UNPAID FARES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20414, 8 December 1931, Page 8

UNPAID FARES.

TRAMWAY BOARD'S * DECISION. ' / MANY CASES IN CHRISTCHURCH. Declining to support any additional leniency to people who travel on the Christchurcli. trams -without paying their fares, the Tramway Board decided yesterday against a motion that all cases of such indebtedness shoiild go before the Works and Traffic Committee before being placed in the hands of the Board's solicitors, it being explained that ample time was given to malic payment or an explanation. "The number of people who travel witliQut paying' their fares is remarkable," said the chairman, Mr E. H. Andrews. "There were 85 individual cases in two months." Mrs E. E. McCombs: I suppose a lot of them thought they had a right to travel free to work at Cashmere. The chairman: No, all lines are concerned, and there are 13 counts against one man. "Fares or Fines?" Mr W. J. Walter: Surely these eases go before the Works and Traffic Committee before being sent to the solicitors? Each should be taken on its merits. If a man could not pay 2d or 3d for a tram fare, liow could ho pay a fino of 10s and costs? 1 move that these cases should be dealt with by the committee before being sent to the solicitors. Mrs McCombs seconded the motion, stating that she was not surprised at the number, as some people had to walk from New Brighton to the City and carry their groceries back with them. Mr W. Williamson: A certain class of person is trading on this unemployment business, and I hope that the matter will not bo taken too seriously. A few years ago nothing was thought of walking four or five miles to work. Method of Collection. Explaining the Bystem adopted, Mr H. E. Jarman, Acting-General Manager, said that the Board waited a fortnight before taking action. A memo, was sent to the delinquent, a charge of Is being added for the cost of collection. In one case a man had been given two months in which to pay or make an explanation. MrHayward: You would probably find plenty of cigarettes and matches in the pockets of some of these' people who aro supposed to be too poor to pay their tram fares. If a man went to the manager I am sure his case would be considered. The motion was lost.