MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2540, 14 August 1915, Page 12

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

BREACH OP DENTISTS ACT A oaso of interest fo tho dental profession was 'heard in tlio Magistrate's Court before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., vesterday, when a man named Vinoenr Morley was charged with representing himself by word and writing to be a dentist, when ho was not a person registered under the Dentists Aut, 1908 or a medical practitioner. Mr. T. Neave appeared i'or informants, tlio New Zealand Dental Association, and Mr. G. Cullen and Mr. H. F. Ayson for defendant. Informants alleged that defendant used words set out in a printed card iw.■followi'i-l'Dear. .Kir,. or .madam,--!

May 20, until June 2, and will be pleased to give you free dental consultation." Then followed details of dental work, the notico continuing; "All dental work finished in this town recommended by everybody. 1 attend evel-y patient personally. Viivcent Morloy, late of London. Nurse always in attendance."

Informants alleged that such words implied, or tended to tho belief, tliat defendant was carrying on tlio practico of dentistry contrary to the form of tho statute. The other three charges wc-ro in respect to statements made by defendant, and of defendant* to Maurico Edward Denniston (vice-president of tho Dental Association).

Mr. Neavo said that the informations had been laid under Section 21 of the Dentists Act, 1908. This Act was designed to protect the publio from being imposed upon by people who purported to be dentists, ana who were really not registered as such. Evidence was given by Maurice Edward Denniston that he had gone to Feathorston and had there mot defendant. Witness said, "Are you Mr. Morley, dentist?" rand defendant replied "Yes." Witness had had dental work executed for him by defendant.

]n reply-to a query by defendant's counsel, witness said the association ho represented had prosecuted Morloy to protect tho public. In England there were 13,000 unregistered dentists. The Dentists' Association wished to prevent such a state of affairs here. .

In the witness-box, defendant said he was a member of the Teeth Extractors' Adaptors' Association, of England. Witness had been in practice in England for a number of years, had also been in Amerioa and Sydney in practice. Dealing with the legal aspeot of the case for the defence, Mr. A.yson quoted various legal authorities. Counsel l submitted that defendant had been quite within the law in his written and spoken representation. 'Die Magistrate said that he would not hear the submissions from counsel for informants. It was plain, lie said, that defendant had represented himself to be a dentist, and must be convicted on each charge. A fine of £o would be imposed in respect to the first charge, while a conviction would be entered on the three others. Costs amounting to £3 16s. were ordered to bo paid. OTHER CASES'. A young man named George Albert M'Nicol was charged with escaping from "the Burnham Industrial School. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared for him, said that M'Nicol had had the permission of the headmaster of the school to enlist. M'Nicol had passed his military examination and bad gone on to Wellington, but as he was delayed in going into camp had secured work as a carpenter at Trentham. The Magistrate said inquiries would be made, and in the meantime M'Nicol would be formally ordered to be returned to the school. ' _ _ Considerable evidence wa.3 heard in respect to the charge against William M'Kay of assaulting Constable Jarrold in the execution of his duty. Mr. H. H. P. O'Leary appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate imposed a fine of £3, with costs Bs. ' Two young men, Robert Reid and Leonard Muir, were each fined 205., in default three days' imprisonment, for being disorderly while drunk in Cuba Street.

Amenities between neighbours were reviewed in a case in which Ernest Ferguson was charged with wilfully trespassing and entering the house of Ridhard Howard and refusing to leave when warned to do so, After hearing the evidence the Magistrate ordered Ferguson to pay costs of' the case, 255.: ■ For indecency in Lambton Quay; James Russell was fined. £5, in default one month's imprisonment. '

Robert M'Kenzie, who was drunk twice on the same day, was fined 10s., in default 48 hours' imprisonment, on the first charge, and 205., or three days on tho second. Michael Keating was fined 10s. or 48 hours for drunkenness, while three first offenders in this respect were dealt with.

For failing to attend drill, Artlmr Hobbs, Reginald Raymond Kolls, and James Fraiicis Kennedy were each fined £1, with costs ,75.; Andrew Meyor and Clarence J. Taylor each fined £2, with costs 95., and Stovon Coffey fined 10s., with .coats 7s, BY-LAW BREACHES.'' For committing breaches of the City by-laws, fines were imposed as mentioned on. the following Claude Cornforth, fined £2, with costs 75.; David Leslie Burns, £1, with costs '75.; Charles Daniel Hargreaves, Harry Mitohell, and Alexander Lyons, each fined 10s., costs 75.; Dr. W. E. Herbert and Tom Hitchcock, each fined ss;, costs 75.; George Cutts, 10s., costs £1 ss. Fines were imposed oil the following for nllowing live stock to wander: — Frank Wills, fined os., costs 75.; John Telford, 55., costs 95., on eaoh of two charges; John Fyfe, 10s., with costs 75., on each of three charges.