A DOCTOR’S POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1917, Page 4

A DOCTOR’S POSITION.

IMPORTANT TEST CASE.

An unusual application was made before Mr Justice Hosking in Banco at Wellington on Saturday, when his Honour was asked to make an order directing the Registrar-General to register Dr John Alexander McKinnon under the provisions of the Medical Practitioners’ Act. Mr W. J. Hunter, cf Christchurch, appeared for Dr McKinnon, and the SolicitorGeneral (Mr J. W. Salmond) for the Registrar-General (Mr W, W. Cook). Mr Hunter said that Dr McKinnon, who was registered as a medical practitioner in Great Britain, and had commenced practice in Christchurch, had applied to the Medical Board for registration in New Zealand, and been refused. No reason had been given for the refusal, but he presumed that it had reference to the fact that in 1014 and 1015 Dr McKinnon, who was formerly an officer of the Customs Department at Christchurch, had been charged with complicity in the well-known Customs fraud cases. He was acquitted on those charges, and the whole of the charges against him, numbering about 40, had been gone into before the juries which acqnitted him.

The Solicitor-General: Aes, that is the objection.

Mr Hunter argued that the Medical Board, and the Court, on this appeal from its decision, could not go into those charges which had been enquired into and disposed of by the proper tribunal. The Solicitor-General contended that the only matters concerning which the Court could review the decisions of the Medical Board were errors of, jurisdiction and procedure. His Honour: “Do I understand that Dr McKinnon was not g'iven an opportunity of appearing before the Medical Board to answer objections to bis registration '? Mr Hunter : No. In spite of the application of his solicitor that he should be given sncli opportunity. I refer your Honour to Dr McKinnon’s affidavit on the point.

His Honour : That seems a monstrous position, and if that were the ground on which yon came before me, I would probably make a,n order referring the matter back to the Medical Board to hear and determine the application. Mr Hunter: Such an order would he ineffectual, avid we would have to come to the Court again. The Solicitor-General: The Medical Board is not bound to give an applicant an opportunity of answering objections. His Honour: T do not think the Supreme Court should be placed in the position of having to try the question of Dr McKinnon’s alleged complicity in those frauds on which he has already been acquitted by two juries. I think the best thing to do is to adjourn the farther hearing of the application so that counsel may consider the whole matter.

The further hearing of the application was accordingly adjourned.

LIFE SAVING.

SUMNER CLUB, CHRISTCHURCH.

In response to a large number of invitations issued by the Sumner Life Saving and Surf Bathing Club, a big gathering assembled on the beach at the pavilion to take part in the ceremony. The weather was fine, and despite the easterly wind the exhibitions proved a great success.

Speaking from the balcony of the pavilion, Mr H. Buttle, senr, the chairman of the society, apologised tor the unavoidable absence of the president, the Mayor ot Sumner. During last season the Roy'al Humane Society had conferred tw T o certificates for bravery at Sumner. He would formally declare the season open and ask Mrs Walter Bean of Addington, a member of the executive of the Ro3'al Humane Society, to present the certificates. Mrs Bean congratulated the club on its flourishing condition. She hoped those at the front would come back and continue the good work., She regretted no directors of the Roj'al Humane Society could attend, but she would sa3 r that every care w r as taken by the society in making awards. In presenting the framed certificate of merit to Alan Browm she said she had been a witness of his courageous act in saving Miss Muriel Archer on January 17, 1917. She knew him well as a bo3 r , and w r as proud that he was now serving his country at Trentham. (Mr Alan Brown is a sou of Mr Brown, formerly in charge of the Bank of New Zealand at Kumara.) Mrs Bean then presented the certificate of , merit to Miss Emity Evelyn Mazej' for rescuing Mrs Wylie from drowning at Sumner on January 24, 1917. On behalf of his son, Mr Brown accepted the certificate, and stated that he was very proud that his son had won the distinction conferred upon him.

Mr Buttle then called for three cheers for Miss Mazey and Mr A, Brown. Cheers were also given for the boys at the front and for Mrs Beau, and the proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem.