CHILD NOT SENT TO HOSPITAL

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23554, 4 February 1942, Page 6

CHILD NOT SENT TO HOSPITAL

— _♦ ACCUSED DISCHARGED (P.A.) GISBORNE, February ?>. Discharging a Maori accused, Hani Ihaaka Ranapia, in an unusual case in the Magistrate's Court at Wairoa, Mr J. Miller, S.M., said that there was often more than apathy, indeed, in some cases, wilful neglect, and great difficulty was experienced in inducing natives to call in doctors in cases of illness. ‘‘This one. however,” he added “does not fall into that category." The charge against Ranapia was that, on October 11. 1941, being the head of a family at Re Reinra pa, and under legal duties to provide necessaries for his son, Peter Ranapia, a child under 16 years, he failed without lawful excuse to provide such necessaries, and thereby endangered the life of the child. Ellen Ranapia, mother of the child, said that in October the baby became ill with a boil on the side of the head. She bathed the place and rubbed it with oil. The district nurse visited the child and said she would take it to Wairoa to the doctor. Witness replied that the baby did not have any dry clothes and that she would bring it in next day. She did not do so. There was no money in the noiusc, and her clothes were not ready to wear. The reason she did not go into Wairoa by bus was that she did not have the fare. Dr. E. B. Jardine, of Wairoa, said he was called out to see the baby, which was in a car outside. When he arrived at the car the baby was dead. The parents did not realise that had treatment been given at once the child s life might have been saved. There was no evidence of neglect of the cm rl other than it must have suffered considerable pain. Mr Jones submitjed that a prima f-.tcic case had not been established. There was no evidence of criminal neglect. The poverty of the parents and the low standard of education had contributed to the trouble. The Magistrate said the case was not one in which a jury would convict. However, the police were quite right to lay the charge, as there had been many instances of failing to provide medical aid. This was not a matter of wilful neglect and the accused would be discharged.