ASSAULTING TRAMWAY INSPECTOR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 33, 7 August 1914, Page 2

ASSAULTING TRAMWAY INSPECTOR

TWO MEN IN COURT. Two young men named Edward Reginald Toms and Alfred Chapman, were charged in the Magistrate's Court today with assaulting • Alfred Dowding, tramway' inspector, on 9th July last, and making use of obscene language, when requested to pay their fares, after getting off the car near Austin-street. The inspector stated that the last car to Miramar was packed at Courtenay-placo, but as the accused stated that they wanted to go to Miramar, he allowed them to go on in front of the car. As the car was going up Pirie-street. beyond Austin-street, they got oil", and witness followed them. When he asked them for their fare they abused him ; Chapman* made use of obscene language, and Struck him on tho chin. Toms gave his name when requested, but Chapman refused to do so. Henry James Bulford, residing in the locality, confirmed the inspector's statement, as did also William Graham and Francis 'W. Sanders, tramway conductors, and Stephen .Fuller and Arthur Readle, motormen. The accused gave evidence in their own behalf. Toms stated that he had not been asked to pay his fare till he got off the can but lifter some altercation ho paid their fares to the inspector. He denied making use of obscene language, and did not hear Chapman make use of obscene language. The inspector challenged Chapman to fight there and then, but there, was no tight. Ho did riot see Chapman strike the inspector. He and Chapman were both sobei. Alfred Chapman corroborated Toms' s statement, and denied the charge of obscene language preferred .against them. Had offered to pay, the fares if they got their tickets, and they waited twenty minutes for the tickets. Mr. Cooper, S.M., told Chapman that his conduct had been disgraceful. It was perfectly obvious from the evidence that he had committed the assault on the inspector, and that he had got into the box ana committed wilful perjury. Even Toms, who had behaved decently, had, in his Worship's opinion, sworn falsely, and if it had not been for that he would probably have got off altogether. Chapman Would 'be fined £1 for the assault, £3 for making use; of obscene language and £1 7s 6dl costs, in default orto month's imprisonment. Toms, against whom the charge of assault was withdrawn, would be fined JSI for the language he had made use ot, and £1 ?s 6d costs, in default soveii days' imprisonment.