COURT OF ARBITRATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14800, 6 April 1910, Page 2

COURT OF ARBITRATION.

, -«■ ' DEPENDENTS' SUCCESSFUL. ' CLAIM. . AUCKLAND, April 5. At the Arbitration Court to-day the widow and crippled son of a wharf lumper named Thomas Solomon, 'who was killed while in the employment of the Union Steamship Company, claimed £458 5s as compensation, representing 156 weeks' wages at £2 18s 9d a! week. The accident occurred in January last. Solomoir was • engaged on • the steamer. Monowai loading cargo from a sugar barge alongside, when, in stepping backwards to attend, to ; the unloading gear, he misjudged the distance, fell over the side of the ship on to the barge below, fractured'his skull, and was killed. Mary : Maria Solomon gave evidence that the' earnmgs of her late husband had been her sole means of livelihood, and the only resources she had whorowith' to provide for Her crippled son. Defendants accepted the evidence, ■ but it was pointed out on their behalf that an effort was made in February to settle the claim amicably, when plaintiff's representative refused to negotiate and expressed a determination to bring the case before the court. The court considered dependency established:, and awarded £458 5s with costs, less £25 already paid, to be placed in the hands of the Public Trustee and invested by him for the benefit of the widow and crippled son.