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    Some factors affecting the establishment and early growth of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) on Manawatu sand country : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Plant Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1974) Morton, Jeffrey Donald
    The thesis reports two experiments carried out during 1973-74 The field experiment studied the establishment and growth up to one year of two varieties of lucerne (Wairau and College Glutinosa) at three spacings (2.02cm., 9.16cm. and 15.22cm. in 15cm. rows) on two soil types (Puke Puke black sand - plain, and Motuiti sand-dune) and an intergrade near Taikorea in the Manawatu sand country. From sowing in April, 1973 to December, 1973 soil moisture tension at 10cm. and 30cm. depth was higher in the Kotuiti sand than in the Puke Puke black sand with the intergrade being intermediate. From December, 1973 to April, 1974 high soil moisture tension at 90cm. remained low for all three soil types for the duration of the experiment. The water table rose from May, 1973 to September, 1973 and fell from September, 1973 to April. 1974. Both soil moisture tension and water table were controlled by rainfall. Wairau had a significantly higher percentage establishment than College Glutinosa in the first 110 days after sowing but these differences were not apparent one year after sowing. Plants spaced at 15.22cm. had a significantly higher percentage establishment than plants spaced at 2.02cm. or 9.l6cm., 110 days after sowing. This difference appeared to be associated with damping-off by pathogenic fungous species. Plants spaced at 15.22cm. and 9.l6cm. had significantly higher nodule dry weights and nodule dry weights per unit plant dry weight than plants spaced at 2.02cm. College Glutinosa plants had significantly higher root weights than Wairau plants. On Motuiti sand, plants had significantly higher nodule dry weights and nodule dry weights per unit plant dry weight than plants on the other two soil types. Lucerne dry matter production was significantly higher at 2.02cm. than at 9.16 or 15.22cm. spacing During January, 1974, dessication of many plants occured and these plants exhibited root damage apparently caused by white fringed weevil (Grapognathous leucoloma Boh.) larvae. Subsequent investigations showed that the number of dessicated plants per unit area was greater in Motuiti sand than in the intergrade than in Puke Puke black sand. A similar trend was observed in the number of white fringed weevil larvae per unit area. A glasshouse experiment was set up to investigate the mortality of lucerne seedlings (Variety: Wairau) from 8 to 14 weeks after sowing in Motuiti sand under two moisture regimes (10% and 20% of dry soil weight) with three populations of white fringed weevil larvae (22, 44 and 88 larvae/m² ). It was shown that there was a significantly greater plant mortality at 10% M.C. than at 20% M.C. Furthermore at 10% M.C., surviving plants in plots with a population of 22 larvae/m² had significantly higher root dry weights than plants in plots with population of 44 and 88 larvae/m² .It was concluded that at high soil moisture tensions, damage by white fringed weevil larvae was more critical to the survival of the lucerne plants.
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    The isolation and characterisation of Caulobacter from Manawatu water systems : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1994) Fenton, Christine Dunnington
    This study reports the isolation of 22 strains of Caulobacter from a variety of local water supplies. Most of the strains (17) were from the sewage treatment plant, while others were isolated from rivers (2), tap water (1) and stored water (2). Conjugative plasmid transfer was demonstrated between a strain of E. coli and a sewage Caulobacter strain. Eckhardt gel analysis and antibiotic sensitivity tests confirmed that the transconjugant Caulobacter carried a plasmid conferring neomycin resistance when compared to the neomycin sensitive parent. Caulobacter isolated from sewage tended to carry more plasmids than freshwater Caulobacter, and showed an increase in resistance to many second generation antibiotics when compared to their freshwater counterparts. Based on the sequence of a 260 bp fragment of 16S rDNA. the identities of the Caulobacter isolates were confirmed. A phylogenetic tree constructed from the sequence data showed that the Caulobacter isolates form a diverse group. Some of the isolates appear to be closely related to marine Caulobacter and were able to grow in media containing 2.5% salt. Other isolates appear to be closely related to Pseudomonas diminuta. A number of new Caulobacter strains were identifed on the basis of their 16S rDNA sequences. The role of Caulobacter in the environment has not been well studied, partly due to the difficulties in detecting their presence. The use of the polymerase chain reaction to amplify the 16S rDNA sequence may help to overcome this problem, bearing in mind the diverse nature of the Caulobacter group.
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    The application of systems analysis to a problem of county amalgamation : the proposed amalgamation of Kairanga, Kiwitea, Manawatu, Oroua and Pohangina counties : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Geography at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1970) Le Heron, Richard Bernard
    Throughout New Zealand County Councils are endeavouring to fulfil various designated functions without imposing an increasing rate burden on their ratepayers. Rising costs of county operation have confronted a number of county councils with prospects of reduced expenditure on development, rate increases, greater efforts to secure more subsidies and reorganisation of county operations so that available money goes further. The last alteration has often taken the form of an amalgamation between counties In the Manawatu area the counties of Kairanga, Kiwitea, Manawatu, Oroua and Pohangina, undertook an investigation of the desirability of amalgamation, An independent investigation was recommended as a suitable thesis topic by Mr P.G.R. Saunders of the Geography Department, Massey University. After a preliminary study of the county investigation it was decided to examine in detail aspects that would not be covered by the counties. only a few studies have so far been carried out on examples of county amalgamation. Those were comparative and descriptive studies that failed to provide factual evidence either for or against amalgamation. It was, therefore, necessary to find an approach that would assist the compilation of analytical evidence about any proposed amalgamation.
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    "Under someone else's roof" : tenants' knowledge and experience of tenancy rights in the Manawatu : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Policy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1997) Bridgland, Caroline
    This thesis examines Manawatu tenants' awareness and knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, as well as tenants' attitudes and experiences of renting within the private residential market. It is based upon the responses of five tenants, four housing workers and two government housing officials to questions asked in semi-structured interviews. The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 has been in force for ten years, but are tenants any the wiser? This is a particularly important question, given changes in housing policies and the state's withdrawal from the direct provision of housing assistance as it looks to the private rental market to pick up the slack. The findings reported in this study indicate: that tenants, in the main, conducted their rental affairs from a position of ignorance; and that those tenants who were uncertain about their rights and obligations were reluctant to seek advice on tenancy matters, or to pursue any formal line of complaint in case they faced eviction. If tenants expect to receive fair and non-discriminatory treatment in their relationship with private landlords, they need at the very least to be aware not only of tenancy law, but their rights and obligations therein. Therefore, the dynamics and tensions that exist between tenants' knowledge of the law and their relationship with private landlords, fee-paying letting agencies and state functionaries, form a central part of this thesis.
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    A plan development process for solid and hazardous waste management in the Manawatu-Wanganui region: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1992) Robson, Bridget
    This thesis uses elements of the strategic and integrated planning process models to develop a planning process for solid and hazardous waste management for use by a New Zealand regional council. The desired plan outcomes are that: solid and hazardous waste are managed in such a way and at such a rate that the effects on the environment are mitigated and remedied and detrimental effects on the environment are minimised. This outcome should be achieved at a cost which is socially and economically sustainable by the regional community. The scope of the regional plan will also be restricted/ defined by the roles and mechanisms available to regional councils in New Zealand. The philosophy for solid and hazardous waste management is dynamic. The information and technology are generally available. However, action to prevent and mitigate the effects of bad waste management practices relies primarily on planned and coordinated behavioural change. Political will is therefore very important. The plan process chosen reflects the clear ends desired by the plan and the uncertainty over the means needed to achieve that end. Another problem discovered in the course of this research was the lack of integration between planning theory and planning practice. This thesis attempts to bridge that gap by using 'everyday' language.