A TRAMCAR OBSTRUCTIONIST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14528, 20 May 1909, Page 11

A TRAMCAR OBSTRUCTIONIST.

-81Al Urn City Police Court yesterday Kvnest Tony was charged with unlawfully obstruct inir all employee of tlio Dunedin Corporation in the execution of his duty. The charge was laid under tile Tramways Act. Mr Macllrogor appeared for tho corporae tioii, ami Mr Hawkins for defendant. In staling Iho cafe. Mr Maclircgnr said tlmt on April 27 the 2.29 p.m. car for Si. Clair was just .-(aitiiisr. and the conductor nslcod some passengers" to move in from the l'i'iir platform, as they were blocking- the gangway. Defendant point blank refused, and remained standing in the way of iw.seeugvrs, t.moking hi* pipe. The care, was a particularly had one. James William Mim.nw.in, conductor, co-id lie was on :he car ineniioneil. II was fairly full, and the'ro iviro several passengers on th« rear platform. Defcmhint was blocking the gangway, and ppoplo getting off and on had to -ipw/.e past him. Witness had a.knl defendant several times to keep the gangway clear, hut ho declined to do so. and .had told witness to "shut un." and to go away. Two ladies tried io hoard the ca- at Manor phue. and witness again n.-ked defendant io move and let them pas?, lie drew on one side, and thou rosaimed his iwifion, There was plenty of room inside the car. Another gentleman had said. ~\''l.uolc after your work and let the ear po on," Witness <Vd not think this remark was called for. It was his duly to I;<V|) the gangway clear. Charles Hope, yardman, said h" hoarded the ear at Man-v streel. hut had diflicuily ij: gelling in, because defendant was blockim; the lie had Io push past. There was ploniv of room inside: Witness heard the def.--ndiint tell the conductor to shut up. Witness called out "put him olf." 'Ihe conductor was civil and ymtieut. further evidence was irjvpn ltv (Iconic Si.-ven-on ami William Ki.hle.ll. Charles francis Alexander, tramways manager, i;;iv technical evideuco, and when ]>i,t-e I in Mate his reasons ioi- bavin.!; rung lip defendant's employer, said be had Jones' to liud oil! his Chiistian name. Uebuiring evidence vv;w ealled hv Mr Hawkins Io show thai Hie car was full inside. The Magistral said that if ~,.0,1,, had got into ihe cav after d.domhiut had Imvii spoken to. and oMiiucl seats, tin car could not have been full. Ho was satisfied tlud there had been n> ohsliiielion. and defendant would Iv tiled IPs. whi, eo-H