UNREGISTERED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 32, 8 February 1928, Page 13

UNREGISTERED.

MAN TREATING STOCK.

PROPRIETARY FIRM'S AGENT.

<By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGARE I, Tuesday. Hugh Scally was charged in the Magistrate s Court to-day that, not being a registered veterinary surgeon, he used the description of "veterinary surgeon and stock specialist" in connection with calling, in a manner which might reasonably cause any person to believe that he was a registered veterinary surgeon. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Harold S. Beehre, carrier, stated that, as one of his horses required attention, he,telephoned to Scally, who treated his horse. It did well, and witness was gnte satisfied with the treatment given. Having seen defendant's advertisement, ■witness took it that he was a veterinary surgeon. Scally also had a card on which was printed his name and the "Veterinary practitioner." Detective Robertson said defendant hM informed him that an advertisement m the paper was inserted by a proprietary firm in Auckland. Asked if he was in the habit of telling people he was not a registered practitioner, defendant stated that for 25 years he had been practising the profession. He had been away from the country at times, hut in January, 1927, he complied with * notice and put in his application for registration. Since then he had carried on, as he had received word from the Minister of Agriculture that he could continue to treat animals, but could not use wording or initials likely to lead people to think he was a registered practitioner.

Counsel contended that Scally was like a commercial traveller for the pro-' pnetary firm, and was a salesman of their preparations. The Magistrate quoted the advertisement, which stated clearly that Scally was representing Ring's, "proprietary veterinary surgeons and stock specialists." Nobody, said his Worship, could «»y that the advertisement would lead people to think Scally himself was a registered veterinarian.

Detective Robertson contended that the evidence of the police witness showed he had been led to believe Scally was registered.

JThe magistrate reserved his decision.