MOTORMAN ASSAULTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19517, 22 December 1926, Page 16

MOTORMAN ASSAULTED.

TRAM PASSENGER'S OFFENCE. PENALTY OF TWO POUNDS. A jesting remark made by a tramway motorman to an intending passenger whose foot slipped while he was attempting to board a moving car resulted in the appearance of Thomas Carpenter, aged 32, in the Police Court yesterday on a charge of assaulting Arthur Strange. Evidence was given by Strange that he was a tramway motorman. While his catr was travelling toward the city in Victoria Street West he slowed down between stops to allow accused to board the car. Accused's foot slipped from the step and he was dragged a short distance. Witness immediately stopped the car, and remarked, "What, drunk again ?" Witness did not know accused. As the latter got on the car he mumbled something, but went in and sat down: He soon came out again, appearing to be annoyed at the remark made by witness. Accused pulled the curtain aside and struck witness on the head, knocking his hat off. After talking for a time accused again struck witness on the head, again knocking off his cap. He then swung round on to the motorman's platfora to strike witness a third time, but when ordered back hei returned to the passengers' platform. He next commenced to abuse another motorman who was oo the platform, but was handed over to the police on the arrival of the car in Queen Street. He was not drunk but had evidently had some drink. Corroborative evidence was given by Ernest James Daniels, the other motorman. Accused said he just flicked off the motorman's hat, but; did mot strike him. His thumb was injured and he- could not strike anyone. He had taken exception to the motorman's remark, which was intended to ridicule him. The Magistrate, Mr. Hunt: You should have reported him. It is a very serious thing to interfere with a motorman. You will be fined £2 with costs.