DEATH OF WORKMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 2 July 1929, Page 14

DEATH OF WORKMAN.

'accidentally poisoned.

WIDOW SEEKS COMPENSATION

FAILURE OF THE CLAIM

[nV TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CimiSTCnUIiCII. Monday.

A claim for £IOOO compensation on account of ilie death of her husband was made in tho Arbitration Court to-day by Caroline Marian Shurrock against Henry Francis Stevens, who was deceased's employer. It was claimed that on August 23 last Shurrock, while engaged at the defendant's establishment, accidentally drank some hydrochloric acid in mistake for liine juice. lie died on November 26. Mr. A. T. Donnelly appeared for plaintiff and Mr. J. 11. Upham, with him Mr. A. S. Nicholls, for defendant. Mr. Donnelly said tho solo question was whether tho accident arose in (he course of or out of Shnrrock's employment. The other matters were not in dispute. On the day in question Shurrock was engaged in washing bottles on the ground floor in company with a man named Phipps. It was the custom to use spirits of salts to clean bottles that were difficult to cleanse. The employees were provided with limo juice freo for drinking purposes. This was kept beneath the tub at which Shurrock wus working. Ho stooped down, picked up the bottle there, poured some of its contents into a mug on tho bench arid drank it. It was not certain whether tho acid was in tho bottle or in the mug. The defence was a denial that Shurrock died as tho result of an accident suffered while in Stevens' employ. After evidence had been heard and the members of tho Court had considered the matter tho president, Mr. Justice Frazer, announced that it was the opinion of the majority of the Court that there was no proof that the poison came from the bottlo of hydrochloric acid, which was the only "official" poison there. Judgment was given for defendant.