UNPAID TRAIN FARE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1932, Page 2

UNPAID TRAIN FARE

LIMITED PASSENGER caught

SHOWMAN TO- PAY FINE

AUCKLAND, June 18

Two - charges arising out of an attempt to evade the payment of a railway far 6 . were preferred against Edward Stockdale, a showman,, of no fixed abode, before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Hamilton Police Court yesterday. Defendant' did not appear. Counsel! for the Railway Board stated that during the last two years it had li>een the policy of the board not to disturb through passengers on the Main flVunk expresses by asking -them to produce their tickets more than once. An abuse of this courtesy was noted on'the night Of May 29, when' "defendant, who had bought a ticket authorising him to travel Iron! Palmerston North to Martou, was found without a'ticket north of Yaumaiunui. When questioned, 'Stockdals told a ■series of untruths, and gave a false name and address. Finally, he admitted that ho was trying to get to Frankton on the Palmerston North-Marton ticket, iand gave his correct name and •address. Ooufnsel 'said the Railway Doard jiooked on the ca-s 4 as a serious one, and asked that the maximum penalty be imposed. j

A railway guard, ...Thomas Kearin, said on May 29 he was guard of the north-boimd Limited express. After the train left • Taumarunui he called out “Tickets from Taumarunui, please,” "The defendant made 'no response.

Jonathan Griffin, ticket inspector, said he made a full cheek of the tickets after the train had passed Tauinarunui, and after the guard had parsed through. Witness derailed the conversation ho had with .Stockdale, who, after being questioned, admitted he had taken a ticket from Palnioi’cton North to Marton with the intention of travelling to Frankton.

“Phis was an impudent attempt on defendant’s part to travel on the train without paying his fare,” -said the magistrate, who imposed a' fine of £5 for attempting to travel on the train without having previously paid the proper fare. For attempting to-evade the payment of tlhe fare, defendant was ordered to pay the Co3**.