Magistrate Sees Need For Stronger Powers

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1949, Page 5

Magistrate Sees Need For Stronger Powers

HAMILTON, Oct. 6. That some amendment should be made to the Act to strengthen the powers of the authorities so that persons sent to a hospital under orders made under the Tuberculosis Act, 194S, could be kept there, was suggested by Mr. S. L. Paterson, R.M., in the Magistrate 's Court, Hamilton, today when the first ease in Waikato concerning the Act, was brought. Defendant was a married Maori wontan, Mona Mahu, of Ngaruwahia, who was cliarged that, being a person detained in the Waikato Hospital pursuant to an order made under the Tuberculosis Act, 1948, she absconded before the expiration of the period of { her eommitment to hospital. Senior Sergeant R. J. Sutherland said that defendant was medieally regarded as an active ease and a menace to other persons. The Act had come into effeet only last year. On June 7 an application was made for an order for the removal of the woman to hospital for treatment. She was taken to hospital on June 17, the order being for three montlis. She remained in hospital until August 73 and then left without authority. Since leaving the hospital the woman had had a baby and was living with her husband at Ngaruawahia. . ".Thisiist.a v6ry- -d-ifficultrease to-idea'l ; with, said Mr. Paterson. "There is"' not sufficient provision under the Act to deal with people who do not remain in hospital. There is no power to arrest and return these patients and no power to hold them there. The only penalty is a flne of £20 bnt it would be ridieulous to fine this woman who is living in conditions of abjeet, . povertv. Such a (ine would have to be written off under the Summary Penalties Act.