H.—ll.

full discharge and release of all claim, but afterwards, on complications setting in, and having lost his foot, made application for £300. The Court held that the claimant acted foolishly in giving a discharge in full, and that he knew what he was doing ; therefore the application was dismissed. (Decisions, &c, Vol. vii, p. 36.) A greaser on a steamer claimed compensation for the loss of little finger. The shipping company expressed its willingness to take the claimant back at the same wages he was getting before the accident. The Court considered that although the claimant returned to work there was some doubt whether in the future his earning-capacity might not be affected, so made a " declaration of liability." in addition to £15 for back compensation, and five guineas costs. (Decisions, &c, Vol. vii, p. 51.) A brickmaker claimed for loss of right hand injured in a pug-mill. The defence was " serious and wilful misconduct " ; but the Court held that the plea would not be sustained if the injury arose merely from the thoughtless act of a man who did not appreciate the danger he was incurring. Claimant, who had been only ten days at the brickworks, had recently arrived from Ireland, where he had worked at a farm, and did not appreciate the danger of interfering with machinery in motion. Judgment was given for £250. (Decisions, &c, Vol. vii, p. 69.) Another claim arose through the loss of left hand by the explosion of a gun when claimant was helping repair a fence on farm. This was a similar case to that last quoted, as it was a question of wilful misconduct. The Court considered it a thoughtless action, but not serious and wilful misconduct. Judgment was given for £250. (Decisions. &c, Vol. vii. p. 73.) An appeal was made to the Arbitration Court from the decision of the Stipendiary Magistrate at Black's (Otago) for £150 compensation to a worker who had suffered gangrene following frost-bite when snow-raking on a sheep-run. It was held by the Court that injury from frost-bite may bean injury under the Workmen's Compensation for Injuries Act. The appeal was dismissed with costs, and the Magistrate's judgment for £150 sustained. (Journal, April, 1909, p. 384.) Comparative Pricks of Commodities and Rents. Comparison of Average /'rices of Commodities and Rents in Auckland. Christchurch, and Dunedin with those in Wellington, taking Wellington as 100 (as at Ist March, 1909), Commodities. Wellington. Auckland. Christohuroh. Dunedin. Bread .. .. .. ..100 100 857 100 Butter .. .. .. ..100 100 100 100 Flour .. .. .. .. 100 93 91-6 93 Oatmeal .. .. .. .. 100 93-7 81-2 75 Eggs .. .. .. .. 100 81-8 72-7 72-7 Tea, lowest price .. .. .. 100 75 100 100 „ average price .. .. ' .. 100 90 100 90 Sugar .. .. .. .. 100 914 108-5 914 Kerosene .. .. .. ..100 93-7 112-5 100 Bacon .. .. .. ..100 95 100 100 Soap, household, Ist grade . ... 100 100 100 100 2nd grade .. .. 100 87-5 75 75 3rd grade . . .. 100 50 66-6 50 Candles, Premier .. .. .. 100 91-6 LOO 91-6 B. sperm . . .. . . 100 <>2-8 100 92-8 L. sperm .. .. .. 100 93-3 86-6 106-6 Price's .. 100 100 100 114-3 Milk .. .. .. ..100 100 75 87-5 Coal .. .. .. .. 100 97-1 108-5 80 Gas .. .. .. ... 100 83 97 92-3 Beef, sirloin.. .. .. .. 100 714 LOO 85-7 „ rump steak .. .. ~ 100 87-5 100 UK) „ stewing steak .. .. ..100 70 L2O 100 Corned beef.. .. .. .. LOO L(5O 120 120 Mutton, hindquarter .. ' . . . . KM) 88-8 88-8 100 shoulder .. .. .. 100 75 KM) 100 • „ chops .. .. .. 100 83-3 100 83-3 Sausages (beef) .. .. .. 100 100 100 100

iii—H. 11,

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