CHEMICAL FACTORY ACCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 23270, 19 May 1939, Page 3

CHEMICAL FACTORY ACCIDENT

WORKMAN AWARDED £316 [Pek United Press Association.] WANGANUI, May Damages amounting to £316 lls 7d were awarded by the jury in the Supreme Court at Wanganui to-day to a workman who, when a fire occurred in the sulphur fumes at Messrs Kempthornc, Prosser, and Co.’s chemical factory at Aramoho on April 23. 1937. jumped from an upstairs landing 60ft to 60ft to the sulphur-strewn concrete floor below, and was injured. The jury added a rider expressing the opinion that the elevator machine in use at the works could be improved. Mr Justice Ostler remarked that counsel would, no doubt, bring the rider to the notice of his clients.

The claim arose from a fire which allegedly occurred when sparks Hew from a pawl and ratchet wheel, striking against each other during the time when a gang of men was endeavouring to replace a slipped belt. It was agued for the defence that the factory had been periodically inspected by the Government inspector and the plant passed as safe for use. The plaintiff was Michael M'Renna, a labourer, aged 53. of Wanganui. During the hearing a model of the sulphur elevator was on view, and the jury inspected the actual elevator at the works.