CONTROL OF RAGWORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 264, 29 January 1941, Page 5

CONTROL OF RAGWORT

COUNTY COUNCIL'S CONCERN STRONGER MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED The problem as to how to obtain the best results with the control of ragwort caused considerable discussion at yesterday's meeting of the Whakatane County Council, the members desirous of keeping the weed checked arc concerned on the behalf of those farmers who do their best, but fight a losing battle under handicap, being unanimous that measures would have to be adopted whereby settlers, who did not make sufficient effort to control the weed, would be forced to cease jeopardising neighbouring properties by allowing the growth to seed.

A recommendation tabled from the Finance Committee meeting that tlie worst offenders be prosecuted, by a small majority did not find favour of the council, it being felt that in many cases farmers were unfortunately placed in that their farms bordered Native or Crown sections, which Avere literally seeding ground for the weed. -It was considered that in these eases it would be difficult to decide whether a prosecution would be warranted or have the desired result. It was felt by the majority that the powers under the Act enabling the council to, if lands were not cleared in c'acordance with notices served, ik> the required work itself and charge the cost to the land owner be enforced. This was put in the form of a mAtion by C.r McOeady and seconded by Gr. McGougan who, with their supporters, felt that if farmers were /notified of such intention by the council they would hasten to save, the extra expense incurred by the gang being sent o» to their property if they had anj intention at all of doing the work.