CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 8

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

DEATH OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEE VERDICT FOR DEFENDANTS (Per United Press Association; HASTINGS, Aug. 9. A verdict in favour of the defendants was returned by the jury in the Supreme Court at Napier late this afternoon in an action for £3312 damages brought by the Public Trustee as administrator in the estate of the late Richard Hamilton Paap, railway employee, of Napier, against Donald Mouat. motor truck driver, of Takapau, and William Martin Mouat, of Takapau. carrier. The claim arose out of a collision between a motor lorry driven by the defendant Donald Mouat and a railway motor "jigger" and trailer on the level crossing at the junction of the Taradale embankment roads, Napier, on January 20, as the result of which Paap, who was travelling on the " jigger." had been killed. Mr Justice Johnston presided. The foreman handed to his Honor a rider —" That it should be brought to the notice of the New Zealand Railways Department that drivers of ' jiggers,' particularly motor 'jiggers.' should be made fully conversant with the rules and regulations governing the use of vehicles, and that these jiggers should be placed under the control of competent supervision regarding their efficiency. " I will see that this recommendation is forwarded to the proper authorities," commented his Honor, in thanking members of the jury for their services.