DOCTOR DELAYED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1938, Page 11

DOCTOR DELAYED

OBSTRUCTION CHARGE

INCIDENT ON SHIP

Described by the police as having been truculent, a New Zealand resident, W. S. Green, who was a passenger on the motor-vessel Matua, was charged ex parte, in the Suva^ Police Court on January 24, with obstructing the medical officer of health. Dr. D. C. Macpherson, in the execution of his duty, states the Suva correspondent of the "New Zealand Herald." A fine of £5 was imposed. Sir Henry Scott, K.C., with him Mr. H. Scott, appeared for the defendant.

Inspector Kermode stated that the defendant was very truculent. H#was called with." the other passengers for medical inspection, but went to his i cabin with his wife. After the other passengers had been inspected a special message was sent to the defendant telling him the doctor was waiting. He replied that the doctor could wait, and that he would come when he was ready. . -

If the defendant had come then and said he was sorry the matter would have been passed over, said Inspector Kermode, but when eventually he came up' he was very truculent when the captain spoke to him. He said he had nothing whatever to say. He, was truculent with the doctor when spoken to and said in a loud voice that he had nothing more to say. He said he had come when it suited his convenience.

In all his experience of visiting ships, said .thfe inspector, he had never seen the medical officer of health treated in that manner.

On behalf of the ' defendant, Sir Henry Scott expressed his sincere regret for the incident. He said there was no doubt that there had been technical obstruction,of the doctor, that the defendant did delay the medical officer in his duties, and, to a certain extent, he also detained the ship. Counsel did not think that the defendant had realised his position. He had since expressed his unqualified regret.

In inflicting the fine, the Magistrate said it was regrettable-that a man of the defendant's standing should behave in the way he, did.