ATTACK ON BIDIBIDI

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 11, 16 March 1938, Page 3

ATTACK ON BIDIBIDI

SAW-FLY LIBERATIONS GISBORNE ARRANGEMENTS w. v'■ , v ' ‘ " ■' , '■, > Liberations of the Chilean saw-fly are to. be made in tho Gisborne district during tho autumn lor the attack on biclibidi. A statement to this effect was made in the annual report of the Poverty Bay juid East Coast Sheepowners’ Union in reviewing what has been done in the control of noxious weeds ,by their natural enemies. “For some years,” the report states, “requests have been made for investigation into the variegated thistle’ pest. It was found: that the Cawthron Institute had no funds available. A subscription was opened and farmers interested .found £3OO. This is sufficient for a preliminary investigation, whicli will be carried out at the proper time from England. “A further sum of £230 was raised to secure supplies of the natural enemy of the piripiri, the Chilean sawfly. These will come to hand during the autumn and liberation will be made in selected localities this winter. A visit was made by Dr. Miller, directof the Cawthron Institute and some very interesting lectures from him were much appreciated in Gisborne and in Ruatoria.

“Ragwort lias not boon overlooked but special local effort has not been required in this regard.” The entire shipment of the. Chilean saw-fly will he liberated in the Gisborne district, as a result of subscriptions totalling £230 raised for the purpose, according to the ” latest advice. A statement to this effect was made by Mr. C. H. 'Williams, president of Povorly Bay and East Ooast Slioepowners’ Union, at the. annua! meeting of the union last Saturday.