ARBITRATION COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8306, 10 June 1907, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT.

TO-DAY'S SITTINGS

The Arbitration Court: resumed its local sittings at noon to-day. His Honor Mr Justice Sim presided, with him were Messrs S. Brown (employers representative), and R. Slater (employees' representative). The business consisted of a number of

COMPENSATION CASES

In re Cunninghame (Mr Haggitt) v. Cameron and Kilgour, a claim tor £300 as compensation for permanent injuries received while cutting scrub on a hill. Mr Cooke appeared for the respondent last named, and stated that it had been agreed to pay plaintiff the sum of £150 in full satisfaction of the claim, costs, etc. Counsel asked the Court, however, for an indemnity against Cameron before the sum was handed over. His Honor made an order as to the compensation as agreed upon between the parties, and also granting the indemnity. CLAIM FOR DAMAGE TO HAND.

Henry Goodin, of Feilding (Mr Carty) asked for payment of the sum of £200 as compensation for injuries to his left hand. The respondents were Thomas Stuart, of Awahuri (Mr Haggitt), Caroline Stuart (Mr Sandiland), and Robert Phillips (Mr Graham). . , , . The application tor arbitration put in by claimant set out that he was a laborer and, on February Bth last, was employed cutting firewood by respondent Phillips, a contractor, who, on his part, was employed by the respondents Stuart. Claimant was feeding a circular saw when one of the other workmen, it was alleged, in putting more wood on the bench, Knocked his left hand on to the saw. As a result, his thumb was severed and the fingers so severely cut that the first finger had since had to be amputated, and the arm itself was shrinking. At the time of the accident claimant was earning £2 5s per week and board, while since, he said, he had been totally incapacitated. The loss of the thumb and first finger would prevent him ever resuming his occupation of blacksmithing, and would debar him from ordinary farm work. Doctor Wilson described the nature of the injuries received by claimant, and said that for some time to come his work would be greatly interfered with. After a while, of course, the rest of the hand would become educated to perform the duties that should have fallen to those that were removed. The claimant, Henry Goodin, after stating that, at the time of the accident, he was employed by respondent Phillips in working on the other respondent's property at Awahuri, described how he came to be forced on to the saw and lose his thumb and first finger. He said he was now unable to do blacksmith's work (his own trade) or general farm jobs such as milking, sheep shearing or the like. Claimant detailed a conversation he had had at Feilding with respondent Phillips, when the latter allegedly promised to pay half wages and expenses during the period he was unable to work. He had also understood from Mr Stuart that he and Phillies were going to compensate him for the injuries.

To Mr Graham: He had, just before the accident, relieved Mr Phillips at the saw, but could not remember being warned by him to be ca.reful. He was prepared to swear that his arm was knocked on to the saw by another employee named Masters. He had placed his hand on the saw bench, in an endeavour to clear away an accumulation of chips, and was just pulling it back when a piece of wood struck him and caused the accident. It was necesary to clear the bench when splintery wood was being cut. Re-examined: The saw bench in use was provided with no appliances to prevent accident. At the time they were rushing things on a bit, Stuart's men making the pace. (Left sitting.)