OPOTIKI GIRL'S DEATH. MINISTER OF HEALTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 272, 16 November 1926, Page 7

OPOTIKI GIRL'S DEATH.

MINISTER OF HEALTH.

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. NO BLAME ATTACHABLE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) OPOTIKI, this day. An inquest was held this morning at the Opotiki Courthouse regarding tho death of Iris May Noble, who died at the Opotiki Hospital yesterday while under an anaesthetic. The inquiry was conducted by Mr. F. Short, actingcoroner, Sergeant Ferguson representing the police. The girl's father, H- Noble, deposed that his daughter was fourteen years of age, and was a patient in the hospital through rheumatism following tonsilitis. He agreed to an operation, and he knew that both doctors, the motron and the staff did everything to save the patient. Drs. Forbes and Budd, in evidence, stated that the patient was examined many times prior to the operation and no heart trouble was found. A few minutes after commencing the administration of chloroform, they noticed a contortion of the face of the patient. The right side of the face was paralysed and there was also stertorous breathing, which definitely showed that the condition was not due to the anaesthetic, but to the condition of the brain. They adopted all possible means of resuscitation, but, after working for some time, pronounced life extinct. Their opinion was that death was due to cerebral embolism, also that it might have occurred at any time irrespective of the - anaesthetic The jury's verdict was that the patient died from cerebral embolism while an anaesthetic was being admin--1 istered in Opotiki Hospital, that the doctors did all possible to save her life and used all methods of resuscitation without avail, and that no blame was attachable to anyone. A rider expressed the jury's sympathy with the parents.

WHANGAREI SCHOOLS VISITEII DEPARTURE FOR AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—Owd Correspondent,) WHANGAREI, this day. This morning the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, accompanied by Mr. W. Jones, M.P., Mr. J. E. Holmes (Mayor), and Mr. W. A. Carruth (ehairman'of the High School Board), visited the new High School and addressed two of the forms at the senior school The Minister then proceeded to the Junior High School, where he also addressed the scholars. The Minister expressed himself as gratified w-ith the progress in the educational facilities of Whangarei. Regarding the original proposal for a septic tank at the new High School, he agreed that the scheme for an extension to connect with existing sewage was more satisfactory. The Minister left for Auckland by tha midday express.