Arbitration Court.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 372, 25 June 1903, Page 5

Arbitration Court.

The following cases were heard before the Arbitration Court at Dunedin on Monday last :- CHUESTAIN V THE KOHINOOR GOLD DREDGING CO. A claim for compensation. Mr F R Chapman for the claimant, and Mr Sim for the company. Mr Chapman said the case had been made a little difficult by the death of the claimant, Mrs Churstain. Evidence had previously been taken before the court as to the defendants, who were now only two, a daughter aged 18 and a boy at school. There had been at the time no proof of the manner of death (the cause of the claim), which had occurred from a dredge on the West Coast, and before the court could meet again Mrs Churstain died, and it waß difficult to see what claim could be supported on behalf of her estate. He had filed a motion to make the administrator party to the proceedings. He was the nearest person to a guardian to these children, and in the meantime the company had offered £l 5O to settle the whole case. He had advised that this sum be accepted if the court sanctionei it.

His Honor said the court would make a special order that, the c'aimant having died, the brother, William James Churstain, be substituted as party to the proceedings as guardian to the two defendants, and that the sum of £l5O, the amount of compensation agreed upon, be paid to William James Churstain for the benefit of the two defendants. £35 as costs of the proceedings to be deducted from above amount. • HUGHES V UNITY GOLD DBEDGING COMPANY,

Mr Qilkison said the amount of compensation claimed, £4OO, had been pai.l into court, so the only matter remaining to decide was the apportionment between the widow and four children. An order was made that one third of the fund be retained by the widow, as a dependent, for her own absolute use and benefit, the remaining twothirds to be applied by her to th©/support, education, and maintenance ssf the children; Peter James Hughes to , enter into a bond for the proper a|i, ministration of the award.