AN APPEAL CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 365, 15 March 1902, Page 3

AN APPEAL CASE.

IMPORTANT TO FRIENDLY

SOCIETIES.

By Telegraph-Press Association. Wellington, last night. An important point of especial interest to members of friendly societies was argued before the Chief Justice to day. The case was that of William Osborne, of Longburn, against Geo. Wilson, doctor of medicine, of Palmerston North, being an appeal forom tho Magistrate’s judgment. Osborne was a member of the Court Manawatu, A.0.P., and child was being attended by llr Mclntyre, one of the lodge surgeons. The latter, however, broke his log, and ho asked l3r Wilson, the other surgeon to the lodge, to attend the patient. He did so, and ordered tho child’s removal to the hospital. Later on he sued Osborne for Jt29 18s 6d for fees. The Stipendiary Magistrate gavo judgment for 1:13. It was against this decision that tho appeal was now brought. Counsel for the appellant intimated during the hearing of the case to-day that though the parties were primarily Osborne and Wilson he appeared on behalf of the Ancient Order of Foresters, as the matter was of great importance to the society. He contended that under the agreement entered into the surgeon had to attend the families of all members of tho Lodge for payments agreed upon, and was not allowed to make a private or special charge; that when MTntyre was disabled the Lodge members under his charge were entitled to claim the services of the other Lodge surgeon; that by agreement, rules, and statute, tho matter was a dispute determinable by special tribunal under act or agreement, so that the Magistrate had no jurisdiction. The appeal stands adjourned