CONDUCTOR & PASSENGER

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 151, 23 December 1921, Page 17

CONDUCTOR & PASSENGER

INCIDENT ON A TRAMCAR.

Trouble between a tram conduotor and a passenger was ventilated in the Magistrate's Court ~on Wednesday before Mr. E. Page, S.M. Charles Warwick, crano-driver, in the employ of tho Wellington Harbour Board (Mr. A. B. Siovwright), was charged with assaulting James Graham, tram conductor (Mr. J. O'Shea). It was stated in support of the prosecution that Warwick had boarded a tramcar bound from Oriental Bay to Lambton Station at Courtenay-place, and had asked the conductor (Graham) for a one-section card. This was given, and then Warwick stated that he wanted a one-section (2d), ticket. At the stop in front of the Maritime Buildings, Custpmhouse^quay," complainant had his hand up to the boll-rope, in readiness to give the , 'gnal to proceed after de- w fendaht had alighted, when, it was alleged, Warw.ok moved under tho arm of tho conductor and struck him a blow on the mouth, breaking his teeth. Tho dentist's bill totalled £6 6s.

\ A counter-charge of assault and using bad language was laid by tho defendant against the complainant. • '"■ Warwick's version of the affair - was that ho had asleep .for a one-seotion tioket and had been givon n. card. He pointed out tho mistake to the conductor, who then, it was alleged, made offensive remarks, 'and gavo ' Warwick as change from tho 2s tendered twonty-fcwo coppers. It was admitted that Graham was pushed by Warwick, but there was justification as tho conductor stood in the way of tho passenger whon alighting. The conductor's place, counsel submitted, was at the rear of, the car, and not in the centre. _ Tho Magistrate dooided to conviot the defendant on tho first charge, but as the behaviour of tho conduotor had'*'been irritating, the fine would not be so heavy as would have otherwise been the case. Defendant was fined £1, and costs £1 lis. The charge mgainst Graham was dismissed.