GORSE REMOVAL NOTICES NOT SENT TO FARMERS, COUNTY COUNCIL DEBATE

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 June 1948, Page 6

GORSE REMOVAL NOTICES NOT SENT TO FARMERS, COUNTY COUNCIL DEBATE

The decision of the Wanganui County Council at its May meeting to send notices to certain Makirikiri farmers to cut back gorse on the roadway was not carried out, and the reason for this was explained by the chairman at yesterday's meeting. Subsequently he gave notice of his intention to move at the next meeting that the motion should be rescinded. The matter was raised by Cr. E. T. Hine, who asked if letters had been sent to ratepayers regarding the cutting back of gorse, as agreed to at the May meeting. “I take it that it is possible to pass things at this meeting and to have them left over,’’ he said. The chairman (Mr. A. H. Collins) said the sending out of the letters had teen held over as it had been discovered that there would be many repercussions. This matter of cutting back gorse had been before the council every year, and the council was trying to find a way of meeting the pos : lion. It was realised that if notices were served on Makirikiri farmers to cut back their gorse, similar notices would have to be sent to farmcis in other parts of the county. Cr. N. Nielsen said that if the council cut back gorse and other shrubs there were people who would take advantage of the position. “It seems unfair that some property owners should have to cut back the growth themselves when the Main Highways Board is doing the job on the main highways,” said the chairman. The matter was not confined only to gorse, but included eve” trees vvnieh iMght overhang a roau.

“When I moved my resolution at the last meeting I had nothing in mind but gorse,” said Cr. F. G. Friedrich. “I had no intention of including other growth.” “I cannot see anything unreasonable if we as;; the ratepayers to pay for the removal of the growth," said Cr. T. Thwaites. He suggested that the council should send accounts to ratepayers on whose frontages work had been done in clearing away overhanging growth. Cr. Friedrich pointed out the unfair position which would arise if one man paid and another did not.

“When we take over the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act v.e can com? at thes*. people under a section of it," said the chairman.

Cr. Hine: Why don’t we take it over now?

“This resuiutkn v as passe.; at me last meetin* and n?v. ,ve a;ti r.c: going to do anything” saiu Cr. Hine. “I do not knew whether it is the correct thing to say but it is no credit to us We want the gorse cut back.” “If we are not going to send out the letters then we should rescind the motion,” said Cr. T. Mitchell

Cr. Thwaites what the legal position would be if anyone was injured by an overhanging tree or shrub ? The county clerk thought that there would be no claim against the council. The chairman gave notice of his in - tention to move at the next meeting that the motion to send out notices regarding the cutting back of gorse should i •? r) i.

“Have I done the right thing in bringing this forward? Am I within my rights n doingz so?” asked Cr. Hine. “It seems tough that the chairman has to give notice of motion to rescind the motion when he seconded it at the last meeting.” The chairman said that sometimes motions were passed at council meetings and when they were being give., effect to it was found tnat rney wotud have unexpected repercuss*ons.