DAMAGES CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 8

DAMAGES CLAIM.

YOUTH LOSES FINGERS. VERDICT OF THE JURY. Though the hearing of the claim for £775 damages, brought by Alleyne Morrison Langridge against G. W. E. Pnreliase, of Warkworth, and his wife. Nellie Purchase ; was concluded yesterday, the effect of the jury's verdict is still a subject for legal argument, which will be heard on Monday. The plaintiff brought the claim in consequence of losing several fingers, as the result of an accident with a circular saw while in the employ of defendants in July last year. The defendants contended that the plaintiff' had not been authorised to use the saw.

Eleven issue? were put to the jury, wliicli decided that tlie accident was caused I>y the saw bench being unguarded* but not by the nature of the wood or the way the plaintiff handled it. It found, too, that Mrs. Purchase permitted the use of the saw bench, and that Jack Purchase, son of the defendants, who worked with the plaintiff. was their agent. It did not tind either party guilty of negligence, and left unanswered the question of who had (he last opportunity of avoiding the accident. Damages were assessed at £Jf>r> general and £33 7/6 special. Mr. Sexton appeared for the plaintiff, and Messrs. Baslev and Newbery for the defendants. Counsel are to consider the effect of the findings and submit motions and argument upon them.