RAILWAY STATION INCIDENT

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 486, 1 July 1919, Page 2

RAILWAY STATION INCIDENT

And Court Sequel

" PURELY PIGHEADEDNESB "

The railway officials in charge of the train which is due at Pukekohe at about 10 past six in the evening had a somewhat trying experience with a couple of passengers who boarded the train at Tuakau, under the influence of liquor, on Saturday night. It appears that the men made themselves at home in a second class non-smoking carriage, which was occupied by ladies and children. One was smoking, and both were consuming liquor. A lady complained about the conduct of the men, and requested the officials to move them on to a smoking carriage. They refused, and the Pukekohe police were communicated with. Sergeant Cowan, of the local police force, arrived at the station, and requested the offenders to do as they were asked. They refused again, and one made a charge at the Sergeant. A struggle ensued and eventually the men were arrested and placed in, the porters' ottice at the railway station. It was here the men showed their unwillingness to be detained, and immediately broke into riot. They smashed the panel glass door, and used obscene language. After a determined struggle, they were placed in the " cooler" at the police station.

As a sequel to the incident, JohH Richarl Phimister, alias Phinister, alias Philister, alias Kelly, and Joseph Peters were docked at a sitting of the Police Court yesterday (before Messrs J. T. Stembridge and C. K. Lawri«, J\s P.), charged jointly with having wilfully damaged a door the property of the New Zeal&nd Government Railways, to the total value of 30s; and also that on June 28th, 1919, being disorderly whilst drunk in a railway carriage between Tuakau and Pukekohe. Phimister was furthor charged that at Pukekobi>, on the same <L.te, with resisting the police officiul in theexecu ion of his duty. Accused pleaded guilty to all the charges, excepting that Peters pleaded not guilty to wilful damage. Previous convictions against Phimister were—At Blenheim, four years' reformative treatment on a charge of assault and causing actual bodily harm. He was released a year and seven months subsequently. At Christchurch, he was sentenced to fourteen days' hard labour for being a rogue and a vagabond, while he was acquitted of breaking and entering and theft at the same sitting that he was sentenced at Blenheim. At Auckland he was convicted and dis charged on a charge of drunkenness. Sergt. Cowan said he was called to the station on Saturday evening to " administer the arms of the law," a complaint having been received to the effect that accused were smoking and drinking and were disorderly in the 6.10 train at Pukekohe. He succeeded in getting Pet«rs off the train, and then induced Phimister to come off, but the latter showed fight. The Sergeant grasped his man, and a fierce struggle ensued. Eventually, both accused were lodged in the porters' office at the railway station. Whilst inside, Phimister got hold of a piece of iron piping, and dealt with the door, smashmg it considerably. Peters also had a " go " at it, and he thought Peters was as much to blame as Phimister, as he did not attempt to prevent the latter from smashing the door. Both were mad drunk.

John Henry Davis, ticket inspector, stationed at Auckland, said he loft Auckland at 3.45 p.m. on Saturday by 193, and joined 196 at Buckland—the train which arrives at Pukekohe about 6.10. The guard reported to him that the accused were smoking, drinking, and swearing in a non-smoker, occupied by a number of ladies and children. He had requested them to move to a smoker, but they did not obey. Witness was going to check the train after leaving Pukekohe. He also requested accused to move on, but they refused. If they had done as requested, the Department would not have woiried about the matter at all. Peters was smoking, and Phimister took the cigarette out of Peters' mouth, and threw it out of the window, but Peters immediately lit another one. The language was not too choice ; beer was all over the floor; and the carriage thev were in was in an awful state. While at the station they went out, but he saw ihem go back, so the police were communicated with. When the police arrived, Peters went out alright, but Phimister resisted Both accused got on at Tuakau. A lady complained about their conduct before the train drew into Buckland. Phimister was not smoking.

Henry Thomas Butler, who was in charge of the local railway station on the occasion, said he rang for the police. He corroborated the Sergeant's evidence about the smashing of the door.

Fred. Brown, station-master at Pukekohe, who was representing the Department, said the worst feature about the incident was that the train, which carried a lot of paasengers. was delayed 1 I minutes at Pukekohe through the conduct of accused. The Department took a serious vie*- of it on that account also

Mr Lawrie: The delay to the Department was very serious, wo admit; but the Department never goes very fast! Accused, who said nothing wero convicted and discharged for being drunk and disorderly. Phimister, for resisting the police, was sentenced to 11 days, while on the charge of wilful damage, each was convicted and sent up for one month's free board at the expense of the State, together with hard labour.

Peace demonstration Hags are being produced at the Times office. " First come, first served " is the motto of supply.