GOATSRUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2647, 18 October 1923, Page 3

GOATSRUE.

DISCUSSED BY HOROWHENTTA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A discussion as to the County Council’s responsibility in the matter of uoiious weeds on county roads arose at Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, as the result of a letter from the Department of Agriculture drawing atten-. tion to the spread of goatsrue per medium of gravel from the Manawatn river, and asking the Council to instruct its surfacemen to eradicate this weed wherever it, made, its appearance on county roads. Cr. Broadbelt, speaking in favour of the Department’s request, stated that, noxious weeds were spreading to such an extent in the County that all possible means should he taken to check them.

The Chairman (Cr. G. A. Monk) said that the matter opened up a question of policy. If the surfacemen were instructed to grub goatsrue, they should be asked to attend to all noxious weeds. It was clearly stated in the Act that a propertycrwner was responsible f*or all noxious weeds on the roadside outside his fences. If noxious weeds made their appearance it was the duty of the Council to report the matter to the Stock Deparment, when the owner would be served with notice to eradicate the weeds. The trouble with goatsrue arose only where gravel was taken from the Manawatu rivef. This the Council was not doing, so that he did not see that the matter really concerned then!.

Cr. Catley spoke in favour of action bv the Council in.respect of the spread of noxious weeds. These were spreading, and the Council should take definite steps in the matter.

Cr. Darkness said that it was a matter of principle. The Council could not make itself responsible for all noxious weeds on county roads. He admitted that there was often difficulty in getting the Stock Department to move, in these matters but. this was the County’s recourse. Cr. Catley said that the County should take a lead iu keeping down noxious weeds. In many cases the roadside was covered with blackberry, and the County would have more moral right to force owners to clear their own land if the County roads, were first cleared. After further discussion it was moved by Cr. Harkness that the Department be written to the eJfect that if the Council took gravel from the Manawatu River and goatsrue made its appearance, this would be dealt with. . I'fiis was carried.