NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5506, 27 November 1929, Page 2

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

RAGWORT AND TALL FESCUE

CHAMBER DISCUSSES MENACE,

A long discussion took place at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last night on the serious menace of noxious .weeds in Ohinemuri and Hauraki Plains counties.

The subject was brought up at the last meeting of the chamber, when a resolution was passed that the Minister of Lands be requested that some move be urgently made to combat the spread of lagwort, which had a serious hold at Karangahake and adjacent Crown lands. On October 14 the Minister answered stating that he was unable to identify the areas referred to, and requesting that an enclosed litho be marked showing the particular blocks of land. This request was acceded to, and the Minister replied at a later date that the matter was being further looked into and a reply would be given as soon as possible. When discussion on the subject opened at the chamber last evening Mr AV. Marshall stated that ragwort was already in flower at Karangahake, and he understood that specimens had been forwarded to Wellington to convince the department of the fact. He suggested that the chamber might ask the Minister if something could be done in the matter beyond a mere departmental inquiry. It should be a plea for action to remove a menace to the Hauraki Plains.

Mr J. McLean considered that the chamber should protest and keep on protesting. As well as ragwort there was tall fescue. There was no need to go as far as Karangahake to find noxious weeds, said the speaker ; there were plenty in the Borough of Paeroa itself without going further afield. In the district land once worth £4O an acre was now worth nothing through noxious weeds. The subject was not one to be played with ; the Government should be compelled to do something to combat the pest. Mr H. A. Mills stated that ragwort was already to be found on the Hauraki Plains, where not long ago there was none. He pointed out that it was not a question of the seed being borne by the river, and explained that, like the seed of the thistle, it was enclosed in a downy substance by which it was borne by the wind. To this fact, and to birds, Mr Mills put down the spread. He considered that the weeds on unimproved lands constituted the greatest menace, and added considerably to the difficulties of a serious danger. Oxeyed daisies were also a menace. The present laws were not being sufficiently enforced, stated Mr Mills. One could now see ox-eyes growing along the public road where a few years ago there was no such weed. The inspection. of noxious weeds should be made a fact, not a farce. No one seemed to know whether the enforcing of the law was a Government or a local body duty. Tall fescue was not a noxious weed, but it ought to be declared one. Mr McLean considered the chamber should request that tall fescue be declared a noxious weed. If anything, it was a worse pest than ragwort, and was harder to eradicate. The seed was chiefly carried by water from the Elstow district to the Hauraki Plains. He suggested that as other chambers were interested and concerned over lhe subject, their views should be ascertained and concerted action taken. Mr C. N. O’Neill said that the matter was provided for by law. The local body had the power to decide. He thought the chambei - should see what steps the ' Hauraki Plains County Council had taken, and then further its efforts.

Mr Mills was strongly of the opinion that the law did not include .tall fescue. The question had been repeatedly brought up all over New Zealand, but there was evidently something against declaring it a noxious weed ; some difficulty, soihe difference of opinion. Tall fescue should be placed on the optional schedule. The Minister - should certainly be requested to take strong action. Mr O’Neill proposed as a resolution that steps be taken with other - bodies to have tall fescue declared totally, or in certain districts, a noxious weed. The chamber should get in touch with other chambers and local bodies for the sake of combination. That would be better than a single unit, “like one crying in the wilderness.” Mr McLean thought it was not realised what a curse tall fescue was. The stuff’ was spreading day by day, not slowly, but by acres. One had only to think of Orongo. Mr A. F. Steedman : That belongs to the Government.

Mr O’Neill suggested that a subcommittee be formed to go into the matter and ascertain the opinions of other chambers and local bodies. It was too much to leave to the secretary. ' Mr 11. H. Bray, the secretary, stated that the early histoiy of tall fescue began with its planting at Omahu and the Waitoa estate. At one time the latter was all fescue. For 45 years now it had been growing there, and even yet all the farmers in that locality grew it. He thought the chamber would have great difficulty in securing the Piako County Council’s approval of the request. The settlers there would certainly not support the proposal. Mr Steedman asked what the law was concerning tall fescue growing by the roadside. Mr O’Neill stated that the property owner had to clear halfway to the middle of the road. He considered that opposition from the Piako County did not detract from the force of the proposal. Even if that county did not want tall fescue declared a noxious weed the Hauraki Plains did, and the chamber should support the Hauraki Plains. He urged the appointment of a sub-committee while enthusiasm was still keen.

A sub-committee consisting of Messrs A. T. Jones, J. McLean, W. Marshall, H. A. Mills, and C. N. O’Neill was thereupon appointed to go into the subject as suggested.