Heavy Damages Claimed

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7196, 30 June 1933, Page 8

Heavy Damages Claimed

MANAGERESS OF ■ TEAROOMS INJURED.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, June 29,

Damages totalling £3265 16s are being claimed by Gertrude Laura Cresswell in an action commenced in the Supreme Court to-day against the Dominion Palmers ’ Institute, Ltd. It arises out. of an acidont which befell plaintiff when acting as manageress of the defendant’s tearooms. Mr Justice Ostler is on the Bench.

According to the statement of claim plaintiff was passing through a doorway leading to the cooking room, when, owing to the defective condition of the premises, she fell down some steep wooden steps which led to the ladies’ cloakroom. It was contended on various grounds by plaintiff that the steps were dangerous and that she received severe injuries to her head and body and suffered severely from shock, concussion and acute and permanent neurasthenia. In consequence she was incapacitated from working. She claimed special damages amounting to £385 16s and £2BBO general damages. The defence was a general denial that the premises were dangerous and unsafe, and, if they were, plaintiff was responsible since, when the tearooms were being designed and constructed, ,the defendant company consulted and -deferred to the advice of plaintiff. Further it was stated that, if the premises were dangerous, which was denied, the danger was known to plainjiff and could have boen avoided by the exercise of reasonable care, and that the accident was solely attributable to the negligence of plaintiff. The Court inspected the scene of the accident and thg case is proceeding.