TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1922, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[hy telegraph—ter press association.)

COMPENSATION Cl -AIM. WELLINGTON, March 25

In driving a, motor at excessive speed whilst in pursuem-c of his employees business, does a man m the eyes of the law commit, a breach of the. regulations which places him outside the sphere of his employment," This is a: question which the Arbitration Court has to decide in connection with a compensation chum for £750 heard yesterday. The action was brought hv the Public Trustee, m the estate of Herbert Markham Wright deceased, against the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Company. It was set forth in the statement of claim that deceased died about October 4th.. 1921, as the result of an. accident at the Hutt. whilst in the employment „f Defendant Company. Deceased left a. widow and two children. Him average weekly earnings were £6 14s. The defence was that the accident occurred at, a, time when the deceased was not in any way employed by tho defendant Company. The Society further contended that the fatality even if it occurred in' the course of employment, was caused by the fact that Wrigjit was intoxicated at the time and was driving a motor cycle at a speed excessive of that provided T the law of the local authority. It was also maintained that at the time of death, Wright’s earnings were at a, rate exceeding four hundred per annum. After evidence had been heard, the Court reserved its decision.