£3045 CLAIMED

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1929, Page 1

£3045 CLAIMED

FOR BOY’S INJURY

BY A MACHINE,

ijly Telegraph-—Per Press Association.)

GISBORNE, Nov. 20

Evidence was given that plaintiff, who was fourteen years of ago, entered the employment of defendants, who are butchers.

The plaintiff lad, in -evidence, said that while using a mincing machine, he noticed there was still some meat round the edge, so he shifted the belt over to the loose pulley, and put his hand down into the machine to scrape the meat off, as he had boon shown by bis employer. While doing this, the belt jumped back on to the fixed pulley and the blades cut off four fingers of bis right hand.

Evidence was given by the lad’s father and the Inspector of Factories that they visited the scene after the accident, put the machine in motion, and pusliqd the belt on to the loose pulley, but after a few minutes it ran on to the fixed pulley, and operated the machine.

The defendant, Fletcher, said ho had explained to the lad how to use the plunger of the machine, and had warned him half a dozen times against putting his hand near the worm of the machine. He had told the lad never to put his hand in the cup, and always to use a wooden wedge when changing trays. Witness saw the lad in. thq hospital, and the latter said that in trying to knock off the meat in the cup, lie was caught. Defendant alleged plaintiff admitted that he had not used the rammer. When the lad’s father visited witness, the latter, in giving a demonstration, was surprised to see the belt slip over and start the machine. That had never occurred prior to the accident.

After medical evidence, the case foi the defence concluded, and iurthei hearing was adjourned till to-morrow.