VIOLENT OPPOSITION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12354, 26 January 1926, Page 6

VIOLENT OPPOSITION

HEALTH OFFICERS’ EXPERIENCE REMOVING NATIVE WOMAN TO HOSPITAL. (By Telegraph—Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, January 25. The removal of a native woman suspected of suffering from an infectious disease to the Waihi Hospital from the .Whangamata district was carried out by District Health Inspector Martindale and Constable Dalbeth, of Waihi, under most trying circumstances. The woman had to be taken by force owing to the violent opposition hy her mother,who it is stated, attacked the constable in a vigorous manner. The visitors found the house doors locked, and the relatives stated that the visitors would not get in. The door was then forced open. While the constable held the infuriated mother, who fought like a wild animal, kicking and biting the officer, the patient was removed from the house. The mother invited the constable to kill her, adding that if the Pakchas took her daughter to the hospital they would certainly die. The patient was taken to a launch, but owing to the heavy sea tho party was compelled to remain all night in Whangamata. The launch proceeded to sea next morning, and arrived safelv at Bowentown, -where the patient was met hy the Waihi ambulance, and then removed to the hospital. The prejudice of the natives and their action in opposing tho removal of the woman is said to have been qaused by Tohunga influence The'removal of the patient was ordered under section 84 of the Health Act 1920.