LAW DRAFTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 126, 15 October 1912, Page 5

LAW DRAFTING.

A JUDGE'S COMPLAINT.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Comment upon draftsmanship was made in an Arbitraiion Court decision delivered to-day. The case was one in which a waiter claimed compensation from a hotel-keeper for permanent injuries to his hand, caused by the bursting of a soda water bottle. Believing that he had recovered from the plaintiff, signed o discharge from further liability, but his counsel contended that the agreement could not stand, as it had not been certified to by a Magistrate or inspector of factories, as required by section 10 of the Amending Act. He Court held that the plaintiff was bound by his agreement, unless he could pr«v« permanent disablement, and the case was adjourned. The Judge referred to the difficult position a magistrate or inspector was placed in by the Amending Act The words in section 10 seemed to hav» been taken from section 58 of the principal Act. "It is unfortunate," he added, "that legislation on this subject, which ought to be particularly clear and intelligible, should have been reduced to such a state of confusion and absurdity, by careless and incompetent drafting. It is desirable that this should .be remedied as soon as possible by the Legislature."