AFTERMATH OF A SCANDALOUS CASE

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 452, 13 January 1914, Page 7

AFTERMATH OF A SCANDALOUS CASE

Arising out of the recent proceedings against Queenie Gerald, m what Was known as the " Picadilly flat case," the Central Mid wives' Board "have cancelled the certificate of Miss Elizabeth Ann Telfer, 36, who was -referred to as " Nurse Betty " m connection with that affair. The board's decision was come to after hearing evidence against Miss Telfer on a charge of misconduct m assisting Queenie Gerald m the management of the flat. — Mr G. W. Duncan, secretary to the board, stated that Telfer denied the charge, and also denied that she had been guilty of any personal misconduct. She claimed that Gerald merely 1 employed her as a servant at a weekly wage. — It was pointed out that at the Police Court a woman stated that "Nurse Betty," on the instructions of Gerald, took her to a doctor, who examined her and gave her some, medicine. — Mr Edward Davis, who appeared for the nurse, objected to the depositions given m the case against Queenie . Gerald being read. No charge, he said, was then brought against Miss Telfer, and she was not able to be represented and to cross-examine the witnesses, who were vof such bad character that they were perfectly unreliable. Mr Davis admitted that Miss Telfer was ill-advised to remain m the employ of Queenie Gerald, but she did not know what went on m the flat. When the girls came .on the scene last October she gave notice to leave, but was induced, to remain. She was now acting as a mental nurse. — Miss Telfer, m her evidence, said people of very high position called at the flat. She received £1 a week and lived out, generally \ leaving the house about 10 p.m. She did not always wear her uniform. — The Chairman (Sir Francis Champneys) : Why were you m uniform on any occasion? — Miss Telfer : Because Miss Gerald preferred it. If there whs anyone m the place she generally stayed m the bathroom. She had not practised as a midwife since 1902. — The board, as stated, decided that Telfer must be struck off the roll and her certificate • cancelled. ,