COMPENSATION CLAIM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 7

COMPENSATION CLAIM.

Sequel to Amputation of a Leg.

A compensation claim, partly heard at Greymouth on November 28 last, was continued before the Arbitration Court—Mr Justice Frazer (president), Mr A. L. Monteith (employees’ representative) and Mr W. Cecil Prime

‘employers’ representative)—at Christchurch to-day. The plaintiff in the action was Francis William Murphy, labourer, of Runanga, and the defendant the State Coal Mines Department. For the plaintiff it was submitted that while working at the State collieries at* Runanga as a lamp cleaner and fan attendant on October 31, 1933, Murphy injured his left leg. but he continued working till March 2, 1934. He suffered muscular wasting of the left leg, and finally the limb was amputated at Lewisham Hospital, Christchurch. It was contended that the necessity for amputation was due to the injury by accident. The Department of State Coal Mines denied liability to pay compensation, and therefore plaintiff, whose average weekly earnings had been not less than £4 6s Bd, claimed a weekly payment of £2 17s lOd as from the date of the accident until the hearing of his claim; a weekly payment of £2 3s 4*d for the remainder of the period of liability; costs of the action and such further relief as the Court considered just. The statement of defence set out that plaintiff was employed at Rewanui and not Runanga, and denied liability to pay compensation. Mr P. J. O’Regan appeared for plaintiff. and Mr F. A. Kitchingham for defendant. (Proceeding.)