BABY’S FOOT BURNT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 10 November 1926, Page 5

BABY’S FOOT BURNT.

LANDLORDS ’ RESPONSIBILITIES. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. (BY TEI.EGBAPH CRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 10. A very unusual case came before fhe Supreme Court, Avhen W. C. Irwin, a bookbinder, sued Thomas and Ada Hannah, boardinghouse-keepers, for damages, on account of injuries received by an infant son, 17 months old. Plaintiff, his Avifc, and their child, were hoarding Avitk defendants at Otaki in January, 1924. While the child's mother was preparing a bath for him, he went into the yard, trod on some hoi ashes, and his feet Averc so severely burned that a number of operations were required, and in the end all his toes had to be removed. It was stated that hospital expenses of £lsl were incurred. Besides this amount £750 Avas claimed as special damages, on the ground that defendants should have kept the yard in a fit pnd safe condition. For the defence, it avus claimed that the child, being an infant, Avas in the custody of its mother, and it Avas her business to keep him out of danger; also, that it Avas an implied term of the contract for board and lodging that the child would be taken only so long as its parents guarded it. Judgment Avas reserved.