WORKER'S CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 224, 20 September 1940, Page 4

WORKER'S CLAIM.

FOR SKIN TROUBLE. AN UNUSUAL CASE. An unusual claim came before Mr. Justice O'Regan to-day in the Compensation Court when Frederick Jamee Davie, mechanic (Mr. Dickson) proceeded against MacEwan's Machinery, Ltd. (Mr. Goldstine) for compensation for a cancerous condition of the ekin on his hands which he alleged was induced by the nature of his employment. Mr. Dickson said the claimant had worked eight , years for the defendant company as a braee finisher, leaving that I employment in September, 1930.

Hie Honor: That is four years ago.' Why is the case, only brought now ? . Coiinsel: Claimant went to counsel and saw doctors, and the trouble suffered by claimant, a cancer of the skin, is one which takes time to develop. Turning Of Brass. Mr. Dickson went on to explain that part of the claimant's work was the turning of braes castings. These castinge were particularly hard, and he several times complained of the alloy mixture which made the castings so hard, without getting any satisfaction. In the turning of these eastings the hot splinters fell on his hands and the side of his face, raising blisters. There was n mineral oil used in this cutting process. He tried wearing gloves, but found it was not practical to always use gloves at the job. Eventually he saw a doctor about the condition of the skin on his hands, and was advised to get another job. Thie he had done, getting eome lower paid work. The splinters from a softer alloy in turning were not so hot. It would appear from medical evidence, said Mr. Dickson, that the claimant had a skin cancer ae a result of the hot brass burnings. Some persons were particularly susceptible to euch trouble, the claimant l>eing one. of them. It was suggested that the hard brass castings, combined with the mineral oil used in the process, had set up the condition which had not occurred before such hard castings were used. He claimed for the difference between his pay as a brase finisher and his present pay as a tram conductor. Evidence Of Complainant. Claimant gave evidence on the. lines set out by counsel. Cross-examined by Mr. Goldetine, witness said he started hie apprenticeship as a braes finisher and had worked at that trade for 20 years, the last eight years of that time with defendant company. His claim was for 6/3 a week, tlie difference between his present pay and that which he had received as a brass finisher. The. ease is proceeding.