COMPENSATION CLAIM.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20215, 18 April 1931, Page 11

COMPENSATION CLAIM.

_—♦ —\ SEQUEL TO FATAL ACCIDENT. JUDGMENT for defendant. A claim for compensation, a sequel to a fatal accident which occurred on October 21st, last vear, in Riccarton, road, was heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr tiV Young, S.M. , Mercedes Lucia Thompson, .of - Christcliurch: widow <W. —l. StaCey), proceeded against George Campbell, 37 'Uolleston' street, motorbody builder (Mr C. 8. Thomas), claiming that she'was the surviving parent of Carlos Odjn Thompson, deceased ; that on October 21st, 1930,' at 8 p.m., her son' was proceeding on a motor-cycle along:-Riccarton road '•on his correct. "side of - the road in un easterly direction. Defendant was driving;, a ( njotor-car along Ki.ccarton . road in a westerly direction when he so negligently and unskilfuHy turned towards the right to enter s . Purir l ' street, that the car collided with motof-cycle, and Thompson was killed. ; _ The negligence, it was- claimed, consisted in failing to givi? naming approach, > failing to indi.ate the intention of turning- into Puriri street, failmg to keep to the . left of the centre line of the intersection when turning, and failing to notice Thomp- • son's approach. Had death not en-* ®Ufsd. Thompson would have been en-. titled to maintain an' action and ' recover damages. '

jii'ii»i mj\ ~ ■•A;., Plaintiff claimed from the defendant $s- compensation, £lso,by way ° general damages. - ! Mr! Stacey said that plaintiff had an almost immediate expectation or earnings from her son. " . . 'ln ! evidence blaintiff said that' ner son had been nearly 16 years and was attending' Christ s College. He - was' due : to leave! at- the. end or. that 'year, arid to "go on to a farm a 30s" a week rind found. At- the ag of 21' years he was to 'have receded £500; under an insurance policy, tne terms of which , were that no money would be paid out if he did not liv to that age. Her husband's estate had, been .worth, about .£4OOO, and sh had no other'source of income,. , .After hearing lengtbly, evidence the Magistrate said that, he was that the defendant had shown negn- , gence. ' biit " there had been , contributory negligence: on tfys part the motor-cyclist. Judgment wou be for the defendant, .with costs.