ARBITRATION COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8743, 17 December 1913, Page 6

ARBITRATION COURT.

CLAIM FOR COMPENSST!ON.

(Per Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, December 18. The Arbitration Court to-day gave judgment in the case in which Jane Paterson claimed from the Dunedin City Corporation £425 for the death jqf. her son, Robert Paterson, at the Waipori electrical power station, in August. Paterson was a labourer, and on August 13 was engaged with others in clearing away the . debris brought down about the power station by the floods and the bursting of the pipeline. Hewas found electrocuted in the cellar, but Ivvr he came to be there was not clear, though it is presumed that ■he went for a shovel left there by him previously. The plaintiff alleged that,her son's death was due to injury arising in the course of his employment, and claimed compensation for herself and her two daughters as total dependents of the deceased. 'Mr H. D. Bedford appeared for plaintiff, anrd Mr W. C. MacGregor for the defendants. . ;i The, Court held'"that it must be presumed that-deceased went to the cellar in the pursuance of his-employment,, and that the plaintiff was entitled to recover. The Court was not satisfied, however, that a case of more than partial dependency had been made out ? and compensation was assessed $^ £300. Funeral -expenses amounted to £15 6s 6d, and the plaintiff was entitled to recover that sum. Judgment was given accordingly for £315 6s 6d, with costs (£lO 10s). Of the £300, '£50' was to be paid to the plaintiff and the balance to the Public Trustee.