FIGHT IN SIGNAL BOX.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4728, 13 June 1911, Page 4

FIGHT IN S IGNAL BOX.

David Wall:i' , i Hmon in a cabin on the (if . i »» estem line between Bridge end and Kenfig Hill. Glamorganshire, told the Bridgend magistrates a thrilling story on a recent, afternoon of how, at midnight on the previous night, be was attacked by Iwo colilern, named Arthur Thomas and David Ballinger, of Kenfig Hill, who were before the bench on charges of trespassing and assault. Watkins said Ballinger came to his cabin at 11.30 on the night in question. and asked for a drink of water, saying a friend was dying. Ho then said it was a joke, and the witness assisted him nut and along the line, because be was drunk. Suddenly Bal linger turned round and attacked him, and Thomas, the other defendant, appeared on the scene. The witness left the two and proceeded to the signalbox. He was followed, and a scufllc on the cabin steps ended in Ballinger being hurled down. The witness lushed up the steps and held the door against the men. While he was thus engaged the telephone bell was signalling the Neyland goods train going through. The witness had to leave the door to go to the telephone, and the defendants rushed into the cabin and threw him down. He struggled with them for a long time, but eventually managed to get, to the instrument and return the telephone call. Both defendants, continued Watkins, caught hold of the signal sticks, and one of them took the poker from the tire grate and commenced to beat him with it. He was struggling with his assailants for about twenty minutes. He heard the Neyland goods train coming along and with great difficulty managed to hang out a danger signal lamp. Ballinger saw this and kicked the lamp down, afterwards jumping out through the window and running away.

The goods train was pulled up near the signalbox, and the driver, having noticed the struggle, came and helped the witness to hold Thomas. Afterwards the witness and another man chased Ballinger and caught him. Sergeant Phillips, of Tondu, said that a special engine was sent for him, and he proceeded to the signal box, where he arrested the men. The prisoners were fined XI, with the alternative of 1-1 days’ imprisonment, for the trespass, and were sent to prison for six weeks with hard labour for the asasult.