OVERWORKED?

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 4

OVERWORKED?

COUNTY INSPECTOR ASSISTANCE REQUESTED RAGWORT CONTROL PROBLEM ‘‘lt appears that the inspector is overworked. Does ihe council intend to do anything about :he position?’’ inquired Mr G. H. Waiters at a meeting of the Waikato County Council yesterday when the report of the inspector, Mr G. G. Winter, was received. Mr J. A. Sampson, chairman, informed the council that the matter was being investigated and a report would be tabled at the next meeting. In his report Mr Winter drew attention to the increasing problem of ragwort control. “Owing to the state of Ihe weather and the under-stocking through the losses sustained by facial eczema of several properties, areas that were apparently satisfactorily dealt with earlier in the season have produced another crop of ragwort, necessitating further treatment.” said Mr Winter. “This meant additional work to our already heavy programme and made it difficult to deal with it all. keeping within our grant of funds from the Government and in sufficient time to prevent seeding taking place. An extra grant of £l5O was secured, sufficient for one week’s work, but a still further week’s work has been carried out, the cost of which will be met by funds recoverable from pro-perty-owners who have had assistance. “It has been impossible for me to cope with all this work satisfactorily and give the individual inspection to the numerous properties affected necessary to get the desired results,” added Mr Winter, “ owing to the fact that my time has to be divided among four different duties (traffic, noxious weeds, paymaster and overseer). Even though I work long hours I am unable to achieve the standard of efficiency that the various tasks require. I therefore suggest that some provision for additional assistance be given me. chiefly in dealing with the inspection of properties for noxious weeds. “Complaints have been received that there has been insufficient enforcement of the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act in our county, and from the above facts it is obvious why more has not been done, especially in the northern riding of the county, where blackberry is the principal menace. “Several occupiers of properties are not treating the ragwort menace with sufficient seriousness and have let the plants reach the stage of maturity, even to the point of seeding. Even though I have endeavoured to educate them to the necessity of frequently inspecting their properties and dealing with the ragwort in its early stages, I am not getting Ihe eo-opera-tion I should, and now find it necessary to take proceedings where the neglect is continued.”