THE FOXGLOVE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10582, 13 March 1912, Page 5

THE FOXGLOVE

SCHEDULED A NOXIOUS WEED. Af a special meeting of the Masterton County Council yesterday, thlS Chairman (Or \V. J. "Welch) .moved, -in accordance with notice given, that the weed known as foxglove (digitalis puerpera) he scheduled a i]oxip\i§ weed within the meaning of t[i§ -Noxiou§ Weeds Act. II! hioving tlie,resolution, the chain man stated, tljat"foxglove fras one of the worst forms of noxious weed they had got. It had only made its appearance in the 'County in. recent years, hut unless they took immediate action it would spread throughout the district. He had been informed that hy making Hie a noxious weed they would he spelling ruin to certain settlers. He would 'be sorry. indeed to ruin any settler, but the fact that (the weed had such a hold upon certain lands showed the importance of preventing its spread. He had been informed 'by the officers of the Stock Department that settlers would not he compelled to. eradicate the weed at once. A little would have to be done at a time. Or Cameron, in seconding the resolution, stated that steps were necessary to protect the County against the spread of the weed. ' j Cr Miller asked if a lessee or an owner of the land would be responsible for the eradication of the weed. The Clerk replied that the occupier was responsible. Cr Miller stated that he had received a letter from a Miki Miki settle!*, stating .that if 'he was liable for the eradication of the weed 'it would spell ruin to him. Personally, he (Cr Miller) thought they sliould do their. best'to clear'the district of the weed.) Or Murray pointed out the damage 1 that would be done iby allowing the weed to spread. He had been informed that in some cases-the foxglove did not spread. The Clerk read the section of' the Act dealing with the subject of tihe eradication of noxiious weeds. This showed that an owner could appeal to the Minister for relief in case of hardship. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.