THE RAGWORT MENACE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 389, 25 November 1932, Page 4

THE RAGWORT MENACE

| It is encouraging to learn that ! the Rotorua County Council has decided to make definite representations to the Government with regard to the eradication . of ragwort in this part of the Dominion. The "Morning Post" has previously pointed out that national action is necessary to combat the damage caused by the tmchecked spread of this dangerous weed, and it is to be hoped, most devoutly, that the Government will respond willingly and effectively to the call made for assistance. There is no douht, whatever, that a comprehensive policy of eradication must be adopted to avert disastrous consequences. The pest has obtained such a hold upon the country that it is idle to look for effective action from private individuals. Apart from the financial aspect, there are too many complications. Government and native interests are too closelj'" involved to make reliance upon the existing law advisable. The county council, realising these facts, in conference with representatives of the Agricultural and Public Works Departments, made definite proposals to the Miriister for Agriculture which should command immediate and sympathetic attention. Although the principles underlying the representations apply to the whole of the Dominion, the county council has conhned its requests to operations in this district and, as a first condition, suggests the establishment of unemployed camps for the clearing of ragwort from Crown lands. A vote of £500 is asked for to eover the cost of camps, transport and tools. The necessity for clearing the lands contrblled by the Native Affairs and Railway Departments is also stressed, and the attention of the State Forestry Department is to he drawn to the growth of the weed upon . fire belts. The importance of these proposals can be readily apprSciated by those who have come into direct contract with the , spread of ragwort. Unless these jresponsible administrative sec- ! tions of the Government recognise their responsibilities and j do their share in the task ahead, I it is worse than useless to call 1 upon private individuals to fulfil their obligations. The recomjmendation that the Lands De- , partment use sodium chlorate jor some approved substitute to j clean up and recondition ahandoned farms is also highly valuable, as country which is slipping back is a grave menace to adjacent holdings. Obviously it is only the Lands Department which can he called upon to deal with this class of land. So far as the occupied lands in the Rotorua county are concerned the council is prepared to take action, but in cases of financial hardship it has been wisely decided to ask for Government assistance. The council has demonstrated its willingness to make its policy effective by putting on 300 men immediately and it now remains to be seen what attitude the Minister wiil adopt. While it is to be hoped that loeal representatioris receive prompt and favourable consideration it is necessary again to emphasise that. the work ahead is not for j any particular district or department. It is a national job, and if the recomihendations niade from Rotorua are corisidered possibie of effective ^applicatibn, they should be adopted without delay for the whole of New Zealand. s "O; OTORUA'S Premier New Year Attrac-

ment are Purchase of Sheep * A large purchase was made at tlfe recent Hamilton Show by a, Rotorul!a firm, Messrs. G. W. Vaughan an(l Cd* when the hulk of the sheep on shov?\ was secured and railed to Rotorua. The sheep are considered to he the pick of those produced in the province. . Found Asleep A man who had been found by a constable in a drunken condition and asleep in Fenton Street on Wednesday evening, was yesterday morning convicted and discharged as a first. offender by Mr. W. L. Richards; J.P.r at the Rotorua Magistrate's Court. City Cricket Team The City cricket team to play Ngongotaha at the Government grounds to-morrow commencing at 2 p.m. has been selected as follows. Davis, Godsalve, Harding, Mason, Bowden, Mulligan, Reed, Lockie, Alexander; Hewson, Simmonds and McPherson. Unfortunate Fishing Trip An unenviable experience f ell to the lot of a party of well-known Rotorua residents who set out by launeh on a fishing trip on Lake Rotorua last Sunday. All went well until late in th.e day when it was found that the engine of the launch refused to function satis-factoi-ily and little progress on the return trip could be made. After considerahle delay, helped by the drift, Mokoia Island was reached and as darkness had approached it was de- | cided to land on the island. As re- i pairs could not be effected to the engine, the party were obliged to camp overnight on the island and next morning suflicient response was obtained from the engine to enahle the launch to make a slow stern first passage back to town. The party had been absent for nearly 27 hours. - Carnival at Taupo. Preparations are being steadily advanced for the lake carnival which is to be held at Taupo on January 2. An energetic committee is prosecuting arrangements and the completed programme promises to offer something entirely novel to the holiday public. A numb'er of valuable trophies have already been devoted for speed-boat and other events* Artillery Camp An advance party of 22 memhers of the 20th' New Zealand Garrison Artillery, which will be encamped at Arawa Park uptil Saturday, December 3, arriv.ed from Auckland yesterday. To-morrow afternoon the remainder of the unit will arrive, hringing the total numher in camp to approximately 100 officers and men. During the latter part of next week, firing practice will be held and an inspection probably made. The camp is under the command of Colonel H. E. Avery, C.M.G., D.S.O., with Captain C. S. J. Duff is adjutant. Regulation Necessary. The increasing number of motor cars which are being left unattended in the Rotoima town area and outside hotels overnight points to the necessity, particularly in view of the approaching busy tourist season, of some regulation or by-law being adopted by the Borough Council to prohibit the practice. Most of these cars are left -without parking lights of any deseriptiofi and are a menace to other legitimate traffic. The town has ample garage accommodation and visitors should be encouraged to utilise the facilities provided. Children' s Court. Two small Maori boys who admitted breaking into an unoccupied fishing cottage at Tokaanu and stealing a variety of assorted articles, made their appearance in the Taupo Children's Court yesterday. It was reported by the Child Welfare authorities that there appeared to be lack of parental controi in the case of the older lad and the Magistrate (Mr. S. L. Paterson S.M.) accordingly decided to place him under the care of the child welfare officers in Hamilton. The relatives of the younger boy were reprimanded and instructed to keep him under closer controi. Restitution of the value of the articles stolen was orderedLADIES: You should inspect our smart tan shoes.. This Ixne at 12/6 a pair represents the best value offering in Rotorua to-day. The quality is excellent and the models are very natty in eithercourt or strap design. You' cah depend on satisf action at Malcolm's. The leading boot and shoe store, Tutanekai Street, ne'ar station.* , Spring time is tofiic time. ' Fisher's