HE WAS SKYLARKING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 187, 25 August 1937, Page 9

HE WAS SKYLARKING

Youth Loses Fingers in Works Accident C0URT DISMISSES CLAIM Eeaching a unanimous eonclusion that the accident arose out of skylarking, the Arbitration Court, sitting at Nevv Plymouth, dismissed a claim fof coitipensation by Harold Patrick Hickey against the Patea Ereezing Compauy Ltd. for the loss of -three lingers and part of the index linger of the right Uand on January 27, 1936, Leave was teserved for the defence to apply for costs. The sitting, which was held at New Plymouth, was presided over by Mr. Justice Smith, with wliom were assop.iated Mr. W. Cecil Prime, employers' representativc, and Mr A. L. Monteith, employees' representative. Mr. C. J. O'ltegan appeared for Hickey and Mr. li. H. Quilnam for the freezing coiapany. Hickey was totally incapacitatcd froiu January 27 to July 13, it was stated. He had been paid £37 compenaation, for which he gave eredit. He claimed £1 14/3 a week for the period of total incapacity, 24.3a a week for the period between July 13 and the ilate of the trial, and 24.3s for the roruuining period of liabillty. Tlie accident occurred in the fellmongery department, said Mr. O Tlegan. About 1 p.m., having had his lunch, llickoy went towards a tap to which a hose was attached and squirted a jet of , water at Ilobert Hills, a fellowemployce. He then had a drink at another tap in the vicinity, hut in the meantime Hilla crepfc round behind some "dollies" with the object -of Teaching the hose unlcnown to Hiekey and squirted him in retaliation. After walking uway from the tap a i'cw feet Hickey was siinultaneously struck on the face by a drop of acid from a fleshing machine and by a jet of water from the hose. Tlie floor was sliray and he slipped. Instinctively he put out his right haud, which was caught in tho inachinery, which stopped. The hand, however, could not he released for about 20 minutes. Hickey wus on his way to resume hts worlc at the time and it was therefore contended by Mr. O'Eegan that the accident arose in the couvbo of his employment.