TRAMWAY TICKETS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13904, 1 December 1910, Page 4

TRAMWAY TICKETS.

fDEMAND FOR PRODUCTION. An interesting case came before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Andrew Hamilton, who did not appear, was charged with committing a breach of the Christcburch Tramway Board's by-laws by refusing to produce his ticket for inspection by a conductor when requested so to , do. The offence was alleged to have been committed on a tram from the Show Grounds on the 'afternoon of November 11th. An inspector, named Charles Francis stated that it was reported to him by the conductor that Hamilton would not produce a ticket or pay a fare. Witness saw the man, who persisted in his refusal. Hamilton threatened to throw him out of tho Avindow, and also invited him to betake himself to the bottoinleee pit. Mr Bishop read a long communication, which had been addressed to the Clerk of i.the Court by Hamilton. In this the defendant stated that he was engaged in shearing, and could not attend the Court. He said that on the car he could not at once find the ticket, and the conductor demanded sixpence. When he did find it, the conductor refused to look at it. He produced the ticket to a constable at the end of the journey. Ho complained that he had, on a recent occasion, given his assistance to thp Tramway employees to got their trams back on to the lines, and it was rather hard that he should now be jmrsccnted. Mr Bishop said that he doubted very much whether the non-production of a ticket would be an offence, provided that the ticket was produced while the holder was on the car. That was what he would hold, no matter what the bylaw said. If the ticket were wilfully withheld," lie should convict. He had seen himself that there wae not much consideration shown for a nervous or excitable passenger when he or she could not produce his or her ticket at once. Some of the men were overbearing towards such people. Mr Bishop quoted the by-law, which said that the ticket must be produced in an open and uncrumpled condition. That, he said, was absurd, and would bo upheld by no Court. The conductor also gave evidence. The defendant could T not find his ticket, and witness informed'him that he would have to pay a fare. Hamilton replied that he would sec him in Hades first. Witness jjave him eeveral chances, and collected all the fares on the car beiore again approaching Hamilton. The Magistrate said that he wae satisfied that the defendant had wilfully refused to produce his ticket. £>uch people would get no consideration from him. A fine of 20s and costs was imposed.