ARBITRATION COURT.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1867, 11 March 1913, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

A PALMERS lON SITTING.

Before Mr Justice Sim (presiding), Mr W. Scott (masters), arid Mr-J. McCullough (men). DISPUTES. Disputes were referred to the Bookbinders' and the Engine drivers' industries, and adjourned for further hearing at Wauganui. TO ADD PARTIES. Applications to add parties to existing awards were made on behalf of the bakers, the typographers, and the lithographers' and lettei press printers' awards. Several objections were put forward, and all the applications were carried over to the Wanganui sitting. COMPENSATION F'JR DEATH. The mother (Mary Anu Chalmers) and sister (Iris Hop wood ! of a late employee (named Clarence Hopwood) of Messrs A. F. Gibbs and Co.. sawmillers, of Utiku, claimed £350 compensation on account of Hopwood's accidental death. From the evidence it appeared that Hopwood's work was to work a winch which was used to assist in the hauling of trucks of logs over part of the tramway extending from the mill at Utiku over the river to the bush. Instead of residing at the whare provided for him near the winch it appeared that Hopwood boarded in Utiku. At about closing time in the evening when he was coming over tne bridge with the driver of the last trucks, the bridge gave way and Hopwood together with the driver named Pink and two horses lost their lives. Hopwood's body was never recovered, and it was not known whether his death was by drowning or by other ways. The claim was resisted on the ground that Hopwood was not at the time occupied in his employment but was merely proceeding home after work.

In reference to this point the only eye witness of the tiagedy, named William H. Walker, who was the driver of the preceding trucks said just before the accident he saw Hopwood dismount from the load and he believed he did so to release one of the brakes for the driver. Mr McLean (of Taihape) was for the plaintiffs and Mr Arrowsmith(of Taihape) for the defendant. His Honor reserved judgment.