HEALTH OFFICER’S DISMISSAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 971, 18 August 1903, Page 2

HEALTH OFFICER’S DISMISSAL.

ENQUIRY BY MR BOYNTON

(Per Press Association.) LYTTELTON, yesterday. Mr Poynton, Public Trustee, is holding an enquiry at Lyttelton, on Dr Upham’s dismissal for neglecting} as health officer to order the sis. Gracchus into Quarantine .when there was smallpox on board. Dr Mason appears for the Department,, and Mr Dough 11 for Dr Upham. Dr Finch, the new medical officer, after giving evidence, was cross-examined, •at length to show thav Dr Upham was justified in the position that he took. Dr Valentine followed for the Department. Dr Upham gave a‘history of the case, contending that he had taken a proper course, as he was not certain that the ‘cases were smallpox. The hearing is proceeding.

Later.— The case arose out of the smallpox outbreak on the Gracchus. The Department dismissed Dr. Upham for not immediately orderiug the steamer into quarantine when he discovered that two of the crew were suffering from an infectious disease, but allowed her to remain alongside the wharf until the arrival of the District Health Officer, during which time there was free communication between the vessel and shore, and cargo was landed. For Dr. Upham, it was contended that the port health officer had no power over a vessel once she came along, side the wharf, tho power in such a case attending to the district health officer. It was further, urged that when the District Health Officer came aboard he allowed work to go on till 5 o'clock in order to prevent a scare. The Commissioner announced that he would forward his report to the Minister in charge of the Department.