ENTERIC FEVER CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 67

ENTERIC FEVER CASE.

A MAORI WOMAN’S OFFENCE. WANGANUI, June M. An unusual case was heard at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when the Health Department proceeded against Tira Pukikiha for failing to take the proper precautions to prevent the spread of an infectious fever, and with allowing a person in her charge suffering from enteric fever to ride in _ a cab without notifying the driver. From tho evidence given it appeared that Dr Wilson was called to a house in Bigncli street to sec a Maori child, aged about six years. He diagnosed the case, and suspected enteric fever. Flo notified the health authorities and tho Natives in charge of the child, and arranged for an ambulance to come tho following day to take the child to tho hospital." Next day, when tho ambulance arrived, the defendant refused to let the child go to tho hospital until its father arrived, and told the driver that he would be informed when the child was ready to go to the hospital. Shortly afterwards a cab was hired, and tho child was taken to a boarding-house in Wiokstcad place, where it was found by Inspector Pargetter. Hq wanted the child taken to the hospital, but tho defendant would not agree to _this. After some trouble, it was agreed to take tho child to an empty house at Putiki, and proper arrangements were made for its comfort and nursing. The child was subsequently taken to the hospital, where it died of enteric fever. The defendant admitted having taken the child to the boardinghouse, nlcad’ing ignorance of the law. Mr W. Kerr, S.M.. imposed a fine of £l, with costs amounting to £5 12s.