THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1907. WILLOWS IN THE RIVERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 23, 29 March 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1907. WILLOWS IN THE RIVERS.

The growth of the willow in the King Country streams continues, and unless steps are very shortly taken to combat the evil, even more serious consequences, than heretofore, are bound to ensue. In the Mangaokewa river, at Te Kuiti, there is a striking object lesson of the way in which the willow is propagated. Some ingenious person possessed of more zeal than discretion, has lopped off a number of branches from an old tree. These have been carried down stream and some of them have lodged in various places en route. The ford opposite the saleyards has offered an obstruction to some of the branches, which are already beginning to shoot, and threaten to take permanent root. This is only a solitary case which happens to be brought to notice, simply because it occurs in the Centre of the township. The same process is doubtless a constantly recurring one, and each season sees further encroachments by the now dreaded pest. Attention has previously been drawn to the evil in these columns, and it is high time the matter was taken in hand by the authorities, and those interested. In the past it was a case of nobody's 'business, and the same lethargic attitude may continue, unless people in each locality bestir themselves. From Hangatiki to Otorohanga the willow has obtained complete possession of the river, r and the work of eradication will prove a very costly item. The railway authorities are deeply interested, and would, no doubt, assist any movement towards systematically combatting the curse. There is no need to travel to see examples of the bad effects of allowing the willow to increase ; we have them all round us. The experience of the Te Awamutu people while illustrating the evil, also affords an example of what can be done in the way of eradication. It is to be hoped that a strong, combined effort will be made by the whole of the King Country settlers affected, and with representations made to the proper quarters no doubt the movement will be assisted.