COMPENSATION CLAIMS FOR FISHERMAN’S DEATH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6756, 8 November 1928, Page 2

COMPENSATION CLAIMS FOR FISHERMAN’S DEATH

ON BEHALF OF RELATIVES. Per Press Association, CHRISTCHURCH, Nov.. 7. The circumstances of a peculiar case were unfolded in the Arbitration Cou*t this morning before Mr. Justice Fraser. The action arose out of an incident on November 22, 1927, when the fishing boat Dolly was blown out to sea from Auckland and lost, taking to thoif deaths Thomas ‘Hook and John Henry Maslcn. Hook was in the employ of Maslen in a fishing expedition, receiving a wage of £5 a week. Action was taken by yLouis Daniel Cossil, of Auckland, farmer, in his capacity as guardian of the children of the lato Thomas Hook. Plaintiff claimed that Thomas Hook met his death while working in the service of Joseph Henry Maslen, and asked that the Court should grant such compensation as the trial should show proper.

The defendant cited was Charles Frederick Maslen, of Auckland, executor of the will of the late Joseph Henry Maslen. Defendant denied that Thomas Hook was employed by Maslen to go to sea in the Dolly or that he was ift Maslen’s service in any way. An unexpected .turn, came when a further claim was made by Mrs. Sarah Ann Hook, of Christchurch, widow of the deceased but not the mother of the children named in the claim.

The case proper will be heard in Court at Auckland. Mrs. Hook’s evidence was taken this morning.