NOXIOUS WEEDS IN MARTON BOROUGH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 283, 1 December 1941, Page 3

NOXIOUS WEEDS IN MARTON BOROUGH

REPLY TO RANGITIKEI COUNTY’S PROTEST , Complaints that noxious weeds’ were prevalent in the Borough ol Marton, made at a recent meeting of the Rangitikei County Council, drew the reply that the allegations were "sweeping and incorrect." The question was again discussed by the County Council when a letter from the town clerk. Marlon, was received at the monthly meeting on Friday. Cr. J. R. L. Hammond moved that : the borough be offered the services of i the county's noxious weeks inspector, I but. after study of the files showed I that a similar offer was made in 1936 and rejected, the motion was with- i drawn and the Marton Borough Council's letter received. The council also received letters from the Taihape Borough Council and the Hunterville Town Board, the former stating that every assistance I would be given in the control of | noxious weeds. The Hunterville Town Board asked if the County Council would permit its inspector ol noxious weeds (Mr. A. \V. Trotter) to act in the town district, and after a short discussion the request was granted, the council agreeing to make no cnarge. Acknowledging receipt of the Rangitikei County Council's letter, the town clerk, Marlon, Mr. C. C. Donald, wrote that he had been directed to call attention to a statement in which Cr. J. Brice was reported to have said, at the previous meeting of the County Council, that "hemlock was in flower in almost every back-yard in Marton." "There are approximately Sub backyards in Marton and the Borough Council requests Cr. Brice to state date, or dates, on which he made his inspection of property in the borough, with results to warrant his sweeping and incorrect allegation." the letter added. "Cr. Brice is also invited to supply a list of back-yards within the borough where he sawhemlock in liowet." Noxious weeds growing in the borough affected the county " said Cr. A. S. Coleman, who said the county should have something to say about keeping these weeds m check. The chairman, Cr. K. W. Dalrymple, remarked that the countyhad no say in what was done in the borough. The seeds of noxious weeds were coming from the Marton Borough into the county, and a number of ratepayers in his riding had asked if something could not be done in the matter, said Cr. Coleman. He added that the county was spending £BOO a year on noious weed inspection. Cr. Hammond said that sooner or later, a deputation might have to wait on the Minister ot Agriculture, Hon. J. G. Barclay, and ask that all these small borough be brought under the provisions of the Act for preventing the spread of noxious weeds. "I agree with Cr. Hammond,' said ' Cr. Coleman. The chairman said that the weeds were in the Lower Rangitikei first j and hau wonted inland. Cr. Coleman: The man living In a ■ borough has only a quarter o£ an acre , of ground as a rule. Surely he can ■ keep it in order. The farmers have thousands of acres to look after.