COLLAPSE OF A WORKER

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1932, Page 7

COLLAPSE OF A WORKER

CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION COURT’S FINDING FOR THE WIDOW. JUDGE COMMENTS ON THE LAW. By Telegraph.—-Brew: Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The death of. a relief worker, Christopher Dalwood, formerly in the employ of the Christchurch City Corporation, was the subject of a compensation claim'in the Arbitration Court today. Dalwood collapsed and died while at work spreading screenings during) street repair works. A post mortem examination revealed a weak heart, and there was evidence that some time before his death Dalwood had had giddy turns. Dr. Pearson, who conducted the post mortem, said Dalwood’s work had been a factor in causing his death, the man having a badly diseased and dilated heart. With his heart in that condition death could possibly have occurred while the man was in bed or walking about. Medical evidence for the defence was that the man was in such a that he might have died while resting. In giving judgment Mr. Justice Frazer said: “It seems clear from th© medical evidence that this man in any event could not have lived more than a few weeks or months, yet as th© law stands his case is the same as that of a sound and healthy man who died as th© result'of a ton of bricks falling on him.”

The weekly earnings of Dalwood were not accurately ascertained, but. His Honour gave judgment for the widow, leaving the amount of payment to be determined after the exact amount of the earnings was known.