LIBEL SUIT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1930, Page 5

LIBEL SUIT

DOCTOR CLAIMS £2OOO

,By Telegraph—Per Press Association^

WANGANUI, November 12

At the Supreme Court, Dr Kronfeldt -Medical Superintendent, of . Taihape hospital, claimed from John Edward Hamill, proprietor of Taihape “Times”, £2OOO if or alleged libel arising out of an article published on July 18th whereby it was alleged thate by plaintiff’s appointment as medical officer, the services at the hospital both medical and surgical were inefficient, and that the lives of patients in need; of urgent treatment were in jeopardy and the plaintiff was not competent to carry out his duties.

Previously Taihape hospital had the services of three doctors, but a dispute arising, the Hospital Board decided, to. place Dr.f Kronfeldt, of Wanganui in charge. * . i In the article it was stated that when major operations had to be performed, matter had to be arranged between the Medical Superintendent at Wanganui and plaintiff, nnd. when a major operation was necessary, plaintiff had to communicate with Wanganui and a surgeon had to be sent from there or alternatively one employed locally.

It was contended that the article inferred that plaintiff was not fit to perform operations and this was detrimental as well to his private practice. As a matter of fact the plaintiff did perform the operations. WANGANU, JNov. 12.

After hearing evidence of plaintiff to the effect that the article tended to belittle him, Mr Treadwell for defendant moved that the case be withdrawn from the jury as the libel had not been established and no defamatory meaning could be taken from the article,

Justice Ostler reserved his decision until after the adjournment.