John Burns Claims Heavy Damages From Power Board

Northern Advocate, 19 February 1942, Page 2

John Burns Claims Heavy Damages From Power Board

[Special to “Northern Advocate”! AUCKLAND. This Day. A writ claiming £225,188 damages against the Auckland Electric Power Board was issued yesterday by Messrs. Goldstine, O’Donnell and Wilson, solicitors for John Burns and Co., Ltd., for the damage caused to the building and stock by the fire which occurred on the company’s premises in Customs Street on August 19, 1941, the fire being caused as the result of alleged negligence on the part of the power board. Diverse breaches of statutory duty are alleged, the main allegation beingin regard to the failure of the power board to exercise its statutory obligations as set out in the respective regulations concerning electric installations. Another Claim A writ has also been issued by Mr. A. K. North, on behalf of the Public Trustee, as executor of the estate of the late Mr. Harold Francis Baker, •who died from injuries suffered while escaping from the building, claiming £4050 damages on behalf of his widow and children against John Burns and Co., Ltd., and the Auckland Electric Power Board and H. K. Brown and Company. It alleges that Mr. Baker's death was due to injuries received while trying to escape from the fire, that the fire was caused by an electrical short, and that the short occurred by reason of a breach by the power board and John Burns and Company of their statutory duties. It also alleges that H. K. Brown and Company were guilty of negligence.