A Railway Travellers Quarrel.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2896, 11 February 1893, Page 3

A Railway Travellers Quarrel.

MR WRIGHT, M.H.R. FINED. At the Christahurch Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Messrs H. S. Wardell, Esq., R.M., and 3. Connal, Esq , E. G. Wright was charged with assaulting J. Chynowetb, on Jan. Mr Kippenbersrer appeared for complainant and Mr Joynt for defendant. John Chynoweth, Manager for Messrs Edwards, Bennstt and Co., Christchurcb, said that on January 28 he was travelling from Springston to Christchurch.- Got into the train at Rolleston junction. Witness had a small Gladstone bag in his right hand, and a rug in his left hand. Placed the bag at the door at the end of the carriage. Defendant was in the carriage, facing the door by which passengers entered Witness sat by the side of defendant, who ordered witness to move the bag into the guard's van. Witness said he had not time to remove thb bag into the guard's van> Defendant then removed the bag, and witness put it back again. Defendant kicked the bag violently. Witness said he did jjotwaut to have a "row," Defendant then struck witne/g two blows on tin face. Witness asked defendant for his card' and he replied that he had not got one.' The guard came into the carriage and' told witness that defendant was well-known in Christchurch. Witness told defendant that he would give him in charge when the train arrived at Christchurch. Cross-examined: There were tour «entfemen in the carriage when witness - Ktered it at Rolleston Junction. There were several ladies in the carnage. Hie reason why witness would not remove his baa was because defendant spoke to witness in a very ungentlemanly manner. The bag did not cause any inconvenience to the lady sitting opposite to defendant. Did not unethe words, "Shut up, you silly old man," to defendant. Henry Wood said he was in the railway carriage, coming from Rolleston Junction on Saturday, January 28. Ihe complainant and defendant were in the carriage, nitting next to each other. When complainant wens into the carriage he put his bag at the end of the passage, in front of defendant. Witness put his bug under the seat. Defendant objected to complainant putting hia bag in the r-arriaee Defendant picked up complainant;s bag and » planked "it near the door. Saw defendant strike complainant : Complainant's bag was too large to go conveniently under the £* Complainant had a bundle of rugs, wMch ho put on top of the bags. A lady S sitK opposite to defendant, and the C would hive incommoded her. Complainant's conduct in the carriage* was Srevokin*, and not conciliatory. Heard CpSant call delendant a « stup.d old man and tell him to " shut up ■ Mr Kippenberger called two ladies, but they did not appear. ' . . • •Kdward. Georjje Wright said h,e was in

the train coining to Christchurch from the Rolleston Junction on January 28. Complainant got info the carriage at lldlleston and placed his l<aj» a»id imndle of rugs close to whore witness nr.d a lady were sitting. The bug and ru-^ gruatly inconvenienced witness. Bequestud coroplainI ant co " put that luggage in front of his own seat." Complainant said, "No ; what harm is it doing .tare V Witness then removed the bag and rugs. Cymplainant put the bag back again, and witness naked him to pub ifc under the seat. Complainant replied. " Shot up, you silly old man." Complainant's manner was very provoking aid insulting, and witness gave him two "'thumps " on the sids of tha head. Witness did not " floor " him. Cross-examined : Witness did not kick complainant's }>ag out of the carriage. Witness was irritated by complainant's action in putting his bag immediately in front of witness. The Bench, in giving judgment, said there was no doubt whatever that complainant had broken the railway regulations by putting his bag in the carriage. The practice was a very bad one, and the. guards should see that passengers conformed to the regulations. The assault was undoubtedly committed and defendant would be fined 10s and Court costs. A crow action was withdrawn, complainant in the first case being ordered to pay cosjs.—"Lyttelton Times."