ACCIDENT INSURANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 72, 25 March 1922, Page 6

ACCIDENT INSURANCE.

A CLAIM CONTESTED. SPHERE OF EMPLOYMENT. ', (Bj - Telegraph.—Tress Association.. ' WELLINGTON, this day. "In driving a motor at an excessive speed Avhilst in pursuance of an employer's business, does a man, in the eyes of the Taw, commit a breach of "the regulations Avhich places him outside the sphere of his employment?'' This _ s a question Avhich the Arbitration Court has to decide in connection with a compensation claim for £7."i() heard yesterday. The action Avas 'brought by the Public Trustee in the estate of Herbert Markham Wright (deceased I against the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Company. It is set forth in the statement of claim that deceased died about October 4. 11)21, as the result of an accident at the Hutt Avhilst in the employment of the defendant company. Deceased left a Avido l y and two children. His average Avcekly earnings AAere £6 14/. The defence Avas that the accident occurred at a time Avhen deceased was not in any way employed Iby the defendant company. The society further contended that the fatality, cAen if it occurred in the course of employment, was caused -by the fact that Wright AA'as intoxicated at the time, and ' that he Avas driving a motor cycle at an excessive speed to that provided by the by-laws of the local authority, ft also maintained that at the time of hi. death Wright's earnings were at a rate exceeding £400 per annum. After evidence had 'been heard, the Court reserved its decision.