VACCINATION CASTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1717, 6 April 1906, Page 2

VACCINATION CASTS.

MANY PARENTS BROUGHT BEFORE COURT.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night, A large number of parents appeared beforo Mr Kettle at the Polioe Court to show cause why they had failed to have their children vacciuated. Mr Lyons, registrar, prose ooted, and stated that the Publio Health Department had issued instructions to registrars that parents of unvaccioated chiidn n who had not seoured exemptions should be prosecuted, Ernest E. Haddeld, one of the defend-

ants, said that ho did Dot consider that his child was fit to be vacoinated, and ho had only heard recently that exemption could be obtained, Mr Lyons explained that parents were always informoJ about exemptions when births were registered, but exemptions oouid not be eeomed after tbe expiration of four months. Parents had either to get exemption or vaccination certificates. Me B'ookfield, wbo appeared for an* other defendant named Weozil Scholium oontended that proc:edings must be taken' within six months from the commission of in offence. Under seotion 144 0 f the ?übl c Health Act, under whioh the infornation was laid, 1U months were allowed or vacoinatioo of ohi dren, and over 18 nontha had expired after tbe birth of the lild.

«• Mr Kotile held that Mr Brookfield’s contention was sound, but pointed out that dofondant could be prosecuted under seolian J 59 of tho Public Htalth Act Mr Parr, who appeared far Geo. George submt’.ed that if con cicntious objection made within f ujr months o( the birth of a child wa9 sufficient to secure exemption it should hold good in Ocurt. ’ " Mr Kettle said ho thought Mr Parr’s argument wes correct. The oases mentioned and 18 others were then adjourned until Wednesday next