CRICKET CLUBS MAY BE FORCED TO BE INSURED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 99, 17 February 1950, Page 3

CRICKET CLUBS MAY BE FORCED TO BE INSURED

New Zealand ci'icket clubs, even to the Bay of Plenty may soon be urged to take insurance cover against a passer-by outside the cricket field. It may seem strange but it is true, nevertheless. Started In 1947 It alS' started way back in August, 1947, when a ball from the ground of the Cheetham, Manchester, Cricket Club, hit 53-year-old Miss Bessie Stone as she stood at her gate. She sued the club and now Cheetham, with less funds than £l5O, are wondering how they can pay for that lusty six. At Manchester Assizes Miss Stone’s action for damages on the grounds of negligence and nuisance failed. She appealed, and now a majority of the Lords Justices of the Court of Appeal have upheld her appeal. Judgment has been entered for damages provisionally fixed at £lO4 plus costs. The total of damages and costs may be as much as £BOO. It is possible the action will go even higher and be settled in the House of Lords. If the legal test match reaches this stage, total cost of the hit, it is estimated, will be around £5,000. A club member said: “To go to the Lords we will need financial backing and plenty of it. This is a matter of great importance to all cricketers. Liable for Damages “It means that anybody who makes a big hit out of a ground and injures a passing person is liable to heavy damages.” In the Appeal Court Lord Justice Singleton and Lord Justice Jenkins both thought Miss Stone’s action should succeed. Lord Justice Somervell dissented.

He suggested the case might be taken to the House of Lords, because it was of interest to many concerned with cricket.