POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 14

POLICE COURT NEWS.

ASSAULT ON A CONDUCTOR

INCIDENT IN A TRAMCAR. "Tramway officials must be protected," said Senior-Sergeant Edwards when Edmund George Essery was charged in the Police Court yesterday with assaulting a tram conductor and using obscene language in a tramcar. James Edward Knowles, tram conductor, said he was on an outward-bound Dominion Road tram in Queen Street at about 6.10 p.m. on January 29, when he saw accused under the influence of liquor. Witness gave him his ticket and some change. A little later accused dropped a shilling on the floor and when witness returned accused said, "You like throwing .change on tho floor." Witness took no notice, but when the car reached the terminus accused came to the back platform and caught witness, by the tunic. He used obscene language and struck witness in the face. Accused was removed from the car by a passenger. Accused, in evidence, said he had two bottles of beer before boarding the tram. In giving him his change the conductor threw the money into his hand, with the result that half of it went on the floor. On reaching the terminus witness "told him off." He did not strike the conduc tor or use the language complained ot. The magistrate, Mr. Hunt, said he was quite satisfied that accusied had had enough liquor to make .him quarrelsome and make him see an insult where none was intended.

Accused was fined £2 on each charge, with costs £3 12s.

OTHER CASES. For being the owners of dangerous dogs Bert Cooper was ordered to pay £1 15s for damage done to a pair of trousers, in addition to costs 16s, and William Bloomfield was ordered to pay costs £1 Bs. A fine of £3 was imposed ou James Frederick Day for establishing a wireless plant without a licence. A Chinese, Wong Wei, was fined £2 for being in possession of an unregistered shotgun. For procuring liquor during the rency of a prohibition order Henry Charles S Kevey was fined £2 and Bertha Julia Clarkson £l.