OFFICIALS OPPOSED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 80, 13 March 1931, Page 2

OFFICIALS OPPOSED

i DRIVEN OFF FARM DETERMINED RESISTANCE SYDNEY, March 12. The attempted enforcement at Goonengery, on the north coast, of the tick control regulations furnished an Incident equalling any Wild West movie picture, and as the result the whole district is agog with excitement. The war began when a single tick was found on Sheaffer’a property, and accordingly Wiley’s farm adjoining became subject to treatment as an “adjoining holding.” Wiley refused to have his cattle sprayed, and six officials and a policeman arrived to carry out the work. Wiley mobilised his family and barred the gates of the property. The official in charge seized an axe and chopped down the gate and 15 panels of fencing. From then the war was on in earnest. As fast as the officials rounded up the cattle, the Wiley family dispersed them, and when the officials at last managed to tie up some of the cattle, the Wileys rushed forward,, cut the ropes and kicked over the tins of dip. Wiley eventually succeeded in driving the officials off the premises. The following morning 16 tick officials and two policemen again went into action, but Wiley had not been idle, and the officials were confronted by 50 stalwart farmers, who assisted the Wileys to weather the siege. The tick staff retreated, intending to return next day with strengthened forces. Somebody during last night blew up the official cattle dip. Residents thought an earthquake had occurred.