AN EXPENSIVE RIDE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2378, 6 February 1915, Page 11

AN EXPENSIVE RIDE

TiIOUBLE OF A TRAM FARK The sequel to some, little excitement oa a certain tramcar, bouad ior Lyall iiay ou January 2 last, occurred in.the magistrate's Uourt yesterday morning, when a respectably dressed man named lidward Morris was charged with failing on demand to pay his car fare. The evidence of the conductor of the car. and other witnesses showed that defendant had pulled out a card of ticket's in response to "Fares, please,"■ but liaH then changed his mind, and thrust the card back into his pocket; Ho refused to pay. As there was con- ' siderable traffic on the line at- time (it was at Courteiiay Place: terminus),, the conductor left the matter over till the car had rounded the bend. When approached again the man still refused, and the conductor ordered him off, and eventually put him off the car. Just as the car started again Mc.rris boarded it. The conductor gave up bothering about his troublesome passenger, and later reported the matter. In explanation of his conduct, Morris said that he had previously paid a. fare. "You know how elusive these tickets are," he explained to the Magistrate. ' Furthermore, he enlightened the Court that he had been riding in cars for 30 years, and had paid every fare. "Great Heavens I" he exclaimed, "it costs me 17s. a week in fares—l7s. a week. T. am certain I would not dodge 1 "I am afraid I must convict you," said the Magistrate (Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.). "You will be fined 55., .with costs £1-3s. . With many assurances that a cheque would be forthcoming for that amount, accused left the Court.' I