WHARF LABOURER'S DEATH.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 784, 6 April 1910, Page 8

WHARF LABOURER'S DEATH.

CLAIM AGAINST THE U.S.S. CO.

(Bj Teleeraph.—Freaa Association^ Auckland, April 5. At the Arbitration .Court to-day the widow and crippled ■ soil of a wharf lumper named Thomas Solomon, who was killed while in the employment of the-Union Steam Ship Company,'claimed £458 ss. as'compensation, representing 156 weeks' wages at £2 18s. 9d. a week. The accidont occurred in January last. Solomon was engaged on the steamer Monowai, loading cargo from a sugar barge alongside, when, in stepping backwards to attend to the unloading gear, he misjudged the distance, and fell over the side of the ship on to the bargo below. •'■ He fractured his skull aud was killed. . Mary Maria Solomon gave evidence that the earnings of her late husband had been her sole means of livelihood, and the only resources she had wherewith to provide for her crippled son. Defendants acicopted tho evidence, but it was pointed out on their behalf that an effort was made to settle the claim amicably in February, -when, plaintiffs' representative' refused to negotiate, and expressed a determination to.bring, tho case be,for tho Court. The Court considered dependency established, and awarded £458 os., with costs (less £25 already paid), to be placed into tho hands of the Public Trustee and invested by him for the benefit of the widow and the crippled son.