SMOKING IN AIR

Evening Star, Issue 22327, 1 May 1936, Page 1

SMOKING IN AIR

REGULATIONS DEFIED PROSECUTION IN LONDON. lor smoking while in the Imperial Auways liner Heiae.es, Rupert JLiclleville, or White’s Club, was fined £lO, with £3 3s costs, at Croydon (London) Police Court. He pleaded guilty to a summons, issued at the instance of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which alleged that he smoked in the Heracles contrary to the Navigation Order of Mr Vincent Evans, prosecuting, said that on January 11 the Herafcles, carrying a number of passengers and piloted by Captain Rogers, left Paris for Croydon. Notices were exhibited prohibiting smoking on board. Shortly after leaving Paris Belleville, who was a passenger. lit a cigarette and began to smoke. The steward told him that smoking was not allowed, took the cigarette away, and reported the matter to the captain. Belleville lit another cigarette and began to smoke. This, too, was taken away from him, and the steward again reported to the captain. The captain left the cockpit and told Belleville that smoking was not permitted on board. FIRST CASE OF ITS KIND. Belleville was again seen to be smoking, and the steward took the cigarette from him. While the aircraft was cir- . cling round Croydon he was seen to I light another cigarette. | A warden,of the aerodrome who saw 1 him smoking inside the aeroplane told I him he was not allowed to do so, and ! Belleville replied, “ What do you meant’' The warden repeated what he had said, and Belleville replied, “ I shall smoke if 1 like. 1 have always i done so.” He added. “I suppose I shall get a letter for this.” | Mr St. John Hutchinson, K.C., deI fending, said that that was the first case of the sort brought in this country. He intimated that Belleville pleaded guilty and apologised to Imperial Airj ways. I Mr St. John Hutchinson pointed out that Belleville had done an immense amount of flying. While with the Auxiliary Air Force he was promoted from pilot officer to the rank of flying officer. Ho was a member of " the squadron that won the Esher trophy for discipline. When the trophy was awarded he represented the squadron for flying efficiency. “ NO DANGER TO OTHERS.” Mr Hutchinson said that Belleville had flown all over the'Continent and’ all over Syria, Iraq. Palestine, Ivan, India, Siam, and China, and had had 1.500 hours in civil flying. He must have covered at least 150,0()0 miles. He pointed out that in other British air lines and in German air lines smoking was allowed on board aircraft. In the United States it was the custom. Belleville admitted smoking only three cigarettes. “ He now realises,” said Mr Hutchinson, “ that it was a very foolish and stupid thing to do, because in aeroplanes you must obey the rules that are made. But there was no danger to other passengers.” The Chairman said that the Bench had considered the suggestion of treating the case under the Probation of Offenders Act, but they felt some diffidence because of Belleville’s defiant attitude.