BICYCLES AND TRAM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1937, Page 3

BICYCLES AND TRAM

THREE YOUTHS CHARGED

"These boys have been doing it for months and months, hanging on to. the back of trams and riding zig-zag in front of them without lights," said a conductor, when three youths appeared before Mr. J. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today. Cyril Herbert Croft, Clement Gestro, and Harry Schuster were charged with hanging on to the outside of a tramcar, and Croft was also charged with the theft of a pinch-bar valued at 2s. "We've nearly had three accidents recently," said the witness, "and my niotorman has had ( several emergency stops because of this."

Mr. W. P. Rollings appeared for Croft, who pleaded not guilty to both charges, and Sub-Inspector J. A. Dempsey conducted the prosecution.

Evidence was given that the boys followed a tramcar on bicycles along Broadway towards Seatoun about 8.40 p.m. one day. Some of the boys hung on to the back of the tram, and refused to let go. The conductor picked up the pinch-bar with which to frighten them, but lost hold, of it. Croft picked it up from the road, and was found with it'in his-possession by another witness, who regained possession of it. . -

"I submit that this evidence does not show up the two witnesses in a very favourable ligut," said Mr. Rollings. "Apparently one tried to hit the boys with a heavy iron bar, and the-Qther used his pugilistic prowess to regain possession of it from Croft." He pointed out inaccuracies in the' evidence. The defence maintained thai the conductor had hit one of the boys with his wallet and had tried to. hit the others with the bar. Both charges against Croft were dismissed. Gestro and Schuster, who pleaded guilty, were each fined 10s and costs.