Police Court

Southland Times, Issue 12009, 1 April 1892, Page 3

Police Court

Thursday, 31st Mai£ch; '• (Before Messrs R. F. Cufchbertsoa and A. Christophers, J.P.'s.) RAILWAY CASES. Daniel ' McKenzie was charged with having, on the 12th inst., trespassed on the Seaward Bush fail way between Tisbury and Mokotua by riding over it.~The defendant was not present. — Sergeant Macdonell called M. Scully, railway ganger, who gave evidence as to the commission of the offence, and said that he had previously cautione d the defendant. There was no road along the line, but there was room for a rider to pass without getting on the line. —A fine of 10s and costs was imposed.— The defendant came into Court some time after and wished to make a statement! in the interests of the public as to the necessity of facilities for travellers being provided between Tisbury and Mokotua, but was informed that the case was closed. •■••■ Charles Archer was charged with having, on the 12th inst., travelled on the Bluff line beyond the distance for which he had taken out a ticket. — The defendant deposed that when going down by the Saturday night train he asked at the window for a ticket to Clifton, handing in a shilling. He received a ticket and change, but did not notice how mubb change he got, and did not examine the ticket till he was stuck up by the guard. —John Shepherd, guard, gave evidence to the effect that he saw the defendant on the train after it had passed Kew. Asked him for his ticket, when he gave the one produced, which-.; only entitled him to go to Kew. He refused to pay the difference between the Kew and Clifton fares—fourpence — on the ground : that he bad asked for a ticket to the latter place. , .People were in the habit of getting' a ticket to Kew and of endeavouring to travel .°n to Clifton. . It was sometimes hard to detect 'such cases, as the tickets on the^ night ;train were often collected soon after Starting; aW the passengers got mixed up." He had on one occasion discovered as many as six travelling in that way, although he did not know that this was a case of that kind.— The Bench said that the circumstances were certainly suspicious, but the evidence was not sufficient to cbnviotthe defendant, and the case would therefore be dismissed, . but, if another case • of the kind came before.them, and the evidence was clear, a very- substantial penalty would be imposed. Lewis Woollet was charged with having, on the 27th February, while travelling on the Seaward Bush line, made use of abusive language^warasJ. Shepherd, guard.— Sergt. Macdonell said that the defendant, who was net present, had • admitted the offence aud made an ap'6#gy, akda^he >vas a hardworking man, With 'a' large family, a severe penalty would not be pressed for.-J. shepherd having, given evidence, the defendant' was tided' 1 ' 10s, Tfritlr coats, 7s. The money was pa~i,(U 5; /. ' * . - ■ _