This case was heard in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland.

Electric Reduction Co. of Canada, Ltd. discharged a poisonous substance into Placentia Bay, and, as a result, poisoned fish in the bay. The plaintiffs were fishermen whose businesses were injured as a result of the poisoned fish, and they sued Electric Reduction Co. under the law of nuisance.

The Court held that Electric Reduction Co. had created a public nuisance, not a private nuisance, and that the plaintiffs could not seek personal compensation for damages that were suffered in common by an entire class.