BALLANTYNE’S FIRE CLAIM

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 2

BALLANTYNE’S FIRE CLAIM

SETTLEMENT AT £B5OO A compromise in the sum of £B5OO was approved by Mr Justice Northcroft in the Supreme Court yesterday, in a claim by Kathleen Norah Stewart against J. Ballantyne and Co., Ltd. Mr A. H. Cavell, who appeared for Mrs Stewart, said that she was the widow of Mawson Stewart, who lost his life in the fire at Ballantyne’s premises on November 18. 1947. Though this was by far the largest claim the company had had to settle, the compromise was reached without the necessity of issuing a writ, lie submitted that the compromise was a fair and proper one. The widow was a young woman. 30 to-day, continued counsel, and her husband would have been 34. The two children, both boys, were aged 2 and 4. The claim was for £12.500. but a settlement had been made for £B5OO. The proposed apportionment was £ 4000 for the widow. £2160 for the older boy. and £2340 for the younger. Mr A. W. Brown, for the children, said the compromise seemed fair. The children were quite well off for they were beneficially interested to a large extent in the estate of their grandfather. Mr T. A. Gresson, for the company, said his client consented to the compromise. His Honour said that it seemed to him that the widow was being generous towards the children. An order was made approving the