A DANGEROUS PRACTICE.

Northern Advocate, 3 May 1916, Page 4

A DANGEROUS PRACTICE.

Before Mr E. Page, S.M., yesterday afternoon, tin the Magistrate's Court, Whangarei, a case of considerable public interest was heard. On the information of the police, Hugh Wallace, of Kawiti was charged with the offence of boarding a train while it was in motion. On the 15th of April, just as the train was beginning to move from the

platform in Whangarei station, the defendant made a move towards the train with a view to entering it. The stationmaster warned him not to attempt boarding the train, and the warning was repeated twice, but the defendant persisted in his purpose, and in attempting to mount the moving train he slipped. He wa.? carried along in a very dangerous position as far as the cattlestops wher e he was struck, and fell. Owing to the prompt action of the driver in applying the emergency brakes the defendant just escaped a very serious mutilation. He fell with his legs across the rail, and '."hen the train came to a standstill ths wheel of the van was within a few inches of where he lay. He wai so shaken by the accident and dan ?.?r he had escaped that he could act proceed on his journey. This was the case as outlined by the police, who also complained that the Tienec h:ul been getting very common of late, and owing to its danger both to those risking the attempt, and the public generally, it ought to be checked. The defendant did not appear but sent a letter to the Court stating why he was prevented coming and pleading guilty. The Magistrate convicted and imposed a fine of £ 3 with 7s costs.