"TRUTH'S " PILLORY.

NZ Truth, Issue 137, 1 February 1908, Page 4

"TRUTH'S " PILLORY.

NOXIOUS PESTS.

Gorse, according to Act of Parliament, is a noxious week, and those who neglect to clear their property of tliis pest are liable to pros--ecution. "Truth" therefore rises to ask with becoming respect, how it is that tho Government officials responsible for the administration of that very necessary Act do not take the City Council into Court and prosecute it With the utmost rigor of the "Lor" for allowing gorse and broom to disfigure and render null for all purposes of practicability the town belt. The town belt is the property of the citizens and the Council the custodians thereof. The property is yearly increasing m value, yearly the leasing fees double, but what just at present is the state of affairs ? For grazing purposes for which leases are granted, the town belt is worthless, because it is ruined by the 1 noxious pests. There are /few green grassy spots on the hills where the citizen can roam or horses graze, and they are to be found only m the vicinity [of the College, the Hospital and Mt. View Asylum. It is damnable that the City Council, as custodians of the citizens' property, should be so crimfinaldn' their negligence, and it is to be trusted that these remarks will have the same effect as a previous article on the same matter had. The clearing of gorse and broom would find employment for many men, and m addition to making the belt good grazing ground, the hills would lend themisslves for healthy exercise strolls for the people, but this is impossible just now. Moreover, gorse,' as past and pairiltri experience proves, is liable to be easily fired, and Superintendent Hugo, of the Fire Brigade,- will no doubt bear testimony that gorse iires on the town belt are a perfect nuisance to him. Now, the City Council might wake up. If it -doesn't, then the Mayor should be prosecuted for allowing the pest to spread. A shameful fact this is to make public, but it shows what bright administration exists m the Town Hall.