RAILWAY STATION SCENE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 4

RAILWAY STATION SCENE.

LONDON ARTIST SPENDS NIGHT IN POLICE CELL. Mr Ferdinand Jamieson, aa artist, ol Holloway, London, was acquitted ot a charee of assault at Blackpool Police Court, the case being brought as the result of a scene at '1 albcrt-road railnight, one minute before 'the time for the departure ot a train, Jamieson asked for excursion tiekets to Ayr. The tickets had to be written out, and first bell for the departuro of the train had wrung. Jamie, eon tendered a cheque, which the bookine clerk. A. J. Wilson, declined to accept it being against the company s rules. Jamieson became annoyed, would not tender money, and when the train had gone, wont round to the booking ofiice door, and entered the office. He used foul language, and then, picking up a hospital box that "was heavy witn money, threw it at the booking clerk. The box caught a book, and hit WiUon on the jaw. . Wilson, cross-examined, said Jamieson did not ask him bo cash the cheque, nor did ho put down two guineas. He could not have made tickets out under six minutes. Mr CalliB; Does It take six minutes to put "Ayr" on tickets F Witness; It’s not all, Ayr, sir, Mr Callis, drily: No; it's ail wind. Answering further questions, witness said the box was not knocked lif accidentally. Ho did not abuse Jamieson nor bang down the booking-office window. He did not refuse to book Mr Jamieson's party anywhere. Ho did not reply to the station inspector, who aiked him to book them. ‘‘No, I'll see them d first." It was true an inspector booked H;h« party to Preston over his head. Witness did nut sign the charge sheet. Constable Kigby said he arrested Jamieson on the station platform while Jamieson was standing at the door of another train, which his (Jamieson's! wife had entered. Mr Callis said it was disgraceful that a man like Mr Jamieson snould be arrested, marched to the police station, searched, and have to submit to the indignity of passing a night in the cell. The booking clerk'had been sullen and ill-tempered. He would not answer anyone respectfully, had used bad language in Mrs Jamieson's presence, and nad altogether acted in a rude, abusive, and blackguardly way. Later, the clerk used an offensive expression to Mr Jamieson. After a two hours’ hearing, the case was dismissed.