ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1702, 19 March 1913, Page 8

ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS.

ST. HELENS HOME INQUIRY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) • Auckland,' March 18. A point that cropped up in the St. Helens Home''inquiry, and reserved for the opinion of the .Supreme Court-Judge,-was mentioned at the Supreme Court this morning before his. Honour, Mr. Justice Cooper. During the inquiry those making complaints about the hospital wanted to have access to documents, the case book particularly,, having reference to caes? 'other than those of Mrs. Chamberlain and Mrs. Porch, which were specifically : inquired.into. The point reserved ior the Supreme Court was whether complainants could claim this right of . general access;. Mr. Selwyn Mays appeared for the Hospitals Department. Mr*. A. E. Skelton, who appeared for -tho Timber Workers Union at the inquiry, supported the contention -that complainants had a right of general search. He explained that his desire was to compare the treatment of ILvs. Chamberlain with that of other patients'in!'-the hospital. His Honour pointed, out that an the case stated for the Court it was set out that .'some of the documents in tho case books contained "the medical and family history of Before such should be declared open for inspection counsel would have to show his clear legal right to demand such inspection. There was some question as to whether or not the caso..:stated - gave.'the facts quite clearly on the subject of the nature of thesu documents. His. Honour said the inquiry was an important one, and he did ncit wish to limit its scope in any way. Counsel agreed to'have another conference and see if the jiaragraph in . the dis-pute-'could. !bc more clearly, defined: ■ The case w ill come on again to-morrow.