OPTICIAN’S CLAIM

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1930, Page 6

OPTICIAN’S CLAIM

QUESTION OF CHARACTER

vßy Telegraph—Press Association).

NEW PLYMOUTH, October 13

The refusal of the Board of Opticians to grant an application for registration under the Opticians Act, 1928, was the cause of an appeal to the Court set up under the Act to-day. The appeal was that of Henry Reedman forineriy Keefman, who had been practising since 1912. The Court consisted of a Magistrate and two assessors, and the case was the first Of its kind under the Act. Counsel said that there seemed to be no question of qualification, but the Board seemed dissatisfied as to Reedman’s character and reputation. The Board having made no statement, it was understood that the question of character was the only objection of the Board. Reedman had had no opportunity of stating. Ids case to the Board. Reedman, said counsel, was of Jewish extraction, and lie felt that, there was some racial feeling against him. He had previously practised at. Auckland, Raitaia, Ivawakawa, and Hawera, first as- the British Optica] Coy., and later as an Egyptian and Asian Herbalist and Optician. He was separated from his wife. Some questions had 'been asked concerning his methods of advertising, one df his advertisements depicting a woman in a hath, but. he said-that was to slioyy that the herbs he sold for use while, bathing were good for the skin. He denied that he had taken money for spectacles and failed to supply spectacles. Question had also been asked concerning the payment of rent for his Auckland premises. He admitted that there .had been some trouble in one case, but said he had always paid his rent. He denied he was a hawker. The main issue that the Court had to consider, said the Magistrate, was the. accusation that Reedman had acted iradulentlv by taking money for saying that /he could do things which he could net do. If Reedman had practised for four years, and his character was good, he was entitled to qualify for registration.',' The Court reserved its decision.