FISHERMAN LOST AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 15

FISHERMAN LOST AT SEA

CLAIM MADE BY WIDOW CASE SETTLED FOR £2OO A claim for £IOOO compensation against the Pioneer Trading Company, Limited, for the loss of her husband, George Wallace Barker, from the fishing vessel Maud L, in the Hauraki Gulf In February of this year, was brought in the Arbitration Court yesterday by Bangi Phoebe Barker. By consent the case was settled by an ex gratia payment of £2OO. XV. Justice O'Regan presided, and he had with him Mr. W. Cecil Prime, employers' member, and Mr. A. L. Monteith, ' employees' member. Mr. Armstrong appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Hore lor the defendant company. Mr. Armstrong said the peculiar circumstance in the case was that no one saw Barker fall overboard, and in that event it was doubtful whether a claim under the Workers' Compensation Act could succeed. The case had, therefore, been settled. Mr Horo concurred, and suggested that £IOO, less £lO for counsel's fee, should be paid to the widow for herself, and that a lurther £IOO, less £lO for counsel's fee, should he handed to the Public Trustee in respect of the two children. The Court entered judgment accordingly.