A PROHIBITED PROMENADE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 16 October 1907, Page 2

A PROHIBITED PROMENADE

ACTiUN Bl' THE RAILWAY AUTHORITIES. The practice of using the railway line as a promenade and the railway yaid (is a site for a, sunbath, and the railway station platform as a courting resort has reached undesirable dimensions. Quite a favorite Sund.iy afternoon stroll with some people is along the railway deviation works. Others have been in the habit of crossing the railway yard to the bcich. No great objection would have been taken to this, probably, imi for the acts of some mischievously inclined persons who interfered with the rolling s.ock. Amongst other things the brakes on the carriages were interfered with, and a carriage window broken. With a view of giving publicity to the fact that the public have no business about the railway yard or any part of the railway property not specially set apart fcr public thoroughfare, the authoritiei requested the police to take action against trespassers. Thus it was that two young men appeared before the Magistratb yesterday charged in respect to trespass. As it happened, tliey had committed no more heinous offence than walking down the new railway route one Sunday afternoon, thence along the seaward line in the railway yard to the overhead footbridge. Hut Sergeant Haddrell, who prosecuted, said the Eailway Department was determined to stop this trespassing. The prosecution was not specially aimed at these young fellows with a view of the infliction of heavy penalties, but merely as a warning to the general public. The Sergeant also mentioned The fact that the local staion was use! at night by couples amorously inclined, and that the Department objected to also. The Magistrate said he had only to deal with tlie cases beforo him, and as these young men doubtless had no idea they were committing an offence, lie would inflict only a small penalty of five shillings and costs. So tflat it would be as well for the public who desire to walk that they ehould walk anywhere but on the railway lino. And 'nooney" couples ehould look cut boitk 'her sequestered nook lest some day appear, confused and blushing, to .. r a charge of trespassing by night