£3500 DAMAGES CLAIM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 123, 27 May 1942, Page 8

£3500 DAMAGES CLAIM

SEQUEL TO MAX'S SUICIDE <0.C.) WELLINGTON. Tuesday. A claim for C 3300 general damages was brought in the Supreme Court. Wellington, by Elizabeth Murdoch, widow, of Wellington executrix of the estate of William McPhee Murdoch, late of Wellington, tram conductor. deceased, against the BritishIsrael World Federation (N.Z.), Incorporated. Wellington, and Edward Elias Barrows, secretary, Wellington, as compensation for the loss of her husband. The statement of claim set out that Murdoch, on December 23, 1940. was adjusting the trolley pole of a tramcar. A motor car owned by the first-named defendant was being driven by the second-named defendant so negligently and unskilfully that it came into collision with Murdoch, jamming both his legs against the rear bumper of the tramcar. Murdoch was taken to the Wellington Hospital, where his left log was amputated. In February, 1942, he was advised that a further operation on his right leg was necessary. His physical and mental suffering continued after his discharge from hospital, and culminated, (luring a period of mental derangement, in the taking of his own life on April 10. 19 12. The statement of defence admitted that, as a result of negligence in law on the part of the second defendant, the motor car came into collision with Murdoch, but denied each and all of the several allegations contained in the statement of claim. As a further and alternative defence, defendants said the cause of death of William Murdoch was his wrongful act in committing suicide. The hearing was adjourned.