Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1919. ANOTHER PEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1997, 1 July 1919, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1919. ANOTHER PEST.

THE farmers in this district are threatened with another pest, a noxious plant —goatsvuo. This weed, when once it takes hold, and if lot to go unchecked, increases to such an evf-'nl fhal it takes possession of rite soil. At last night’s meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce the Mayor and several other speakers referred to the growth of this weed along the banks of the Manawatu River. Mr Chrystall stated that the plant had taken possession of one property in the district, but up to the present it had not spread beyond the slop-banks adjacent to Moutoa properties. It appears that this weed was planted by the Government on an island between the Manawatu and Pohangina rivers. IVe are not aware of the Government’s object in introducing the plant, but it grew and flourished, and the seeds were, carried down stream, and have taken root along the banks and on certain properties. The Kairangu and Manawatu Counties were asked to declare the weed a noxious growth under the Noxious Weeds Act. The Kairanga County has so declared it, but so far the Manawatu County has taken no steps in the matter. If goatsrue will fatten stock, increase the milk yield, or enrich the soil, it should be encoiu’aged, but not otherwise. The action of the Chamber of Commerce in bringing the matter undet* the notice of the Agricultural Department and Manawatu County is timely, and we hope will result in immediate action to stay its progress.