THOUGHT HE COULD BOOK TRAM FARES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 8

THOUGHT HE COULD BOOK TRAM FARES

BRIGHTON RESIDENT PAYS OVER £3 FOR FOUR TRIPS. H. Milne, of 74. Bowhill Road. North Beach, New Brighton, was under the impression that he could book up tram rides, and in consequence he appeared before Mr H. P. La wry, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning to answer four charges of failing to pay his tram fare. The Magistrate did not take a lenient view of the case, and Milne will‘be out of pocket to the extent of over £3. Mr Hutchison, who appeared for the Tramway Board, said that the offences occurred within a week, from March 7 to March 14. It seemed a strange thing for any man possessing some degree of intelligence to board a tram and expect to have his fares booked up. Defendant said that he had understood that fares could be. booked up. Asked by the Magistrate why he had not paid the fares at the office immediately, he said that he understood that the Tramway Office sent out notices of debts. The Magistrate: Why didn’t you pay your fares when you obtained the rides?—l had no money. You could have walked.—l had to get to my work. I could not walk from Brighton to Addington. Mr Hutchison informed the Magistrate that Milne was proceeding to and from his home on each occasion. The Magistrate: This sort of thing cannot be allowed. If everyone booked their tram fares the Tramway Board could not maintain its existence. Defendant was fined 10s and costs on each charge. He was allowed a month in which to pay each fine.