COCKSFOOT ON RAILWAYS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9370, 12 February 1909, Page 4

COCKSFOOT ON RAILWAYS.

EXPLANATION BY MINISTER.

A letter appeared recently in our columns complaining that settlera'on the Main Trunk Line had been deprived of the right on payment of a small sum to cat cocksfoot on the Railway. The matter was broughtto the notice of Mr B. Newman, M.P., who communicated with the Minister on the subject. The Minister’s reply, which is published below, seems to dispose satisfactorily of the allegation, that settlers have been?, unfairly treated in the matter. Mr Millar wrote as follows :

Sir, —With reference to your telegram of date in respect to the withholding of permission to settlers -toout cocksfoot for seed on the Railway line, I have the honour to informyou that the Department for some; years past regnlarly let the right. It was unfortunately found by experience that persons to whom the rightto cut the grass was granted did not exercise ordinary care, with theresult that the Railway Department annually incurred a considerable amount of expenditure in eradicating grass that bad grown, op from the seed spilt by the cutters when crossing and reorossing the railway lines. The revenue derived from the right was small and as those concerned did not comply with the conditions laid down, the Depertment was ultimately compelled in its own interests to decline to allow the right to out grass. In addition to the trouble caused by the spilling of seed, the leaving of the dead grass stalks alongside the railway line was a source of danger from fire.. One of the conditions under which the rights were let was that stalks should be removed from the railway premises, but this was not complied with aud the Railway Department’s men in very many instances had to be taken from their legitimate work to clear up the debris.

I regret that in these circumstances I cannot see my way to authorise the continuance of the former practice of letting the right to cut grass for seed purposes.—l have the honour to he, sir, your obedient servant, J., A. MILLAR, Minister for Railways.