COMPENSATION FOR LOST HUSBAND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11605, 12 April 1912, Page 2

COMPENSATION FOR LOST HUSBAND.

(Pee Peess Association.)

Wellington, April 11

Judgment in the compensation case heard Ijy the Arbitrtion Court at Napier lias been filed by Mr Justile Sim. Plaintiff was Grace Holland, "wife of Sievert Holland, and the defendants were Richardson and Co. Sievert Holland, who was master of the lighter Moa, owned by Richardson and Co., was accidentally drowned at Port Ahuriri 011 July 27tli, 1911. The lighter was lying alongside the wharf at Port Ahuriri on July 26th, and it was part of deceased's duty to inspect the lighter's moorings each night. This he usually did shortly going to bed. Plaintiff alleged that deceased met his death doing his duty, and that the accident arose out of his employment.

The evidence showed that deceased left the steamer Ruru between midnight and one o'clock on July 27th and went along in the direction of the Moa. He had said he was going home. 'On July 31st his body was found within a fewyards of the spot- where the Moa was lying on Jiily 26tli. Judge Sim said it was admitted that the drowning was accidental, and if the facts justify such inference the Court was entitled to conclude that the accident arose out of and in the course of deceased's employment, although 110 human being was present who could give direct evidence how the accident happened. Deceased intended to visit the lighter on his way home, and tlie Court inferred that deceased reached the scene of his duty and fell, in while doing something 111 connection with the lighter. -Judgment was given for plaintiff for £SOB, costs £2 12s, and disbursements, and witnesses' expenses, the. widow to get £IOO for her own use, and the balance to be paid into Court, to await tlio further order of the Court.