LOSS OF FINGERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23662, 22 May 1940, Page 11

LOSS OF FINGERS

GIRL MACHINIST'S CLAIM The hearing of the claim of Gladys May Clomm, aged 20 (Mr. Fiulav), for damages against Mono Containers (N.Z.), Limited (Mr. West) by whom she had been employed, was continued before Mr. Justice Fair.and a jury yesterday. On May 24, 1939, while she was working a press machine, the plaintiff's right hand was caught by the descending head of it and she lost part of three fingers. Alleging that the machine was dangerous and not adequately guarded sho claimed £ISOO general and £7 Is special damages. The company, who had already paid £42 8s compensation under the Workers' Compensation Act, denied negligence and asserted that the machine had been adequately guarded. Evidence for plaintiff was continued to show that the guard of the machine had been up in a dangerous position and that girls employed on it had not been warned of its danger. Called by Mr. West, the foreman and forewoman of the defendant firm said the guard had always been kept as low as it could be and that the girls were warned not to put their hands under the guard. An independent engineer gave the opinion that the guard was an adequate and efficient one. Alter His Honor had summed up, the case was adjourned, and the jury will view the machine this morning before retiring to consider its verdict.