RAGWORT PROBLEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 152, 26 April 1940, Page 5

RAGWORT PROBLEM

RECENT PROSECUTIONS RECALLED INSPECTOR'S STATEMENT As a sequel to the recent proi secutions for failing to clear ragwort Cr McCready advanced a complaint at the County Council's monthly meeting on Tuesday. Cr McCready statecj that one of the defendants had complained to him that only one visit had been paid to his property by the noxious weeds inspector before he had beei* served with a summons. The complaint also referred to de w fendant's offer to pay for the work of clearing if the Council would supply the necessary labour. This was not possible yet' the Council had advised him' that if he failed to clear he would be prosecuted and the work would then be done by the Council at the farmer's expense. Complainant contended that if the Council could supply the labour after a prosecution, it could furnish the men before* and thus make a prosecution unnecessary. Inspector Carling appeared before the Council and said that he kept a day to day diary which was initialled every day by tlic County Clerk. This diary showed that he liacl made four visits to the property in question, although he had seen the owner only twice. The owner had asked him whether it would be possible to engage men from the Council to do the ( work as he was very busy at the time. He would pay for the work. The Inspector had advised him that there were no men available from the Council's staff and he should get in touch with the Social Security Office. Establishing a Precedent. "We should be prepared to pu|j the men on and let the farmers pay for it," said Cr McGougan. In this case the farmer felt it hard that he should be prosecuted after saying he was willing to pay for the work if the Council would do it. If it was possible to clear ragwort at the farmers'" expense after a prosecution, why not before?

"Why summons them if they frankly admit that the job is too big for them but they are willing to pay for it to be done," said Cr Mo Cready. "It's putting the cart before the horse." Cr Cawte: A lot of the trouble is caused by the farmers leaving it too late. It was Cr Luxton's opinion that if there were only twelve notices sent out in the whole County, and only seven prosecutions, and then only one complaint afterwards, there was something wrong with the farmer complaining. It was pointed out by Cr Smith that the Council would be establishing a precedent by giving labour to those farmers Avho said they Avere too busy to clear ragwort. Every farmer would be wanting labour. Cr McGougan said it was apparent that Inspector Garling was doing his job. "The way-he enters up his diary every day gives us faith in him." "I just brought tlic matter up because the complaint had been made to me," said Cr McCready. 'II have nothing against Mr Carling; he seems to be doing his job well.'*

Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who presented the Budget in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Though Income Tax remains at 7/6 in the £ standard rate, increases have been made in otlier directions. Postage is now 2% instead of l%d and there is a further tax of 3d per ounce on tobacco. Matches will now cost per box and wines, spirits and beer will be dearer.