ELECTRIC LIGHTING DANGERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8264, 24 May 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

ELECTRIC LIGHTING DANGERS.

At the London Sheriff's Court, a few days ago, Mrs. Emma Carman, of 7, Rugby Place, Kemptown, Brighton, sued the Hove Electric Light Company to recover £1000 as damages for the loss of her husband, who was killed by a shock from one of their electric wires. The defendant company were lighting a portion of Brighton by means of the electric light, and in consequence one of their wires was hung over the premises of Messrs. Abby and Hallett, brewers. The plaintiffs husband, Thomas Hill Garman, was employed there as an engineer and night watchman. On the night of July 14, 1889, he was engaged in the latter capacity, having as a portion of his duty to attend to a vat on the top of the building, over which was hung an electric wire. That wire, it was admitted, 011 the part of the defendant company, was negligently hung in a drooping position, and the deceased, in attending to the vat in question, accidentally touched the wire. The result was that the unfortunate man was killed 011 the spot by the current. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff, and awarded £800 as compensation ; £200 for the widow, and £100 for each child. Judgment was accordingly entered with costs.