UNSAFE SAFETY MATCHES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXII, Issue 224, 14 October 1897, Page 4

UNSAFE SAFETY MATCHES.

A curious action to recover damages for personal injuries was heard lately at the Bromley (Kent) County Court. A Beokenham resident sued a grocer of the same place for £50 damages for injuries sustained through the ignition of a bos of "safety" matches warranted to strike only on the box. The matches were purchased from defendant's shop m April last, and when plaintiff was m the act of opening a box the matohes suddenly ignited, inflicting such injuries that for six weeks she was incapacitated from oarrying on her business. The matches, some of whioh were produced m Court, were of Swedish make, of the "Windmill" brand, and were supplied to the defendant by Messrs Bryant and May, it being explained on the firm's behalf that they did oooasionally supply foreign matches m this way, but only "to oblige a customer." For the defence it was urged that the term "safety matohes" was only a trade designation, and implied uo legal warranty. His Honor held, however, that "safety matohes" had come to be generally considered as matches striking only on the box, and therefore as being safe m that respect. The way m which these matohes had ignited was quite inconsistent with such a description. He gave judgment for £21 10s, with costs on the soale between £20 and £50.

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