DEAR TELEPHONE TALK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20554, 3 May 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

DEAR TELEPHONE TALK.

FINE OF FIVE GUINEAS. Can a postal official who rings up a telepn'one exchango girl without prepayment bo guilty of a felony? This question was raised in a novel prosecution before Mr. Graham Campbell at Bow-street, London lately. George William Nash, a Post Office linesman, was summoned for " fraudulently causing to be consumed electricity as tiie result of a telephone call." It was stated that in consequence of complaints a trap was laid, and Nash was caught in a public call-box. One of the girls had purposely kept him in conversation to delay his departure. Ho had not paid for the call.

Defending counsel, contended that there had been 110 felonious intention, which was the essence of the offenco. Nash in tho first place rung up the exchange to inquire the timo, as lie was entitled to do. Ho was not asked to pay for tlie call, or lie would have done so. The value of the electricity consumed was infinitesimal. Ihe magistrate held that the case was proved, and imposed a fine of £2 25., with £3 3s. costs,: