TRAM FARES NOT PAID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21240, 21 July 1932, Page 12

TRAM FARES NOT PAID

THREE MEN PROSECUTED Three men were prosecuted by tlie 'Auckland Transport Board in the Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of attempting to evade payment of tramcar fares- Tho defendants were J. L. D'Arcy Irvine, aged 72, a retired civil servant, J.-Viscoc, a young man, and T. Balu, an Indian. All pleaded not guilty.

Evidence was given that "Viscoe was Enable to produce a ticket when asked to do so by an inspector in an outwardbound Onehunga tramcar in Epsoin on Jnne 25. At first he gave an incorrect name.

The magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, imposed a fine of £1 and costs, £1 ss. In the case against Irvine it was stated by an inspector and a conductor that defendant had been found without a ticket on an' Owairaka tramcar on Juno 23. Although the conductor passed through the tram three times defendant made no attempt „to pay his fare. " I was preoccupied at the time, but had no intention of not paying," said defendant.

It is every passenger's obligation to pay bis fare, whether lie is directly asked for it or not," remarked Mr. Hunt, in fining Irvine 10s and £1 5s costs.

The third defendant, Balu, it was stated, had failed to tender his fare in a tramcar bonnd from Epsom to the city on June 22. Defendant pleaded that he ■was occupying an inside seat and in tfce crowded tram the conductor overlooked him when collecting the fares. Defendant was ordered to pay 10s costs, no fine being imposed. The magistrate said he might not have deliberately attempted to evade payment.