GUILDFORD PETTY SESSIONS, March 9.
(Before the Earl of Lovelace and a full Bench of Magistrates.)
IMPORTANT TO RAILWAY TRAVELLERS.
Mr. Atkins, a gentleman, living at Petersfield, was summoned at the instance of the South-western Railway Company for having refused to show his ticket when demanded, whereby it was alleged he had subjected himself, under the by-laws, to a penalty of 40s.
It appeared from the evidence that Mr. Atkins was a passenger, and travelling in a second class carriage, and refused to show his ticket at Woking. He contended that he had no right to do so until he arrived at Godalming, which was the end of his journey, he having shewn it to one of the company's servants before leaving Waterloo station. The by-laws were framed to prevent fraud, which he never contemplated. Again, the offence was not complete until his fare had been demanded, after he had refused to show his ticket, and this was not done.
In an answer to the Chairman, the inspector said he had not been instructed to demand a fare from passengers under such circumstances.
The Bench said there was no doubt that Mr Atkins had infringed the by-laws, in not showing his ticket when requested to do so, but as no demand for his fare had been made upon him, no penalty could be inflicted; the case must therefore be dismissed.