The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1908. WHAT IS A NOXIOUS WEED?

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2171, 22 April 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1908. WHAT IS A NOXIOUS WEED?

Air. Barton, the local Stipendiary Alagistrate, tackled a knotty problem when he endeavored to decide a few weeks ago whether or not a plant that lias for some time been cultivated iu various districts for fruit-bearing purposes is a “noxious” weed according to the Act bearing that title. •The case was that'in which aTo Karaka orchardist, Air. Hugh Binnie, was charged with having created a breach" of the Act by neglecting to keep his land clear from a species of blackberry. Tho defendant did not deny that be had made no attempt to clear the plant away; indeed, he admitted that he had cultivated it, but claimed that it was not a weed within the definition of the Act. Apparently he was able to convince the Alagistrate that he was right, but the letter published in this morning’s issue from the Agricultural Department certainly throws fresh light upon the matter. The Government experts make it appear that tho local decision was wrong, and that being tho case the sooner matters arc set in train to review thejiositioii in the law courts the better it will be for all parties concerned. From evidence that lias come to hand, it is apparent that tho cultivation of tho plant can, be made a very profitable occupationj for an orchardist, for the blackberry,' particularly in some of its improved varieties, is a luscious fruit that is deservedly popular with tho public. Unfortunately the plant which bears the blackberry has acquired a very undesirable reputation with property owners throughout, the Dominion, because of the extraordinary manner in which it spreads and completely monopolises land upon which it onco gains a fair hold. In several parts of the Dominion there are hundreds of acres which have been practically given over to the blackberry, for once this pest takes charge of a paddock it completely' chokes all other growth, aiujrthe cost of eradication is almost prohibitive. Ono very large sheepfariner stated recently' that he would sooner have to deal with any other scourge on his property than blackberry, even Californian thistle, ragwort, and other pests being less troublesome. AVhen practical men look upon the blackberry as so great a curse, it is evident that the Agricultural Department is working on right lines in insisting upon its extermination. ' Local orchardists may claim that they are making a legitimate use of the plant, and are keeping it within bounds, but this can only apply to their own properties. Seeds are carried by birds and the wind, so that one small bush becomes a permanent nursery for disseminating the plant for miles around. Quite apart from the legal aspect of tho matter or the scientific nomenclature given to certain varieties, it may be laid down as a broad principle that any plant which possesses the general characteristics of the common blackberry is, in fact, if not in law, a noxious weed that should be destroyed -wherever it may make its appearance. AVhen Air Binnie’s case was bpfore the Court sonje of the evidence seemed to indicate that the habits of tho improved form of blackberry’, which is being grown for its fruit, are radically' different from those of tho more common variety, and this is an aspect of the case which merits careful attention. If the fruit can be obtained without running the risk of encouraging a pest so much the better, but until this is definitely found to be the ease, there is no option but for the Stock Department to continue to administer the law as it stands.

Tho City Hockey Club will hold its annual meeting at the Royal Hotel to-night at 7.30 p.m.

Tlio AVcllington-,Brindisi despatch of the thirteenth of Alareli arrived m London on tho afternoon of tho seventeenth inst.

A number of eases of drunkenness' 1 and of procuring liquor whilst under prohibition will come before tho S.AI. this morning.

A popular social, organised by tho Church of England, will be held m the Kaiti schoolroom on Friday night next, commencing at 7.30 p.m. The proceeds are to bo devoted to the organ fund. A number of residents of .the TJrewera Country are at present in Gisborne trying t 0 form a syndicate to send out a party of prospectors to test the auriferous reel's and alluvial deposits that are said to exist there.

At tho request of a large number of ratepayers, (Air. \V. J. I*. Gaudin has consented to stand for the vacant seat oil the Borough Council. This makes three candidates in tho field, the other two being Alessrs. G. Dalton and F. Harris.

