LAD INJURED ON GUMFIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 11

LAD INJURED ON GUMFIELD.

WEEKLY PAYMENT AWARDED. A claim for compensation for injuries ca-used by an accident on the gurctfields was made by Antorno Pitooi, gumvrorker, by his guardian ad litem, Joseph I'itoui (Mr. Sellar), storekeeper, of Red Hill, near Te Kopuru, against Thomas Jones and Francis A. Jones, gum merchants (Mr. Ostler). The plaintiff, aged 16, said he had been employed at Is 6d an hour for five weeks previous to September 29. On that date he was injured by a falling gum screen, his left arm and shoulder being totally incapacitated for over 17 weeks. He claimed £52 12s 6d for his period of total incapacitation and £124 18s 5d for his permanent injury. The defence was a complete denial of the accident. After hearing a great deal of evidence the Court decided that the plaintiff had established his case, but stated there was a good deal of conflict in the evidence. Allowance had to be made, however, for the lapse of time and the want of memory on both sides and the fact that the boy liad given his evidence in a manner that appeared honest. The boy's average weekly earnings before the accident were £3 "s 6d. The Court therefore mado an order for £1 17s Id per week—being 55 pei' cent, of the average weekly earnings from the date of the accident till date of hearing—and a further ordeT for £1 17s Id until the order was suspended, diminished, or increased by the Court. The plaintiff was allowed £15 15s costs, plus witness' expenses and disbursements.