HERBALIST ARRESTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 217, 13 September 1930, Page 10

HERBALIST ARRESTED.

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. UNFAIR TREATMENT ALLEGED. COUNSEL VOICES GRIEVANCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, an Indian herbalist, was charged before justices of the peace yesterday that between July 30 and August 2, being an unregistered medical practitioner, ho did, in attending to ana prescribing for a boy, Lyall Gordon Christie., aged 0J years, of Fordell, Wanganui, fail to use competent skill, and by improper medical treatment. unlawfully accelerated the boy's death, thereby committing manslaughter. The police applied for and were granted a remand till to-day, and accused was released on- .£SOO bail. • When the case came before the magistrate this morning on remand for tlie purpose of fixing a date for the liearing of the, evidence, a strong protest was made by Mi - . A..A. Bennett against what he termed unfair Press comment, and against the action of the police in bringing 'the accused before the Court on Friday in' flic manner they did, after having given, an undertaking to him (cdunsel) that* accused would not be dealt with tilltne search of his premises was completed. It was agreed to* : have the hearing on Septenibei v 2p,and'to reserve the ; SOth, if necessary. Continuance of Business. The magistrate, oh being assured that bail was forthcoming, asked, if the original bail could be extended, and received a reply in the affirmative. Inspector 'Eraser , -then applied for a condition that the accused should enter into an undertaking not to carry on his business ; in the meantime.

Mr. Bennett: That is a most improper application. Nothing has been proved wrong in his business, ■ and the polieo have got to piove their case. Inspector Fraser: Thai I shall oppose bail.

The Magistrate: Is the man in a posi tion to carry on his business? '

Mr. Bennett: I understand the police have confiscated all his- stock.

Mr. Tatc: Then why not accept the condition ? There is no need to complicate matters. After conferring with the accused Mr. Bennett said he would give an undertaking not to carry on his business between now and the date fixed for the 'preliminary hearing. Mr. Bennett'then isaid there were two matters which he considered it his duty to bring to'the* notice .of the Court at the earliest opportunity. His client was entitled' to a fair trial. The attempt to prevent him from carrying on lii's business in flic meantime was the first step calculated to prejudice his case, and in that he had been subjected to unfair treatment. Unfair Comment Alleged. The next matter was one concerning what counsel referred to as the publication of unfair comment by a local •paper in reporting the arrest of the accused. Counsel cited the comment referred to and said it was a matter which still had to be proved by the police. Inspector Fraser (heatedly): We did not give that information to the Press, and the police are not responsible for what appears in the papers. Mr. Bennett: Don't get excited. I don't care where the information came from. The magistrate said these matters were somewhat irrelevant. Mr. Bennett -proceeded to refer to what he said was the most unfair conduct of the police in the proceedings of the previous day. . The Magistrate: What do you want me to do ? If this is a. statement of your client's grievances, then it seenifi to me it is pretty much like some of the other matters of which you have complained. ; Mr. Bennett: It is a statement of my grievances at the treatment of my client, and I consider it my duty to bring such matters to the notice df the Court. Inspector Fraser: I never-gave any such undertaking as you suggest, and what you eay is a lie. Mr. Bennett: I know whose word I would' take in this matter. ... Inspector Fraser; Then this is not the place to raise such things. 1 Mr. Bennett: It will be raised in aii- ° Se P M?gistrate: These matters are quite irrelevant. The remand is granted tm September 29,' and the former bail is The hearing of the summary charges can be, considered when the major charge is disposed of.