KETTLE BLEW UP

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 136, 6 December 1938, Page 13

KETTLE BLEW UP

DAMAGES FOR INJURY

NO HOLES IN THE WHISTLE

(By Air Mail, from -'•The Post's" London Representative.) LONDON, November 10. The story of a kettle that should have whistled, but blew up instead, was told to Mr. Justice Stable in the King's Bench Division. Mrs. Mary Ann Sheil, Southall Green, Middlesex, sued the Midland Metal Spinning Co. Ltd., of Tower Works, Wolverhampton, claiming damages for injuries received when the kettle exploded. Mr. J. D. Cassels, K.C., for Mrs. Sheil said that on August 19 last year her husband took home a whistling kettle. Counsel held up a kettle of this kind, and the Judge asked, "Does it play a tune?" "Some do and some don't," Mr. Cassels replied. On the day of the purchase the kettle was put on the gas stove and the water boiled, but nothing else seemed to happen, counsel said. Mrs. Sheil took hold of the handle and the kettle exploded, severely scalding her on the face, and the force of the explosion knocked her husband down. Under her doctor's orders, Mrs. Sheil had to wear a linen mask for six weeks. She was unable to bite her food, and had to be fed through a tube. Her eyesight was affected and her nerves were severely shaken. Mr. Cassels explained that the kettle exploded because in this case there were no holes in the whistle attachment to let the steam out. The only issue was that of damages. Mr. Armstrong. Jones, for the defendants, called medical evidence in mitigation of damages. He said the company had admitted that the accident was its fault, and was prepared to make such amends as the Judge thought right. It had already satisfied the claim of Mr. Sheil. Mr. Justice Stable said he thought Mrs. Sheil should be awarded £450. Judgment for this sum was entered with costs.