THE DEATH-TRAP'S LAST KICK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 18 December 1907, Page 2

THE DEATH-TRAP'S LAST KICK.

ALLfcUIiD DISBKGAUD OE BWNALS.

Buttlieiithe i.,.v wis and always will ut, taV 6neofUu.nuu.y.seldom-u-«or. l"d-tolaws of this Dominion makes it an uiVencc for any person to cioss any railw iv Hue 'at a level crossing' oi use W r 'when a train with engine camIgUr truck is approaching in he grate's Court yesterday WHum Thomson was charged Willi a Inc. cli ot Uus regulation in respect to the Devon Street crossing, now, we are pleased to say, abandoned. H was that the defendant had disobeyed the signals when one of the new inspecting motor trolleys was approaching. The police laid Ibe information at the instance ol the rltailway Dcpartmeift. The evidence of two railway officials was called to contradict the assertion of the defendant that the green warning Hag hid not been waved, but held under the porter's arm. A conviction and iinc seemed inevitable, when a "little bird" whi-.pcred into the ear of the S.M. a doubt as to whether this motor-trolley, was a.u engine, carriage, or truck. By questions he elicited the fact that the vehicle was not a public conveyance, but used only by departmental officers. Mr I'itzhcrbert, the Magistrate, warned the, defendant that it was a dangerous practice to disregard signals, but sud he could not convict, for he did not believe that the. Act had contemplated a motor trolley. Sergeant Haddrell was not satisfied. He warmly contended that a truck was a carriage, and a trolley was a carriage, 100. The Magistrate overruled the objection. The Information would be dismissed. Had the legislators contented themselves with providing for the approach of n "vehicle," instead of elaborating, the probability is that a conviction would have been recorded.