Rats in Hobart

In 1956, Hobart was overrun with rats.

This letter, printed in the Gazette of May 17, 1956, took a humorous approach to the problem.


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But the rats proved to be man-eaters:


Hobart Gazette, 14 June 1956.
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Local citizens were already organizing to fight back, as the Lion's Club announced "D-Day On Rats":


Hobart Gazette, 14 June 1956.
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The June 21 issue of the Gazette not only gave the date and other details for rat D-Day, but also, in another article, offered an explanation for the infestation:


Hobart Gazette, 14 June 1956.
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As you may know, the city dump mentioned in the article was at the northern end of downtown, approximately where the soccer field is now.

"D-Day On Rats" didn't completely solve the problem, and the Rotarians vowed to fight on:


Hobart Gazette, 12 July 1956.
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