TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

Il’BK I'ltlSMS ASSOC *TiON . —COPYRIGHT.J

WORKERS COMPENSATION. DUNEDIN, May 25,

Tlio Arbitration Court to-day gave its decision oil a claim by lan Lath-id Marshall, by his guardian A. I). Litem, v., the New Zealand Coal and Oil Co., Ltd. Plaintiff is a lad of 17, and it was admitted that he met with an accident arising out of or in the course of his employment by the defendants, as a result of which he suffered the total loss of his left eye.

The question submitted for the Court was whether compensation was to lie assessed under the provisions of Section 8 of the Workers Compensation Act 1908 ,it being contended tV) r the defendants that, by virtue of Section 4 of the Amending Act ol 1913, Section 9, of the original act was excluded from operation in the case of a minor where injury resulted in permanent partial incapacitation. With this contention the Court did not a'gree. The President stated: —lt is clear that Section 4 of the Amending Act cannot be construed as a self-contained and complete code lor the assessment of compensation for injuries to minors, re ; suiting in permanent, partial, or total incapacitation. The Court, therefore ruled that the plaintiff was entitled to compensation,on the basis of his average earnings to bo ascertained as provided under Section 4 of the Amending Act for the period of total incapacitation, and further to a lump sum in accordance with Section 8 of the Act for the loss of his eye.

SUPREME COURT. TIMARU, May 25

At the Supreme Court, the Grand Jury returned true bills in all three cases submitted to them. Two men who had pleaded guilty were dealt with.

Albert C. Lamb, who broke from prison at Timaru, while waiting for trial in a charge of theft, of which, when tried lie was found not guilty, was now brought up on his plea of guilty to prison breaking.

His counsel pointed out that as he had been acquitted of the charge in which be was detained in prison, the charge of breaking did not lie. His Honour agreed and ordered a discontinuance of proceedings. Edward Ellis Stewart, of the s.s. Coiinthic, was charged with stealing an overcoat from the shop of Mr J. Craigie when the steamer was in Timaru. He wfts acquitted.the only evidence against him being that the coat was found in his bunk at Wellington and be denied all knowledge of it. Two other members of the same crew, 1,. I. Valentine, V. W. L. Ellis were charged with thefts of an overcoat and doormat. The lattei' was lound at the Customhouse, which was broken into the same night. The jury disagreed and a new trial will be held. The Chinese fruit shop raids come on this morning.