A TRAM CAR DISPUTE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 235, 7 November 1914, Page 14

A TRAM CAR DISPUTE.

' The case in which James A. TJren was charged with having-' committed a breach of tlie ' Tramway Board's bylaws, in that lie had used obscene language and threatening and had failed to give his name to a conductor when asked to do so, was coneluded before Mr T. A. B. Bailey yesterday afternoon after The Sun went to press. The'defendant's evidence was to the . effect that thgujonductor had been overofficious in the fii'st place, and the allegations made, by him were absolutely ■ denied. ' The x witness said that wheii he, his three brothers, and two' others who composed the party,- entered the car they were smoking, but ceased as .soon as they, entered the .enclosed compartment of .the ear.; -< Singing was admitted, and 'the witness 's explanation .of the statement that lie gave his hame aa Thompson and uis address as Worcester Street, was that he had said he r ould give his name to ■ Thompson (t.he> general manager of the.) tramways), in the niorhing, and that he wanted to get off in .Worcester., Street. The use of any. bad language by himself or any other member of the party was denied'.. The . witness also stated that the conductor had adopted a vindictive attitude to hint- later and on

meeting liim later had told the witness that he ' ' would get him yet."

Evidence on similar lines was given by tlireeb rothers of the defendant, and by W. 11. Sutherland and G. E. Bailey, of Papanui. The Magistrate said he had no doubt that the defendant did use insulting language to the conductor at the time he had asked him for his name, and afterwards, but he would strike out the charge of using obscene language from the charge sheet, and convict the defendant of having used insulting and indecent language, and of having refused to give his name and address. He was fined 40/.- aftd costs on the first count, and 20/- and costs on the second.