£1000 FOR WIDOW

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1931, Page 3

£IOOO FOR WIDOW

COMPENSATION CLAIM

<By Telegraph—Ter Tress Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, July 8. The death from heart failure of a

tramway motorman, Albert Ernest Moorhonse, during the course of his employment, and allegedly arising out of his employment, was the basis of a claim under the AVorkers’ Compensation Act, heard in the Arbitration Court to-day.

Elizabeth Jane AVright Moorliouse, widow, claimed l from the Christchurch Tramway Board compensation. It was claimed that when Moorliouse was stooping to sweep the floor of a car, his arteiies were so affected that he died of heart failure, or apoplexy.

The evidence of medical men, and of fellow employees of Moorhouse wits to the effect that Moorhouse had suffered from heart disease; that die had previously suffered extreme distress, causing .a collapse, after, having, ridden a bicycle to work against the wind; that he had had to be off duty because of illness following- this incident; that lie had returned to work without a doctor’s. certificate; that his death had followed a seizure which came ; upon him after he had swept out a car after his day’s work. In his judgment,,,His Honour said that the original heart strain had occurred , outside. Moorhouse’s employment, and; his working life, if not actually ended by that strain, had been shortened .by it. When a man was in such a condition, exertion was far more likely tp bring on a final collapse of the heart. The law on the mattei v tvas in a : peculiar position. It meant that if a man was. suffering from disease and died while doing some trifling little job in the course of his employment, even though he would die in any case within a month, he was entitled to full compensation. It did seem absurd that the same compensation should be payable for a man almost on the point of death as for a man killed by an yyccident' ni the course of; his work. That was the law, however, and the Court had to administer it.

. Judgment was for -.plaintiff for £IOOO with costs.