NOXIOUS WEEDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 79, 8 June 1943, Page 5

NOXIOUS WEEDS

A GROWING MENACE

COUNTY INSPECTOR'S

COMMENTS

In the course of his report to the Whakatane County Council v T * Inspector A. Carling dwelt at some length on the. growing prevalence of noxious weed's in the County. "I spent a lot of time during the season on noxious, weeds inspection'-' he stated, "instructing settlers, managers and supervisors of properties to clear noxious weeds and serving notices on those who did not plj r with my instructions* Most settlers are making a genuine attempt to keep noxious weeds under control whilst others are neglecting this important work, giving as a reason, shortage of labour and atlacide. 1 have appreciated the soundness of the excuse offered in

many cases and not been as exacting in jny requisitions to clear had conditions been normal. However I cannot help but mention that those who are failing to achieve a satisfactory clearance are in the great majority of cases the same ones who failed to clear their properties in normal times. The council's stock of atlacide is about exhausted. Generally speaking the position is this:— Ragwort: Apart from 3 or 4 places which are allowed to go tt>o long before doing anything, the position is about the same as previous years. Blackberry and Dewberry: These in my opinion are getting worse and if the settlers concerned do not. give more attention to the clearing of them, they will present a very serious problem. Gorse: This also is on the increase, especially on drain banks, river banks, unoccupied sections and hill country."