LOSS OF SIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 90, 17 April 1934, Page 8

LOSS OF SIGHT.

THROUGH RARE COMPLAINT. DISPUTE AS TO CAUSE. The claim for compensation brought by John Patrick Wright (Mr. S. Mason) against the Northern Poller Milling Co., Ltd. (Mr. L. P. Leary and Mr. H. M. Wheaton), of which he was an employee, was continued before Mr. Justice Ostler to-day. The plaintiff was struck by sacks of wheat when breaking down a stack in September, 1932, and claimed that blindness, which eventuated eight months later, was the result of the blow. An operation performed then revealed a condition of local serous meningitis. Evidence was called for the plaintiff to support the contention that this was the result of a blow, while the defence asserted that it was an aftermath of an attack of influenza. Plaintiff originally claimed £2500 damages, on the ground of negligence by the company in the stacking of the sacks of wheat, but his Honor, after visiting the scene of the accident, suggested that plaintiff should rely on a claim for compensation under the Workers' Compensation Act. Fellow employees, in evidence, stilted that plaintiff seemed the same in health after the accident and did not complain of headaches. Only Sixteen Simflar Cases. Dr. J. A. Watson, who attended plaintiff tlio day after the accident, said that lie found no contusion or bruises, and that plaintiff had not complained of headaches. Dr. W. A. Fairclough, ophthalmic surgeon, stated that the hospital history revealed that plaintiff had had influenza. He was sure that plaintiff had had a sinus infection, which explained the rapid loss of vision. It was a rare complaint, and only about 16 similar cases were known in the books. There was some argument whether infection was the cause of it, though there was general agreement that infection was the most likely cause. (Proceeding.) '