WATERSIDER’S CLAIM

Evening Star, Issue 19634, 13 August 1927, Page 6

WATERSIDER’S CLAIM

ACTION AGAINST UNION COMPANY CRUSHED UNDER IRON PLATES Hearing was continued in the Supremo Court this morning of the ease in which John Hector Williamson claimed £1,750 as damages from the Union Company for injuries sustained by plaintiff (who was employed as a hatchman) in an accident on the steamer Corinna at Dunedin on Juno 22, 1925, negligence being alleged against the company, in that a rope sling was used instead of a chain sling to hoist aboard the vessel some iron plates which fell on the plaintiff. Mr F. B. Adams appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr H. E. Barrowclougii for the defendant company. Yesterday afternoon Dr W. Marshall Macdonald" said he had examined the plaintiff. The left thumb was deformed as a result of setting after the accident, and he could not grip properly with it. There was no marked local disability in the back. While he might suffer a permanent tendency to backache, lie had made a > good recovery. The injuries the plaintiff had sustained would affect the man's future earnings, perhaps to the extent of 30 per cent. Dr Moody gave similar evidence. He considered the man’s capacity lor work had been reduced by_one-third. Samuel Harding, waterside worker, said that when bar iron was being placed on hoard witness asked Captain King: “Where is the chain sling for this job?” Captain King looked about, picked up a rope sling, and said: “This will do.” When the girders were being slung the .same rope was used by Captain King’s orders. Witness then asked the hatchman for chain slings, but they were not obtainable. About ten minutes were spent in looking for chains. After tin girders had been put on hoard tho plates were shine, being protected hv Ijag packing. When the plates were lifted they caught between the guy and the stay. Plaintiff called out In clear the wagnu out of the way. and shortly afterwards the plates camo down. To Mr Barrowclougii; Plaintiff was always told off as hatchman. That was because of his experience. Working for the Union Company, the hatchman was not the boss. On the oversea boats the haichman was the boss. Evidence in support of the claim was also given by a number of watersiders and Archibald Campbell (secretary of the Port Chalmers Watersider” Union). This morning furl her evidence was called by Mr Adams, who concluded his case. Tile court adiourned till Mond-iy morning, when Mr Barrowclougii will present the case for the defence.