NOXIOUS WEEDS. PROSECUTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8083, 12 April 1906, Page 3

NOXIOUS WEEDS. PROSECUTIONS.

At the S.M. Court, Now Plymouth, on Wednesday, a number of land owners were prosecuted for failing to clear their land of noxious weeds. Heslop Barnett ■ was charged ia respect to two sections on tlio Junction road, on separate informations respecting blackberry and rag Worth. Defendant had only been in occupation since January. Evidence was given by D. Alexander, on behalf of the Chairman of the Waiwakaiho Road' Board, to the effect that the neglect of one farm was a serious thing for the neighbors, as the seed was carried by the wind and birds.

Inspector Blundell said the Department was taking action because the weeds were allowed to seed. The farraors who tried to keep their land clear must bo protected. The Magistrate said the prosecutions were in the interests of the settlers ard the Act must be enforced The Department, so far as his experience wer 1, did not want to be viudictive, and|ii the present case ho woald give the Jefondant a month to attend to the work to the Inspector's satisfaction. He took into consideration the fact that tho defendant had ouly been in occupation since January, but of course that did not relieve him of responsibility. If the defendant had not done the work satisfactorily at the end of the month he would be lined a substantial pena'ty. Henry Osborne and William Ernest Skelton (Smart Boad) I'. A. Pippin:;illo and Andrew S. Marett (Veale Road) and John Eaven were each fined £2 and costs on similar informations. Alfred Drake (Smart Eoad) pleaded guilty to allowing gorse and blackberry to grow on his property, and complained that he could not get workmen. A fine of £1 for gorse and £2 on account of the blackberry was inflicted, with costs