Ragwort.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 197, 24 February 1905, Page 2

Ragwort.

“ Grown at Kswbia, not Te Ran-a-moa.” Such was the placard attached to a plant covered with lovely yellow flowers, which was hanging up at tba door of Messrs Hinton, and Hustler’s shop last week. When a few peraozs had enquired as to Um name of the “ beautiful flower,” Mr Hootkr beaded the notice with the worn “ Bagwort,” so that residents should know the yellow pest when they saw it. This is not mere fiction but • positive fact. We believe that there is plenty of this weed in the vicinity cf the township, and we are very loth o announce the fact, but such is tba ci l. A resident informs os that la-1 year ba pulled up one plant cf ra, - woit,yat this year at the same place he has pulled ahoui a dozen—and Ibis light in the town cf Kawbia. Tba above is a Very fair sample of the growing capacities of ragwort, acdoue informant ominously .added, “ If this is iho case thia year, why -«xt year my place will bo all ragwort.” We have jrrinen to ins Department of Agriculture, Wellington, slating the ctee, and asking tor pamphlet: on the subject, when we hope to have in a few day’s time, when we shall he pleased to hand them to eettien in search of information relative to this weed. The latter written to thia paper by -Mr P. W. Bell was re-printed in tha Waikato Times a few days ago. In the same issue appears the following Irom a Te Bau a moa correspondeut: —‘‘ The residents of this district are greatly exercised over the rapid spread of the ragwort pest, and are awakenShe imperative naceadty for the of combined action to cope e evil. As Me H. J Gnecslade, wbo is a member of the Auckland Land Board, has always shown himself to be a true friend of settlers in all parte of the district, it was recently decided to write to him, requesting that he should, as a'.msmlier of tha Land Board, visit Te Rau-a-moa and attend a meeting of the residents that will be convened on any data that will suit his convenience. Mr Gtoeaelade has replied acceding to * tba request, i und has promised that ba will do all ba possibly can to assist tba Millard.” i The following day the annexed sig- ; nificant appeared in the i same paper,—“ln connection with i the paragraph in the Times on Thorn, j i day, commenting on tha spread of rag- > wort at Te Rau-a-moa, a Hamilton i resident informs ua that that setilei ment is not the only one which will I have cause to complain. He states ■ that on a number of farms and private 1 sections around Hamilton, ragwort, ■ either from ignorance or carelessness, t is being allowed to spread. He relatee i an incident, the truth of which ba 1 vouches for. Ono day, whilst visiting a a farmer’s house, his attention was > attracted by a beautiful bunch of tagr wort, planted in a prominent piece in 1 the front garden. He questioned the s farmer, end the latter replied that his - wife bad found the pretty flower (be a did not know what it was) in an adk joining paddock. He considers that ■ samples of the weed should be exhibi- ■ tod in one or two of our shop wins dowat and ha mentions that a few fine ■ plants can be seen growing at Hamilton East.” Hamilton is the place of residence of either two or three noxious weeds and other inspectors! Is it any wonder that ragwort is spreading al such an alarming rate ?

Mz G. H. Mackenzie, of Oparau, writes :— *■ Sir, —In your issue of the 10th iost. appears a letter on ragwort and its raining effects. Me Bali undoubtedly understands the curse ragwort is to the dietriot, and his idea of getting a petition signed by all interested, either directly w indirectly, is a good one. There is one principal fact regarding ragwort and ite spread that he has not mentioned, and that is that on large native areas and unoccupied Crown lands no attempt is made to stop the spread of this weed. I suggest that if a petitkm is being signed by all, we should mention the above fact. AU the land at present unoccupied would at coca ba taken np, whether native or crown,*providing intending seUfore could be aura of their title to native land. At preMat the leasing of native land is in a very uuMtistactory state, as before it in poceiblo te get a title, aometignea equal to two years rent is paid in the attempt. We want a nativ<temim direct from the Government under an indisputable title. Il aU lands wars occupied that would bo a big check to too spread of ragwort.”