GOATSRUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2016, 16 August 1919, Page 3

GOATSRUE.

A SERIOUS MENACE

(Manawatn Standard)

The agitation to have all local bodies in this district declare goatsrue a noxious weed is one that should commend itself to the members, who are in the main farmers, and, therefore, fully conversant with the danger to the farming community if this pest is allowed to spread any further, Already the Woodvillo and Kairanga County Councils have declared goatsrue a noxious weed within the meaning of the Act.

At the present time a portion of the Mouloa estate, which is rich dairying land, is over-run with the weed, causing serious concern to the settlers. It has made its appearance in the Max swamps, where it thrives, and settlers view Us progress with considerable alarm. The Moutoa estate is under the jurisdiction of the Manawatu County Council, and it is interesting to note that this body, at its last meeting, declined to declare the post a noxious weed until such time as the source of the trouble was dealt with.

In this connection it is stated, and Hie knowledge,, appears widely known, that the source of the trouble is in the upper reaches of the Manawatu, near the Gorge. It is alleged that some time ago the Government planted goatsrue on an island near the confluence of the Pohangina and Manawatu rivers as an experiment for fodder. If this is so, the experiment has reacted in an unexpected manner, and to-day hundreds of settlers bemoan its introduction. Every flood, light or serious, since it was planted, has brought down the seeds, which have been borne on the wind to the rich arable lands through which the Manawatu River runs on its way to the sea. And each subsequent year has seen an increase in its growth, until at last the settlers have bestirred themselves to check its ravages.

It is said that giant fescue, which will kill many grasses, has no effect on goatsrue, and so it spreads unchecked.

It is to be hoped that the Manawatu County Council will, at its next meeting, .declare the pest a noxious weed, and the onus will be on proprietors of land under the county’s jurisdiction to clear their farms of so serious a menace.