REMARKABLE CASE HEARD IN COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18340, 17 December 1927, Page 6

REMARKABLE CASE HEARD IN COURT.

COMPENSATION PAID TO MAN’S CHILDREN. (Special to the “ Star. *’> AUCKLAND. December 17. A remarkable case was mentioned in the Arbitration Court this imm:- , when seven children, the offspring of four separate women, claimed through their respective guardians £936 compensation in respect of the death of their father, Pene Cassidy, a bushfeJler, who was accidentally killed at Maropiu on June 9 last by a tree falling on and crushing him. Defendant was David Pcrghan. contractor of Kaihu. Mr A. G. M. Leather appeared for four of the claimants, Mr T. C. Webb for two more and Mr .T. J. Butler for, as he politely put it, “ another branch of a very prolific tree." Mr Justice Fraser (jocularly): They are seven. Mr Webb: It is just about a world’s record I should say. It was stated that Cassidv was only in his late thirties at the time of his death and there had been a prospect of his having an army of children. His Honor said that he understood the representatives of each of the children were prepared to admit the others had a claim. Counsel intimated that was so. Judgment was eventually entered for plaintiffs for the amount paid into court, £BB4, together with £lO costs. An order was made that the compensation moneys be paid to the Public Trustee. His Honor suggested that counsel should confer with the Public Trustee so that joint applications could be made to him to have the degrese of dependency assessed in each case.