A TEST CASE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11547, 1 April 1903, Page 4

A TEST CASE.

♦ Richard James Bright, vrho pleaded "Nat Guilty," was charged with having, on February 24bh, exposed Himself while suffering from scarlet fever. Mr Stringer prosecuted!, and 'Str Kirk appeared for the defendant. Dr. Orchard deposed that he caw the man on the 14th February, and told him he had ecarlet fever, and he also reported tho matter to the Health Officer, according to the Act. He gave defendant Training that he must undergo six weeke' quarantine. Witness last sair him on the 20th February, but did not see him after. Defendant might have done a twenty mile bicycle ride without injuring himself after an attack of ecarlet fever. Inspector Maesey eaJd be saw the defendant in the Star and Garter Hotel on the 20th February- 'Witness epoke to him with reference to being out, and after further conversation saw thart the akin on the defendaMt's hands was peeling. Defendant had been

to the Hospital, but was discharged Fof ,< the defence Bright said that he we* axukr ,« the impression that he vma sot euffeißg .<■ from scarlet fever- H» Ibad followed h» 'j* usual occupation, and notaig had dccbtwo ;q to incapacitate him from work. He hod not received .written notice that he WM r ; suffering >am. scarlet Evideaoe v' was riven by Dre. Anderaoa and PeartOe. . The (kfendsmt said he iwd.Teoeatly .>«»d;> a medical examination for life ineureece, and he was told there -ffai notlvuie w«o« with him. The skin peded oB b» and feet on aooortra* of eoaj*e lotipn -wftwo-i had been applied to tiwan. ' He had tt«- ,j veiled by train to Timaru tjrbile he was «p* <j posed to be suffering, and he thought tm«*,w was nothing the matter with him. Tw - Moj;istr»te said that the dffeodaßt taj.--no right to use Wβ own discretion in t» -• matter, and he ought not to have gone out , among the public after beiag told by • - doctor that he was suffering from ecarlK fever. Aβ this was a test caee, b* WiM « let the defendant off with a fine not com- ; meneurate with the gfevity of the offence,, namely, 20s and costs.