CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2145, 29 June 1920, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The monthly meeting of the oil of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night, the President (Mr -I. M. Barr) occupying the chaiV. GOATSRUK. In connection with the steps taken by the Chamber to have goatsrue declared a noxious weed in the Manawatu County, and the application to the Department to have instructions issued to their ollieers to see that I lie provisions of the Act arc carried out in the areas in which this plant had been declared a noxious weed, the following reply received from the lion. W. Nosworthy, .Minister for Agriculture, to. the representations made on behalf of the Chamber was forwarded by Mr H. Newman, M.P. “Willi reference to your letter of Ihe 12th instant, addressed to the • lion. U. 11. Guthrie, enclosing a

newspaper cutting regarding goatsruc. 1 beg to inform you that in 10-' ralilics where the local bodies concerned have declared this plant to be a noxious weed the ollieers ot this

Department are taking measures to have it cleared from affected properties. Practically the whole of the Crown and waste riverbed lands in the .Manawalu district, for which no private individual could he held responsible, have been cleared by this Department, and settlers generally have done good work. Where necessary, defaulting owners have been given final warning to comply with the Noxious W’eeds Ac!.’’

It was pointed out by members that the* Woodvillc , Kairanga and f-lorowhemta Counties had declared goatsrne a noxious wood, hut the; .Manawatu County Counoil, although repeatedly approached, had declined to do so. Their first excuse was that until the plant was declared a noxious weed in the area above the Manawatu Gorge it was unfair lor them to take any action, and when informed that the Woodvillc Comity had declared I lie plant a noxious weed in 11)11) tlie Manawatu County Council then “side-stepped." and replied that in the opinion of Councillors the best method of dealing' with the pest was by the cutting of an overflow channel for the Manawatu Giver, so that the increased current gained thereby would carry the seeds of the plant out to sea, instead of depositing them along the banks of the river, as at present. Members were unanimously of opinion that some steps should be taken to combat this evil, which was menacing thousands of acres of first-class land, and a motion was carried, to be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture, through Mr Newman, M.P., urging that in eases where a local body refused to declare a plant a noxious weed which it was proved was a menace io the land, that power should he taken by the Department: to over-ride the decision of the local body, and set tho provisions of the Noxious Meeds Act in motion, with a view to eradi-

eating the weed. SAND DRIFT

The Chamber recently approached the Lands Department, through Mr Newman. M.P...urging that some steps should he taken to deal with the sand drift menace along the West Coast, between Paekakariki and Waitolara. and last night a letter to Mr Newman from the Minister for Lands was rend. In this the Minister staled that some years ago, when seventeen pastoral runs comprising about 23.550 acres were relet for a further term of 21 years, the leases provided for the lessees being paid certain rales for planting of areas in marram, lupin, and forest trees, and for a reduction in rent of areas successfully planted. So far as the Minister was aware, the lessees had not: taken advantage In any marked decree of the terms offered. Further than this the Department could not assist at the present time in reclaiming' the sand drift areas referred to. It was deidded to communicate with the Manawatu County Council, reipiesting I Item to have the provisions of Ihe Land Drift Act, 100 S, enforced in the County. REMOVAL OF KLBBISII.

The president, brought up the (pieslion of flic necessity for some scheme for the removal of rubbish from the back yards of business premises and private residences in the Borough. In the interests of the health,of the community something should be done, and he considered the municipality should undertake this work.

It was pointed out that some little lime ago a similar scheme was eon-

shlered by the Council, and those willing to take advantage of same, and have rubbish removed every week, at a cost of sixpence per week, were asked to advise the Town Clerk. Only one resident signified ids willingness to take advantage of same. It was considered that to be successful such removal would have to be compulsory. It was decided to recommend the Borough Council to take into serious consideration the question of providing a garbage cart and arrangements for the removal of rubbish.