Thomas family returns ‘inadequate’ cheques

Press, 15 January 1981, Page 5

Thomas family returns ‘inadequate’ cheques

PA Auckland ! Members of the Thomas family have begun returning their compensation cheques. Mr Allan Thomas, father of Mr Arthur Thomas, said yesterday that he had returned three cheques for a total of $20,550, to Mr Kevin Ryan, counsel for his son. Mr Thomas sen. said, “I told him (Mr Ryan) we rejected the cheques.” The Government-awarded compensation consisted of $2250 fo - Mr Thomas sen. and his wife, $16,500 for

their legal expenses, and $lBOO for one of their sons, Mr Richard Thomas. Mr Thomas sen. said the decision to return the cheques was a unanimous one by the Thomas family. Members of the family regarded the compensation ns totally inadequate, he said. Before they accepted compensation, the amount would have to approach about the $950,000 received -y Mr Arthur Thomas. Mr Arthur Thomas’s sister, Mrs Margaret Stuckey, of Point Wells, said the amount of compensation

given to Thomas family members was “a total slap in the face.” Mrs Stuckey, who, with her husband, was awarded $2lOO, said the rest of the family would return their cheques within the next few days. The Minister of Justice (Mr McLay) said yesterday there was li tie chance of the Government’.' revising the amounts of compensation awarded to the Thomas family.