DEMICHELLI'S DUMPING.

NZ Truth, Issue 70, 20 October 1906, Page 8

DEMICHELLI'S DUMPING.

Ructions on the Railway Station.

A disease with which some people are periodically afflicted, and which doesn't altogether call for the services of a doctor, is to want to board a train while wholly or partially intoxicated. It is a case of blind stag-, gers, and the platform is often too small to allow those suffering from it to execute their vagaries m anything like proper style. People of this sort get on the nerves of the railway men, and they have to be continually on the look out m order to prevent an inquest. At Christchurch when the night trains are leaving for Lyttelton, and especially on Saturday nights, individuals whose wits are concealed behind a large quantity of beer, or other enervating and; elevating moistures, are a veritable nuisance, and if they are, troublesome they aren't permitted to travel home at all. A smooth-faced chap named Ernest Demichelli struck the rock that warns one to keep m the safe track of sobriety, on a night recently, and . had lo pay the piper, or, at least, the police court instrumentalist, m consequence. He had entered the station half squiffy, intending to book himself; as luggage or general cargo, or something, for Lyttelton, and as he didn't look a fit subject to trust m his own company the storeman ordered him off the platform. He refused to go, and when the nightwatchman came along he wanted to fight him. Then he broke a window valued at a few bob. There was more remonstrance, and the would-be passenger used most abusive language, casting a reflection on the parentage of pne of those present. Then Foreman Dunn happened along, and rushed him into his office, and told him that he would have to pay for the glass. On one of the other officials entering the room, Demichelli biffed him m the face, they closed, and' rolled on the floor. The pair were separated, and a policeman was sent for. Then the man sobered up a bit, and they let him go. But a couple of police court charges awaited him as night awaits the coming of dawn, and he pleaded not guilty to breaking the glass and "language." In defence he said that he certainly had a few liquors aboard when he entered the platform, and then he proceeded to observe that he had had an argument with the night watchman once before, and that the latter had threatened to "have it m for him." He wouldn't let him go to Lyttelton, and wheji the two men got hold of him they "crashed against the window and broke it ; he was shoved through it. The present case was ; brought ' out of spite. This little yarn didn't carry an atom . of conviction with it, ?nd the frolic cost him £2 17s m all. As defendant said he was cooking for the navals' 1 camp, and wouldn't have a bean until he got his gonce, he was allowed three weeks m which to meet his liability. Far too many drinky people travel ..by trains, and they give other passengers a creepy feeling when they want to open the door m order to stand m the cool air on the platform. Demichelli mustn't load himself below the Plimsoll mark m future..