ARBITRATION COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143764, 12 April 1912, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT.

A COMPENSATION CASE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 11. Judgment in a compensation case heard by the Arbitration Court, at Napier, has been filed by Mr. Justice Sim. The plaintiff was Grace Holland, and the defendants wore Richardson and Co.. Sievort Holland, who was master of the lighter Moa, owned by Richardson and Co., was accidentally drowned at Port Ahuriri, on July 27, 1911. The lighter w r as lying alongside the wharf at Port Ahuriri ,on July 26, and it was part of deceased’s duty to inspect the lighter’s moorings each night. This ho usually did shortly before going to bed. Plaintiff alleged that the deceased mot his death while doing Iris duty, and that the accident arose-out of his employment." Evidence showed that the deceased left the steamer Ruru between midnight and 1 o’clock on July 27 and went along in the direction of the Moa. He had said he was going homq. On July 31 his body was found within a few yards of the spot where the Moa was lying on July 26. Mr. Justice Sim said that it was admitted that the drow rning was accidental, and if the facts justify such'an inference the court was entitled to Conclude that the accident arose out of and in the course of deceased’s employment, although no human being was present who oould give direct evidence how the accident happened. Deceased intended to visit the lighter on his way home, and the court inferred that deceased reached the scene of his duty and fell in while doing something in connection with the lighter. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £SOO, £2 12s costs, and disbursements and witnesses’ expenses, the widow to get £IOO for her own use, and the balance to bo paid into the court and await a further order of the court.