SPECIALISTS DIFFER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 620, 23 March 1929, Page 13

SPECIALISTS DIFFER

MINER’S EYE INJURED COMPENSATION CLAIMED ICye strength required for work underground was discussed when a miner claimed compensation for an injury in the Arbitration Court yesterday. Walter Hellier, a coal miner, claimed compensation from Pukemiru Collieries, Ltd., because of an injury to his right eye. Hellier claimed that lie had been totally disabled from February 10, when a fragment of coal entered his eye, until May 2, 1928. Before the accident ho had earned, on an average, £6 18s 5d a week, but, on resuming, his weekly earnings had not exceeded £4 5s 7d. He said his earning capacity had been reduced permanently. Helliew admitted that he had been paid £9(V compensation through the accident, br.it he sought a further weekly payment of £1 14s 2d, with costs, for the remainder of the period of liability.

The defence, conducted by Mr. R. D. Bagnall, xnaintained that the earning power of the miner had not been reduced, but Mr. P. J. O’Regan, of Wellington, contended that Hellier had had a losai in the industrial use of the eye. Dr. Gillies Borrie, in evidence, said that Hellier’s Binocular vision had been impaired, aind the use of his eyesight would be greatly restricted. Hellier’s earning capacity for working underground in poor light must have been reduced.

To Mr. Bagnall, Dp. Borrie said that his examination had been confined to central vision.

Involved discussion centred on the visions required for certain classes of work. Mr. Bagnall reatl a list of the names of miners with eyesight who were yet able to earn full wages. Dr. Borrie remarked that only one of the miners h«ad eyesight of an inferiority similar to that of Hellier’s.

Dr. George Fenwick said .that were Hellier to lose the other eye, ,he would be unfitted for manual labour. ITellier’s output was likely to be reduced by 30 per cent. For the defence Dr. William Fairdough said that Hellier had peripheral vision, and would be able to see in a mine. Hellier had one good central vision and two good field visians.

"I am inclined to believe, although I have no authority for saying so, that an injury such as this can improve a man’s sense for working underground.” said Dr. Fairclough. ’’lt is something’ like a blind man beginning to use senses ho had not brought into action ' before he lost his sight. Such a great deal depends on the possibilities of the mind in vision.”

Judgment was given by the court in favour of Hillier, who will be entitled compensation amounting to