ARBITRATION COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 81, 3 October 1904, Page 6

ARBITRATION COURT.

. « The Arbitration Court— Mr. Justice Chapman (President) and Messrs. S. Brown and R. Slater— resumed its sittings this morning. COMPENSATION AWARD REVIEWED. Judgment was given in the case of William M'Crossan v. John Barton, reported last week. In September, 1903, claimant M'Crossan, whose foot had been injured while in respondent's employ, obtained a declaration of liability and half wages, £1 4s a week. The present case is a motion by respondent to review the order on the ground that claimant has recovered or almost entirely recovered from the effects of the accident. The Court, reviewing the medical evidence, stated that Drs. Purdy, Hector, ( and Ewart thought that the foot would always be' clumsier, and that there might be a liability to feel pain at the end of a heavy day's work, but that this ought to disappear by next morning, and that these drawbacks ought not to affect claimant's wage-earning power. Dr. Elliott, to whom claimant had complained of pain in the scar on his foot, advised the surgical removal of this scar, and other medical witnesses agreed that this operation, which would disable claimant for a month, would effect an haprovfc' nr-ent. The Court, having reviewed the medical evidence, also claimant's, arrived at the conclusion that lack of use had retarded the recovery of the injured foot, and that, with a little more energy on claimant's part, claimant would "find himself able to earn full wages. We think, moreover, that his "remaining disability is due to the scar, which is superficial, and might have been removed before now. It is, however, a consequence of the accident. We award that his present payments continue for five weeks from Ist October, and that payments then cease, but that the declaration of liability remain in force As to the costs this proceeding was for the benefit of the respondent, and though successful in bringing matters to .a head, it has not been wholly successful. We think that each party must bear his own costs." ENFORCEMENTS. Brick and Tile Workers' Union v. Jas Trevor, employing a young man as a labourer at less than the award minimum. The Labour Department, represented by Inspector Aldridge, prosecuted. Mr. Henry Field (Secretary of the Employers' Federation) admitted the breach on behalf of respondent. The President thought there was no intention to gain, even though in some sense there might have been a gain. A fine of £2, with expenses, was imposed. No order for back wages was made. Brick and Tile Union v. C. W. Stephens (Brooklyn), employing a worker at less than the minimum wage prescribed in the award for his age. The Labour Department, represented by Mr. D. M. Findlay, prosecuted. Mr. Henry Field, for respondent, admitted the breach, but attempted to set up that respondent had been misled as to the worker's age. A fine of £2, with expenses and costs, £2 2s, was imposed. No order as to back w-ages was mentioned. Bakers' Union v. Heriry Fisher (Newtown), employing a worker as a "jobber" ac less than the award ' minimum wage. The Labour Department, represented by Inspector Shanaghan .prosecuted. Respondent appeared ir> person. The President, accepting respondent's statement, said there appeared to have been an element of the worker having importuned for work and thus obtained employment at an under-rate, but respondent had derived some benefit A fine of £2, with expenses, was imposed. The worker, John Spiers, who was also charged with his share in the breach, and who is not a member of the union, did not appear. He was fined 10a. Timber Yards Union v. Wellington Steam Cooperage Company. The charge was employing an enginedriver at less than the award minimum. The Labour Department, represented by Inspector Aldridge, prosecuted. Mr. Henry Field defended. The Department's witness, the] worker concerned, deposed that he was employed not as an enginedriver, but as a fireman. The President stated that the evidence did not support the case. Dismissed. (Left sitting).

Mr. James Mills, who compiled and published Bradshaw's Guide for Otago and Southland, has arranged to publish a work on similar lines for the Wellington and Taranaki provincial districts. The new Guide, -which -will be issued next month, will contain a mass of information for travellers, and will be illustrated with photo reproductions of the most interesting places in the districts along the railway routes, with a description of each town. News agents and others aro notified by advertisement in tins issue that in future their supplies of Canterbury Times will be posted them direct from the Head Office, Christchuroh, but extra copies will bo obtainable from the Wellington Branch Office, 11 And 13, Customhouse-quay.