CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 158, 9 July 1935, Page 8

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

THEATRE PATRON’S FALL ( Ter ..Press Association ) CHRISTCHURCH, July 8. A claim for £1460 17s 6d by Sydney James Green against Christchurch Cinemas Ltd. was heard by Mr. Justice Northeroft in the Supreme Court today. The ca?e was t£e outcome of an .’ccident in St. James’ Theatre in April last year. Plaintiff was a patron attending an entertainment at the theatre, and he fell down a flight of steps leading to the lavatory, fracturing hi<- thigh. For plaintiff it was alleged that the steps were not lighted, and were dangerously steep, so that a person entering the doo-way was very liable to fall. For the defence it was alleged that Cl risGLi ich Cinemas had taken all possible | iecautions by providing generous lighting both at the entrance and within the lavatory. After the accident it was found when an electri-

cian made an inspection that a length of wiring had been pulied down and the lights destroyed. It was apparent it wa>al'<ged. that the damage ha.l beta done wantonly by larrikins or thieves j'_ was submitted that defendant had done everything possible short uf putting a man on guard. Defendant’s case was still incomplete when the Court rose.