German Doctor's Release.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 7 December 1918, Page 3

German Doctor's Release.

AiiXiSii-U'iS fe'iATKUiiNT CHALLENGED. Complaint was maao in the House that an Austrian doctor named Engletsberger had been allowed to leave the internment camp at MotuiJii and go to Rotorua to treat a private patient there. Leave for this purpose was refused by the officer in charge at Auckland, but he had been over-ridden from Wellington. Great indignation was reported that the expense of a special guard shoiiid have been incurred tor mis purpose. Sir James Allen said a Rotorua resident had communicated with him and stated that his wife was at death's door and the oniy doctor who oould save her was Dr. Engelsberger, who had treated her before. The resident offered to pay the whole of the expenses and the journey wouldl only take two days. Under the circumstances and after consulting the .Headquarters Staff, he had consented to the doctor going. He considered it was a humane thing to do. In answer to this statement Dr. Bertram, of Rotorua, sent a letter to the Auckland Herald ycisterday, in which he stated that the lady referred to, Mrs Rayner, had been under his care for six weeks before Engletsberger'e visit and she never at any time expressed a wish to consult him, nor was this necessary as there were five doctors available in Rotorua. Mrs Rayner was convalescent for some time before Engletsherger visited the town. He arrived on November 23 andi went to see Dr Bertram on the 2oth. He said his object in visiting Or. Bertram was to deny the rumour t'hat he had visited Mrs Rayner professionally. Engletsberger said- he had visited Rotorua only to convalesce alter working among the Maori soliders at Narrow Neck Camp and ho only called on Mrs Rayner socially because he was staying at the same hotel. The last idlca he had, he said, wais to attend 'her professionally as lie knew she was in Dr Bertram's hands. He left Rotorua the following morning and so far as Dr. Bertram knew he had never attended Mrs Rayner professionally. Enaletsberger's alleged statement that he attended Maori soldiers at the Narrow Neck camp is denied by the military authorities. (Per Press Association). Wellington, December 7. Renlyinsr t-a Mr Jennings in the House this afternoon the Minister for Defence said' so far as he knew the facts eiven by him to the House resrardins the release of the German. Dr. Engelsbereer, for the purpose of attending a patient at Rotor nn were still correct notwithstanding a contrary statement bv n Rotorua doctor. Dr. Pomnre said the request for the release of Dr. En£relsherger came from the Minister for Defence and he irns sorry to notice hostile criticism which hnd arisen in connection with the matter as he thWncht it » humanitarian act to save life even if it had to he done by a German doctor. He mas quite prepared to take the whoOo responsibility for the matter.