Noxious Weed Menace Growing

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 3

Noxious Weed Menace Growing

SPREAD OF GORSE ON MANAWATU COUNTY ROADS. TIME FOR DRASTIC ACTION. That drastic action was necessary to check tho spread of gorse on Mauawatu County roads, was the observation made by Cr. W. E. Barber (chairman) at yesterday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council. Approaching the subject the chairman said that in travelling round the country he had been impressed by ttie spread of noxious weeds and was influenced to the extent of calling for some action, otherwise the position would get. but of control. He went on to state that the council was responsible for the control of noxious weeds and while some ratepayers had acted in obedience to the instructions of the council others had adopted an attitude of almost studied indifference. The menace was steadily increasing and unless the council was prepared to make a stand the position would quickly become hopeless. In some instances, stated Cr. Barber, gorse had encroached on to the road sides to such an extent that passing traffic was being interfered with. Such a position could not be allowed to con tinue otherwise the roads would become impassable. The council should now define itself clearly by a declaration that it was going to take definite steps to control the menace of noxious weeds.

The problem would not become any easier if further neglected, observed Cr. R. Wilson, who favoured definite action which would benefit everyone interested. It was up to the council to act without. delay, said the chairman, and he realised that it would probably call for force to win tho obedience of some ratepayers. The council, however, was faced with the obligation of doing its duty.

In the general discussion which followed several councillors instanced cases where gorse had almost closed certain byroads, while various other noxious weeds were spreading throughout the country at an alarming rate. The onus was on the council to see that property owners cleared the land bo tween their properties and the road. It was unanimously agreed to circularise all ratepayers concerned ordering them to take steps to grub out all noxious weed growth on tho road frontage of their properties.