RAGWORT CONTROL

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22245, 14 January 1944, Page 2

RAGWORT CONTROL

WORK IN MATAMATA COUNTY TERRITORIALS EMPLOYED “The native-owned block of land* at Okauia, about 200 acres, is heavily infested with ragwort,” said the inspector of noxious weeds, Mr E. W. Kemp, in a report to the Matamata County Council yesterday. He added that he was arranging to have that and other nativeowned areas, also vacant Crown land blocks, cleared on contract if possible County property was also being attended to. The worst case in the county was a property at Okauia, on which he had employed a gang of 12 territorials. He proposed also to employ gangs of territorials near Putaruru clearing the noxiThe inspector said the response generally by farmers to his representations had been satisfactory. In some of the northern ridings ragwort had got beyond control, especially on rights-of-way giving access to native-controiled properties. It was pointed out by a councillor that the cost of clearing by territorials could be recovered by the counc:i on individual properties. Councillors mentioned several farms where ragwort was increasing, and urged the inspector to press the owners to give attention without delay so as to prevent the ragwort seeding. Gratifying Improvement Mr G. C. Dunham said tnere had been a very gratifying improvement in the Tokoroa district, where about 40 soldiers were doing good work on many farms. Mr C. H. Latrobe said soldier labour for work in the Maungatnutari district could be drawn from Cambridge. Some farms were steadily becoming infested with ragwort especially on the Orepunga road. Mr T. Corry named an area in what he