SHIPMASTERS' LIABILITY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12410, 6 January 1910, Page 7

SHIPMASTERS' LIABILITY.

AN IMPORTANT DECISION

• (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 5. Judgment was delivered by Jud°-e Mwards to-day in the case in which tiievord shipping line appealed against the decision of Mr Kettle, S.M.. in the case of appellants against the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, arising out of a provision in the Shipping and beamen s Act, that when seamen on a Home or inter-colonial trade ship is left ashore by reason of accident or sickness* the master shall deposit the wages dae, and sufficient to cover the costs of maintenance, attendance in the public hospital. In this case, the injured seaman went to a private hospital. Appellants therefore claimed a refund of the deposit with, exception of the wages due. Judge Edwards said appellants- contended that no seaman could benefit by statute unless he became an inmate of a public hospital. The contest really turned on whether any deduction con Id be made under the heading "medical and living expenses." He held that this was fatal to appellants/ who knew that the Superintendent intended to held them liable for "medical and livinoexpenses." He addsd that the clause was so ill worded that the Marine Department should obtain a conclusive adjudication from the Court of Appeal.