THE FARMERS' CURSE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 240, 9 March 1910, Page 2

THE FARMERS' CURSE.

What are the duties of a noxious weeds inspector? We ask in a spirit of mild enquiry, consequent on a walk round the township the other day. Everywhere there is evidence of neglect to keep in check that specially noxious weed, blackberry, and of weeds not scheduled as "noxious," such as docks, there are only too plain evidence that nobody cares whether they flourish or not. There is little doubt, if things are allowed to continue as they are much longer these farmers' curses will spread to land hitherto free. It is high time a vigilant watch was being kept on all land bearing blackberry and gorse. The duty of the Inspeckr is plain and straightforward. Let him notify every owner and insist upon the necessary work being done. Whether Maori or European it matters not. There is no difficulty in ascertaining who owns the land, and at least within the area of the proposed borough it ought to be possible to keep down noxious weeds. No self-respecting owner can offer any objection to a radical policy of clearance. It is to the interests of everyone that noxious weeds be stamped out. There is no difficulty in finding them. They are only too apparent. There is no difficulty in getting at the owners of the land. These, also, can be readily found. The only difficulty seems to be to get the weeds cleared. "If each before his own door swept, the village would be clean," says the poet. It is time the same admirable sentiments were applied to the land in this district.