MINERS' CLAIMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 3

MINERS' CLAIMS.

COMPENSATION AWARDED. A Waihi gold miner, William Richard Dormer, who, in the Arbitration Court yesterday, sought extra compensation from the Waihi Gold Mining Company, Limited, for an alleged back injury, was awarded £116 13/. Mr. was on the Bench, Mr. P. J. O'Regan appeared for plaintiff, and the defendant company was represented by Mr. J. Hore. In giving the judgment of the Court, Mr. Justice Frazer said all the doctors agreed that the sole cause of the continuance of plaintiff's trouble was septic teeth. He had established' his case and it appeared that he should be perfectly fit in three months. He would be allowed full compensation from March 11 last to the date of the trial and half compensation for a further 13 weeks, totalling £116 13/. He was allowed £10 10/ costs and witnesses expenses. Further compensation from Glen Afton Collieries, Limited (Mr. Hore) was claimed by Oliver Stokes, a coal miner, aged 60 (Mr. O'Regan). Mr. W. Davison, secretary of the Northern Miners' Union, represented the union. On May 25, 1931, plaintiff had both his legs broken, and since then had been unable to work. His average weekly earnings had been not less than £5 8/. He had been paid compensation totalling £374 S/, and asked that weekly payments of £3 12/ be continued until the date of the trial and for such other compensation as the Court thought reasonable.

There was very little conflict in the medical evidence, said his Honor. The Court had decided that it should' deal with the matter on an earning power basis, and that plaintiff would not be likely to earn more than about £2 a week. Judgment was for £470 9/7, with £10 10/ costs and witnesses expenses.