A mooting of Air. AV. D. Lysnar’s executive committoo was hold last evening, Air. Birrell in the chair. Good progress reports were received, and routine business transacted. Air. Lysnar will address tho electors in His Alajesty’s Theatre this evening at 8 p.m. The Cook County Council election for tho return of a representative for tho AVaimata riding takes place to-day. The candidates are Messrs. Clias. Gray and Thomas Holden. Polling booths have been appointed at the following places County Council office, Public Hall, AVaimata; tSinglo’s store, Tatapouri; Bruce’s store, Waiohika.

It was stated at the meeting of tho Gisborne Borough Council last evening that an -abbatoir employee, who is a single man, and who is allowed a free cottage owned by the Council, was subletting it. Cr. Sheridan said the principle of allowing such a thing was wrong, and the' Council decided not to allow tlic cottages to ho sublet by- their employees. A man named William James Imrie, who has been “wanted” since early in 1907, was arrested in town last night by Detective Rawlo. Imrie will appear at the Police Court this morning, and will bo charged with having obtained the sum of £4 7s 3d from Alessrs. Paterson and Barr, Dunedin, by means of false pretences.

A shareholder, wlio recently returned from a visit to AVaihi, states that the prospect of the AVaihi East Goldmining Company’s property, which i; situated next to tho AVaihi Company’s big mine, lias greatly improved. A cross-cut lias been put through the reef at the lower level and proves the lode to, be 65 feet in width, and carrying increased value on the footwall of the reef. A meeting of shareholders will be held shortly in Gisborne shortly to elect directors.

The Alanawatu Standard of Thursday’ says:—Our special correspondent with tiie New Zealand howlers mentions that during the voyage over in the Alaheno, a steerage passenger, Arthur Rollmson, of Gisborne, was found on the promenade deck with his throat cut in a pool of blood, it was thought that the man’s attempt to take liis life had proved successful, but Dr. Williams, of Sydney, a through passenger, managed to pull him round, a piece of tubing being inserted in the place of the severed windpipe.

A meeting of Dr. AA’illiams’ executive committee was held in All'. Mann’s office last evening. There was a la'rge attendance, and favorable reports were received from the various members as to the progress made since the. last meeting. A large amount of routine business was trans-

acted. Arrangements for the conveyance of voters to the poll are well in hand, and it would materially assist the committee if any supporters who arc called upon during the next few days would notify the secretary or any member of the committee as to the time that would be most- convenient for members of their household to bo called for.

The Alayor said the pressure tank connected with tlio water supply was •hardly' strong enough for the high pressure of 1751 b., and that a new tank to provide a higher pressure would be needed when the work was completed. Ho thought the work sluSuld be authorised. Cr. AVilliams said he had visited the works at To Anii,, and agreed with 'the suggestion, for. Sheridan said it was originally (proposed' to only have a supply of 800 gallons’ a minute, hut a How of 1000 gallons • was decided upon, and the extra 200 gallons had cost £IO,OOO. Cr. Bright was against any alteration in the pressure tank until the contract was completed and the pipe line tested. It was deckled nob to undertake the work at the present time. ,

A pleasing ceremony took place at the Gisborne Hotel last evening, when Air. James Friar, of the firm of Teat and Friar, was presented by a number of friends with a set of silvermounted pipes on the occasion of his leaving for a trip to the Old Conntry’. The presentation was made by Air. Al. A. Neill, who referred in eulogistic terms to the high esteem in which (Mr. Friar was held by employees' of the firm. Air. Neill also made special reference to the honor conferred upon Air. Friar’s nephew, Sergeant Friar ,of the Onehunga cadets, who had the distinction of being chosen to represent- the Dominion . in the school cadets’ shooting competition at Home. (Air. Friar is visiting England after an absence of forty-seven years, and it is a pleasing circumstance that lie will he accompanied by one who is going Home in an endeavor to add to the further prestige of the Dominion.

It is not generally known that during his rambles on the island, Robinson Crusoe discovered a thill, fiat circular disc, composed principally of asbestos. This he invariably placed under the saucepan when cooking his meals, thereby preventing the contents from burning, and this week it’s Stove Mats at 4d each at Parnell’s P-opular Saturday Sale. &