WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 884, 7 May 1903, Page 3

WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL.

NOXIOUS WEEDS. Nt tho last meeting of the Wuiapu County Council the Engineer in his report drew the attention of the Council to tho rapid manner in which Bathust burr and Californian thistlo wore spreading in the County. Cr L. S. Williams thought it was useless for tho Council to take steps to destroy tho weed when settlors did not think it worth their while to do so. Cr A. B. Williams said that they did not know enough about tho nature of tho weed, and he thought it would ho better to lot the matter stand over to tho next mooting in order that Councillors might obtain more information about tho weed, and tho best means of destroying it.

After further discussion tho matter was deferrod to tho next meeting. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE. Tho Engineer said that tho Californian thistle was not being destroyed on Nativo laud in tho Kuwakawa district. Cr Hiudmarsh thought they should send the Maoris notice in their own language to tho effect that the Council wanted the weed eradicated.

Cr Knox said that ho had been troubled with the weed for years, and he thought that runholders should bo compelled to keep it down. Tho Chairman stated that they were all troubled' with the sumo thing, and that they woro doing their best to keep tho thistle down.

Cr A. B. Williams said that tho weed was very hard to keep down, and the host plan he thought to compote with its rapid growth was to cut.thom a couple of times a week und put salt on them. A large quantity of salt could be bought for £SO, but that was not the most expensive part. It was when a man had to be employed to do nothing else but attoud to the weed. Another good plan was to salt a hide and leave it in the vicinity of tho patch so as to entico cattle about in order that they might eat it down. He thought it would bo advisable to arouse some enthusiasm amongst tho Natives to endeavor to destroy tho wood. Tho Chairman proposed, and Cr Henderson seconded, that tho engineor (Mr O’Ryan) on his first visit to that place endeavor to work up some interest amongst tho natives to do away with the Californian thistle, and failing to do so that steps bo taken to compel them.