NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2737, 16 February 1910, Page 2

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

CONVICTION FOR FAILING TO ERADICATE.

Win. Ross, Inspector of Noxious 'Woods, yesterday morning, before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., proceeded against Geoffrey St. Emery Mac Lean, manager of Te-Hau-o-te-atua Station, (Mr, Stock) for failing to take all necessary steps in the proper season, to clear the noxious weeds (Californian thistle and sweet briar) from the station property. Win. Ross, Inspector of Noxious Weeds, deposed that on the 2f3th August last, lie visited the property in quetion, on the Ivanakania side and came across a patch, about half an acre, of Californian thistle, which had boon allowed to seed. On September 29, he saw another patch about the same area, on another part of the. property. This also had been allowed to seed the previous season. "Witness called on defendant and. spoke to him about neglecting to clear the weeds the previous season. Defendant said the work had been left to Maoris, and, they must, have been careless. He also mentioned that he had had trouble with the thistles along the river bed. On 15th October witness sent defendant notice to clear Californian thistle and sweetbriar, ancl later lie sent him a note stating that he trusted that defendant would not allow the thistles to seed this year. On 21st January witness visited the patch before referred ro, on the Ivanakania side, and it was in full flower, and some of the buds opening. He also saw another large area near the river. This patch was partly cut, and a very old Maori was working at it. Witness saw other patches on the river flats* and in the river silt. These were also in flower. Ho saw eleven patches in all. One was cut and another nearly all cut. Witness then saw defendant and told him •of the facts. Defendant answered that men were scarce and that, it took him all. his time to get shearers. Witness advised him to get six men at once. Defendant said lie had expected Mi - . Long to come no to treat the thistles, but had''been disa*-minted. Witness only saw bunches of sweetbriar here and there, and these had not been cut. Mr. Ross asked that- a conviction should bo recorded, as defendant had been previously warned. Some of the farmers were doing their best to keep down the weeds, but others were not,, and he did not think it was fair to those who were eradicating the trouble. Geoffrey McLean, defendant, stated’ that he had let a contract to have the thistle eradicated, not onlv as the result of Mr. Ross’ warning, but as the danger was recognised. ‘IIo had arranged with Mr. Lpng to come and treat the thistle, but he did not turn up. Witness then engaged a trustworthy native, with three others, at a shilling an hour, to cut the thistle, between November and January. The three men left ancl went shearing. "V\ itness turned all the shearers to work cutting thistle when the x weather was wet. He was unable to get the labor necessary at the proper time. Since the inspector saw him witness had put on six men, ancl the work was all done now. Since Ala- 5 witness had expended £95 16s to eradicate the thistle, and there was still money owing. "Witness had tried to get labor outside the district.

His Worship thought it was very necessary that the law in reference vo noxious weeds should be enforced, otherwise the country would soon be overrun. There was certainly some difficulty in this case, .but defendant had been warned the year previous. The maximum penalty Avas £2O. but a fine of £5 Avas inflicted, Avith 17s costs.