EVASION OF TRAM FARES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18389, 3 May 1923, Page 9

EVASION OF TRAM FARES.

TWO OFFENDERS FINED £3. ONE PREFERS IMPRISONMENT. Substantial penalties for attempted evasion of payment of tram fare were imposed on two men in the Police Court yesterday by Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. It was stated by Mr. McKay, who appeared for the city tramways. department, that the prosecutions were brought as a warning to the public that the proper fare must be paid by people travelling on the trams. Numerous cases had been brought before the Court in the past year, but apparently the fines imposed had not acted as a deterrent, and he was instructed by the tramways department to ask that heavier penalties De imposed. Frederick Walter Popham, quarryman, denied' attempting to evade payment of his fare between the city and Epsom. The conductor galve evidence to the effect that defendant stood on the rear platform of the tram, which left the city at 7 a.m., with a number of permanent way men. Witness asked them to show their passes. All showed passes except defendant, who said "pass " and looked away. Witness concluded that he "was a permanent way man. ' Witness went through the tram three times, and each time he returned to the rear defendant looked away. An inspector boarded the tram and the permanent way men presented their passes, but when asked for his ticket defendant said he did not have one. Witness had to explain to the inspector why he allowed the man to travel without a ticket. Defendant ~ was not . employed by the tramway department. . Defendant, in evidence, denied that he told the conductor he had a pass. He. admitted he bad no money and did not obtain a ticket. He said he told the conductor he did not have a pass or any money, but gave his name and address; saying he would pay the fare later in the week....;' - .

."A. mean kind of swindling." commented the magistrate, and fined defendant £3 and costs, £3 9s, in default 7 14 days' imprisonment. . . ' Defendant, on ascertaining the alternative to paying the fine, said: "I do not wish to insult the Court, but I will take it out." ~ '~ '.'■' The evidence against the other defendant, E. Quintall, showed that he was found by an inspector without a ticket on a race car proceeding from the city to Remuera. Two other men with whom ho was sitting had tickets and the conductor had been through the car twice but defendant had not. offered his fare. Hei offered to pay the inspector, saying he had been talking about the races and had forgotten all about the fare. Defendant, who did not appear, was fined £3 and costs £2 14s.