DAMAGES FOR BOY'S DEATH

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13339, 30 March 1911, Page 2

DAMAGES FOR BOY'S DEATH

A District Court action, arising out of the : accident at Grace Bros.’ premises: in November last, when a boy was shot dead in the toy department, was brought before Judge Murray and a jury of four at Sydney on March 20. The proceedings were taken by Lewis Campbell, who, isrs administrator of AA’illiam K. Campbell, claimed £4OO compensation from Albert Edwtird Grace, John Neal Grace, and Juliet Grace, trading as Grace Brothers, of Broadway, Globe. In his statement of claim, the plaintiff alleged that, owing to the gross negligence of the . defendants, and their mismanagement of a shooting gallery in a place called “Toyland,” AA’illiam E. Campbell had lost his life, whereby the plaintiff had suffered considerable loss.

Mr O’Reilly (instructed by Mr J. J. Carroll) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Thomson (instructed by J. E. Baxter, Bruce, and Co.) lor the dcicudants, who pleaded not guilty, and denied the negli gcncc.

Counsel for the plaintiff, in outlining the case to the jury, said that the “defendants had many bizarre methods <u advertising their business, and one of their schemes was to have a place ol amusement for children, who paid 2d for admission. One source of amusement was a shooting gallery, and the evidence would show r that the conduct of it had been carried on in a most careless manner. A mere boy had 1 been placed in charge of it, and shooting was carried on at come yards’ distance from Die tube. On November 10 last, the deceased, who was under 11 years of age, w'as amongst a lot of other children in “Toylaud.” Some cartridges fell on the floor near the shooting tube, and young Campbell stooped down to pick them up. As he stood' up again, a shot was fired, and a bullet struck him on the right side of the head, killing him almost instantly.

Tho jury found for the plaintiff, and awarded £SO damages.