FALL INTO HOLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 91, 17 April 1936, Page 8

FALL INTO HOLD.

WATERSIDER'S : INJURIES. DISPUTE OVER DISABILITY. A claim for compensation by a waterside worker who fell into the hold of the steamer Doric Star on July 27, 1935, while engaged in discharging cargo, was heard in the Arbitration Court today. The plaintiff was George William Clarke (Mr. J. J. Sullivan), of Ellerslie, and the defendant the Auckland Stevedores' Company, Limited (Mr. B. Elliot).

The statement of claim set out that the plaintiff fell 18ft from the 'tween deck to the lower hold of the vessel and received injuries to the back of the head and the right leg. In consequence lie was a patient at the Auckland Hospital on three occasions. The plaintiff's average weekly earnings, in terms of the Workers' Compensation Act, were not less than £4 15/4, and plaintiff had been paid compensation at the rate of £3 3/7 until February 3, IDS 6. He claimed weekly compensation from that date and a lump sum which the Court might deem reasonable.

Mr. Sullivan said that there was no dispute about the accident, which was caused by the removed of a' platform near the foot of a ladder up which plaintiff had climbed. The dispute was as to the extent of plaintiff's disability. Dr. James Hardie Neil stated in evidence that the plaintiff had a definite lesion of the brain. Regarding the period of his disability, witness said it was impossible to forecast. Witness considered that plaintiff should be allowed full compensation for three years. (Proceeding.)