STRAP HANGERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16427, 22 January 1919, Page 4

STRAP HANGERS.

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AX AUCKLAND INCIDENT

A rather inteiesting case came before Air J. E. Wilson, S.M., m. the Auckland Magistrate's Court last week, when a man named Joseph Thornes was charged with having obstructed a tram conductor in the execution of his duty. The circumstances outlined were that 1 just on 5 p.m. an Onehungatram startI od from the Quoen street terminus, and whan it reached the Thames Hotel corner theie was a rush lor places; some would-be passengers were crowded off. Mr Thornes, the defendant, was one of the people asked to get off, and he declined on the ground that he was entitled by the notice in the car, "o'J seated, 14 standing," to be carried to his destination, as there were not that number in the car. That notice, Mr A. E. Skelton contended on behalf of the defendant, was an invitation by the Tramwav Company to the public to occupy the cars to that extent. It was stated in evidence that the company was not compelled to carry any people standing, but made it a practice to carry fourteen. His Worship pointed- out that the cars were not licensed to carry any particular number of passengers, and that defendant's action, whether or not he considered he was within his rights, did in fact delay this car several minutes, as well as keeping back other cars. It obstructed the conductor in his duty of assisting to have the car kept up to schedule time, and defendant would have been more reasonable and better advised to have got off when-requested, and to have tesiecr 1 his rights by legal action later against the company in damages for unlawful removal from the car. Defendant would be convicted and fined 20s, and -13s i costs. j