RIGHT TO A SEAT IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5154, 29 May 1891, Page 4

RIGHT TO A SEAT IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE.

6 (Evening Post.) Two assault cases wero heard at Waipawi a few days ago arising out of a seat in a rail way carriage being " jumped " by a new comei during th« temporary absence of its propei occupant. The new orrival was told the seal was occupied, and there wore some privati papers upon it, but ho said he had as muct right to the Beat as anyone else, and he accord, ingly took possession, to bo forcibly ejected when tbe original ocoupier returned. For t.hii assault the latter and a friend were fined siqal sums, the Magistrate ruling thst although the custom, especially amongst gentlemen, was to recognise a right of proprietorship in a seal throughout a journey, there was no law which prevented any passenger taking a seat which was not ocoupied. Disputes ol this kind are of constant ocourrence on railwaj journeys. It is manifestly impossible that ony passenger can retain his seat, say all the way from Wellington to Napier, or Christchurch to Dunedin. His leaving his coat, oi book, or bag upon it during temporary absence is, it seems, no protection, nor oin one pasBenger retain a seat for anothor. Thue friends travelling together, a lady with a genlemon, or a pleasant party, may be separated at almost any station by some new comer Great annoyance and inconvenience is frequently caused in thiß way, and we can onbj wonder that assaults and appeols to force are not more frequent than they are. If there wsi always plenty of room io the carriages the inconvenience would not be so great, bul very frequently the number of paßsengeri carried is lorgely in excess of the number oi scats available, and the through passengei wbo has arrived early at the starting poinl with his friends, taken a comfortable seat surrounded himself with all his travelling impedimenta, may a station or two further on find h's seat "jumped " and have to stand foi a greater part of the remainder of the journey, unless he likea to " jump " Borne on. else's seat when opportunity occurs. Ths Bailway Commissioners might, we think do something to obviate the inconvenience of this state of things, and by a bye-law givi passengers for a long distance aome sort ol title to a seat once taken. In the House oi Commons a member deposits bis hat on a seat and it becomes aacred to him for the night A railway passenger should be able to ear mark and secure his seat by the deposit ol hiß coat, bag, or books on it during hi. temporary absence from the carriage. Th. comfort and convenience of railway travelling would be muoh increased if this were done.