Delay In Obtaining Medical Report

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30413, 11 April 1964, Page 17

Delay In Obtaining Medical Report

“Proceedings must go on at the Court’s convenience, not at the convenience of the medical profession,” said Mr K. H. J. Headifen, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday He made this remark when Mr G. R. Lascelles applied for a remand for Donald James Cadenhead, aged 32, a substation operator, charged with being a rogue and a vagabond in that he was found by night without lawful excuse on a property at Southbrook. The remand was “strongly opposed” by Sergeant V. F. Townshend, who said the case was to have proceeded on March 5, but had been adjourned several times since. The police had got little satisfaction as to what the plea would be, so witnesses had been called, and he asked for the case to go on, said Sergeant Townshend. Mr Lascelles said he had originally asked for three weeks’ adjournment to obtain medical reports. He agreed to an adjournment of two weeks in the hope that reports would be available. The reports were not available and a further remand was asked for.

“The police have known all along what the plea would be. and any application for witnesses’ ' expenses would be strongly opposed,” said Mr Lascelles.

The Magistrate said the case was first brought on February 27, remanded to March 5, March 19, and then to yesterday, a period of almost two months. “I am asked to accept the fact that medical reports in Christchurch take almost two months. Is that it?” Mr Lascelles said the delay was unavoidable. The doctor had to obtain the results of tests taken by the university. It would be exceedingly unfortunate if a request for a further remand was made, the case would go on, report or no report, said the Magistrate, granting a remand on bail to April 16.