Toll gate (1869)

Post date: Mar 18, 2013 8:30:21 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 9th October 1869.

EVADING THE PAYMENT OF TOLL. Timothy Agott, drayman, in the employ of Mr Jude, Wateringbury, was summoned for refusing to pay the toll of Bow-gate, Wateringbury, on the 7th of Sept. Mr Barton deposed that on the evening of the 7th of September, defendant drove up in his cart to the gate, when Mrs Barton went out and demanded the toll. Defendant claimed exemption on the ground of having been through the gate early that morning. A man named Adams was with him at the time. He asked defendant where he had been to early in the morning, and replied that he had been to the Wateringbury railway station; that he gave Mrs Barton 6d in the morning, and that she gave him 3d out. When Mrs Barton asked him for the toll, the remark defendant made use of was " All right, it is the same horse I had this morning." Witness afterwards went to the railway station authorities, and ascertained that defendant had not been there that morning. Upon telling defendant afterwards, defendant alleged that paid the money the time it was demanded of him on the disputed occasion. This was the first time had heard him say so, and told defendant. Defendant therefore said that he paid the money in the presence of the man Adams. Witness then went to Adams and asked Adams if had paid then, when Adams replied that defendant did not in his presence, but that defendant said at the time that he had paid in the morning. He called police-sergeant Bates to hear what Adams said. A witness named Hooker was called by the defendant to prove paying the toll, but this witness could only depose seeing defendant pay the toll on some occasion. He could not recollect the day. He thought it was something like three weeks ago. The bench considered the case proved, and ordered defendant to pay fine of £1 and 12s 6d costs. Defendant—l must have the case postponed for another month (laughter). Chairman—You will have to pay ; have you got the money ? Time was allowed defendant to pay.