MILK DEPOT WORKER’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 201, 22 May 1936, Page 15

MILK DEPOT WORKER’S DEATH

Compensation For Widow The Arbitration Coyrt, presided over by Mr. Justice Page, and with Messrs. W. C. Prime and A. L. Monteith as assessors, was engaged yesterday in hearing the claim of Lily Louisa Weavers, of Wellington, widow, against the Wellington City Corporation for £lOOO damages and certain expenses in respect of the death of her husband. Plaintiff was represented by Mr; P. H. Putnam, and the City Corporation by the city solicitor, Mr. J. O’Shea. The statement of claim set out that George Albert Hoy Weavers, who was employed in the corporation milk department, fell dead on September 11, 1935, while in the act of lifting milkcrates in the milk depot. His widow claimed that death was due to the combined effect of the work and disease of the aortic valve of tlie heart from which he suffered, and that the death arose out of, and in the course of, his his employment. It was also stated that deceased, apart from his widow, left three children who were totally dependent upon him. Mr. O’Shea said that, while it could be argued that the deceased’s work had nothing to do with his death and it was quite probable the death was not accelerated by the work, in view of the decisions of the courts in New Zealand and England on the facts as they existed it was not possible to contend that the corporation was not liable. He suggested that the court make an order for the amount awarded by the court to be paid to the Public Trustee, and for him to apportion the money to the dependants. Judgment was entered for plaintiff for £l9OO, plus costs and funeral and medical expenses. The £lOOO was ordered to be paid to the Public Trustefe, as suggested by Mr. O’Shea.