A RETURNED SOLDIER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9722, 26 July 1917, Page 2

A RETURNED SOLDIER

IMPROPERLY TREATED. A few days ago Dr Thacker, member for Christchurch East, put the following questions to the Minister for Public Health at Parliament: —41) Whether ho will explain why a private settlement was made in (ho Hill X-ray bum case; (2) why public funds were used to buoy up the case instead of allowing it to be fought out in’ the courts ana the responsibility sheeted homo; and (3) whether ho will lay the reports of this case on the table of the House? In reply, the Minister stated: This was a case in which a returned wounded soldier was improperly treated at the Dannevirko Public Hospital, as a result of which he instituted an action against the Waipawa Hospital Board for £3OOO damages. The Public •Health Department was in no way responsible. In consequence of representations made, a conference was called, at which it was agreed that the sum of £I3OO should be accepted, each party to pay its own costs. The Government agreed to pay one-half of tho sum. In coming to this decision consideration was given to the following facts: (1) The ratepayers of the district are mulcted in one-half, and this moiety hits to come entirely from revenues of the board, independent of subsidy j (2) it was at least doubtful if the plaintiff could have succeeded, on technical grounds; (3) it would have been a gross scandal if the result had shown the law provided no remedy for an undoubted wrong in such cases; (4) his injuries were such that he was certainlv entitled to substantial compensation; (5) the settlement arrived at was fully concurred in by counsel for both parties.