manufactured at Tauranga, aucMt was decided to write the Provincial Branch asking if it could supply samples of this cradicator for experimental purposes, or if the Provincial Branch did not have samples, if it could give the address of the manufacturers. It was stated that, this new eradicator could be purchased at half the cost of sodium chlorate.