BLACKBERRY ON FOOTPATHS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5421, 8 May 1929, Page 2

BLACKBERRY ON FOOTPATHS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Our former Mayor and councillors who consented to serve the Borough of Paeroa are all again deservedly in their seats. With your permission I somewhat confidently beg to draw their attention to a matter which is the worst eyesore we have to endure in Paeroa, and which must have a depressing effect on visitors. I refer to our footpaths, but more especially to the frequent long dense patches of blackberry on the street and roadsides. Also to the fact that many private owners permit their hedges to encroach on the footpath sometimes several feet. These things should not continue. All the works executed by the council have been either popular or void of pressing specially on individuals, and if the council will view all the streets with this question in point I am sure they will not hesitate to act, even although they know it will be unpopular with many. Action should be taken at once. Had it beeh done years ago, when first required, the cost would have been a few shillings each to a few owners ; now it will be many pounds each to many owners. Everyone knows that the law requires owners to keep down noxious weeds in front of their property from the boundary to the centre of the road. The negligence of former authorities on this question is almost criminal. To allow it to continue would be deplorable, and the consequent increased cost would be heavy. With some diffidence I Would suggest that the council might help owners of small means as it now does with sewerage connections, and in very special cases, such as widows with little means, the counciL might itself do the owner’s share. The present practice, which is wrong and, I think, also illegal, is for the council to employ their own men to cut down the blackberries and burn them without charge to the property owners. If this practice continues the yearly cost to the council will steadily increase, which is not fair to those who have industriously kept their frontages clear. This is a case where strict application of the law is entirely in the transgressor’s interest. The good offices of the council should also be applied to- the clearing of private sections within the borough as far as their influence extends. If the present council will take ’ this matter up the work is as good as done. Wm. FORREST.