GRASS-GRUB PEST

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1932, Page 2

GRASS-GRUB PEST

LORD BLEDISLOE’S SUGGESTION. FOSTERING BIRD LIFE. v’ WELLINGTON, July 6. “I have viewed with much anxiety the widespread destruction of pasture turf wrought by the grass grub in the area between Matamata and Te Aroha,” said the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in an interview at Te Aroha-, in the 'bourse of his tour. “Apart from the use of a heavy roller and quicklime, such remedies as lie open to the farmer are too- expensive to be economic propositions. “When an almost identical British pest, the cockchafer grub—devouring in its two forms the roots of grasses and the leaves of trees—commences depredations, the most effective remedy is found in turning poultry on to grubinfested patches of pasture. This, of course, becomes inefficacious where the evil is as widespread as it is here. “But, pending the discovery and availability of some effective parasite, now being inquired into at the Gawthro n Institute, Nelson, it' suggests the eminent desirability of promoting the increase in this district of starlings and other birds by putting a- stop for the time being to all egg-collecting Oh the part of school children and others ,in the iocality. School teachers Would bo doing a kindness to the local farmers if they took steps accordingly.” When replying to the welcome at Morrinsville, his Excellency again referred to the grass grub pest. He said he would suggest to' the children _ ol Morrinsville that they would be doing a good thing if they refrained from collecting eggs, particularly starlings’ eggs. He appealed to the school teachers to urge the children not to collect eggs for at least 18 months.