CLAIM FAILS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1933, Page 2

CLAIM FAILS

WIDOW SEEKS COMPENSATION.

HUSBA(ND’S DEATH AT KARAMEA.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WESTPORT, May 23.

The Court pf Arbitration was engaged all day in hearing a .compensation ease aginst the Crown, whon Nora'h Williamson, of Christchurch, the widow of Captain Williamson, late Harbourmaster at Karamea, sought to •recover £832 as compensation for her husband’s death in Karamea in July last. The case presented several very unusual features, the decased having been found under the flagstaff dead, with hi 6 left leg blown off as the result of an oxplosion which had demolished a small building in which the harbour accessories were kept. The evidence showed that the deceased, in the course of his duty, assisted the' officials of the Public Works Department is blasting logs in the river, but it was otherwise no part ■of his duty to handle or use the explosives. The defence was that deceased had committed suicide.

The Court held th a suicide was not proved, and that the presumption was against it, but the Court held further that the suppliant had failed to show that the accident had occurred in the course of her husband’s employment, and that in the absence of some evidence the Court, could not speculate as to the cause of the. explosion. Accordingly, the judgment would be for the Crown.