Evaded train fare? (1866)

Post date: Mar 24, 2013 2:19:3 PM

Letter to Maidstone Telegraph, 3rd March, 1866 following report of case at Maidstone Petty sessions in Maidstone Telegraph of 24th February 1866.

To the Editor of the Maidstone Telegraph

Sir,—In your report of the case between the South Eastern Hallway Company and myself, published in your last impression, there is an inaccuracy, which I beg leave to correct, I am therein made to say :—"I paid the summons, and the consequence is there is no appeal following the summons, according to their own bye-law." What I did say was this:—"I object to the summons, that, as there is no fraud imputed to me, there is now no penalty following, upon a mere technical breakage of their bye-law."

Will you permit me to add with reference this most contemptible conduct of the South Eastern Railway Co., that the magistrates would no doubt have given costs, had they thought it necessary to hear my defence. For the information of your readers, the simple facts were these:—On the morning of the 17th November last, I got to the station at Wateringbury just as the train was starting, and to avoid waiting there two hours, I rushed into a carriage with the knowledge of the guard and station master. When we arrived at Maidstone I tendered the fare, both to the ticket collector and Mr. Raggett by whom it was not only declined, but I was asked to pay the fare from Charing Cross, from whence the train did not come. A few days after, I received an application from a Mr. Whateley, of the South Eastern Audit office, asking me to pay 1s. 6d., and stating that the train started, from Paddock Wood." I replied, enclosing nine postage stamps, as my fare from Wateringbury.

This concluded the correspondence, and as I heard nothing further I thought the matter ended, when to my astonishment and indignation, there came a summons three months after. Well may an influential body of shareholders want an entire change of management in a line so conducted as the South Eastern Railway.

I am Sir, your obedient servant,

W. Milne Smithies.

16, Brunswick-square, London, W.C.

Feb. 28, 1866.

[Our correspondent we consider quite unwarranted in his censure. Unless the Railway authorities adopted the strictest precautions they would be liable to fraud every day, and although he may feel some what indignant we can only express our satisfaction that the Railway officials are no respecters of persons —Ed. M. T.]