CASE SETTLED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 121, 18 November 1931, Page 14

CASE SETTLED

LABOURER'S CLAIM

Upon the case between John Gockburn, liliourer, of Masterton, and the Masterton County Council being called in the Supreme Court yesterday for the hearing of further evidence, counsel announced that they had conferred and had arranged ..a settlement.

The action was commenced on Monday. Coekburn alleged negligence against the 'county council, and claimed damages at common law, or, alternatively, compensation under the Workers' Compensation 4ct, for injuries received by him as a result of a fall of gravel in a gravel pit in which he was working in the Masterton county. By consent' yesterday the action so far as it was based.on alleged negligence was dismissed without costs. Compensation under the Workers' Compensation Act was. assessed by consent at £150, and judgment was entered for plaintiff for that amount against the defendant, also without costs. Counsel for the defendant said that liability to pay workers' compensation was always admitted by the county council, and certain payments had already been made. The effect of the', judgment was that.-.the employees of the council against whom negligence .was alleged in the proceedings were freed from those allegations. Mr. Justic MacGregor entered judgment in terms of the arrangement between the parties. " "I don't know that I need say anything," said his Honour, "except from what I have heard of the evidence I think counsel on both sides are wise in coming to the satisfactory settlement they have arrived at."