PREFERS GAOL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 90, 31 March 1932, Page 10

PREFERS GAOL

FARMER RESENTS “TICK” LAW SERVES SENTENCE INSTEAD OP FINES. STIR ON N.S.W. COAST. Sydney, March 24. Because he said he would rather go to gaol instead of paying lines imposed for breaches of tick regulations, a North Coast (N.S.W.) farmer entered Grafton gaol yesterday to serve a 63days’ sentence. His decision is the sequel to a series of happenings which are unique. The farmer is Samuel Wiley, of Goonengerry, near Mullimbimby, and fines for breaches of the regulations totalled £5O. Some months ago Government officials charged with the policing of the tick prevention regulations visited Wiley’s farm and endeavoured to examine his cattle. Wiley resented their investigations, however, and sensational incidents followed. The farmer and his family, supported by several neighbours, turned their property into a miniature fortress, and armed with rifles and shot-guns, declared they would defend their homo to the last man and the last bullet. The situation at one stage became alarming, resembling the, feuds of the Kentucky “moonshiners” with the revenue officers. Matters cooled down considerably and court actions were instituted against Wiley. Ho was fined heavily for his offences, and although declaring that ho would not pay the fines, ho was given time to satisfy the judgments. This week, however, after repeated attempts to collect the money, and Wiley’s set determination to go to gaol rather than pay the fines, another act in the drama was enacted when the farmer walked through the gates of Grafton gaol. He will be treated as an ordinary offender, and will have to serve his full sentence with hard labour. His action has aroused a sympathetic following in the district.