AN UNREGISTERED PRACTITIONER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1007, 8 October 1912, Page 4

AN UNREGISTERED PRACTITIONER.

HEAVY FINE IMPOSED. At the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court last week, Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., heard some more of “Dr.” Leo. Arthur Arnold Copeland Boranoli, when he was charged with having been an unregistered person using the tit’e of doctor, contrary to the provision of Section 22, of “The Medical Act, 1908.” Chief - Detective Bishop conducted the prosecution, and accused attended to his own case. Detective Kennedy deposed to having asked accused if he were a qualified practitioner, or could show any diploma or certificate. Accused replied he had qualified in Germany and Russia, and it was there his certificates were. He admitted using the title of doctor, implying doctor of medicine. He was not registered in New Zealand, and had no certificate. Witness produced books, two of them medical works, visiting cards inscribed, “Dr, Bundaloff,” bottlelabels headed “Dr. Bundaloff,” cards, a pocket-book and lecture cards, marked “Dr. Boranoff.” Also visiting cards of “Dr. Coplan,” and letters addressed “Dr, Coplan.” Accused was arrested at Southbridge under the name of “Dr. Coplan.” A certain paper which accused described as his “diploma” was put in as an exhibit. Letters written by accused in gaol were put in also. Witness said that they did not show accused to be a man of high education in English. Another exhibit was a photograph of the s.s. Tainui, on it being pasted a slip, “s.s. Tainui, Dr, Boranoff, medical officer.”

Acting-Detective Regan gave corroborative evidence as to Detective Kennedy’s interview with accused at the police station. Dr. J, F. Duncan, secretary of the local branch of the Medical Association, gave evidence that the one English degree accused alleged he held seemed non-existent. The name mentioned in the diploma was not in the list of registered English practitioners, nor was the name of Boranoff. Witness had been unable to find in the list in any university of the name mentioned as being that of a place at which accused said he qualified. Having read the letters written by accused, witness said he did not think accused’s education would have let him through an exam.

Charles Houstoun Lewis, of the Lyttelton Times, produced an advertisement inserted by the accused bearing upon his trade as conductor of a sanatorium. In it, accused was described as a specialist.

Charles Jones, of the Press, produced similar evidence as to the advertisements published by accused in the journal. S. R. Hawkins, of the clothing department of Hallenstein Bros., gave evidence as to accused having described himself as a doctor when ordering an operating coat, and had presented a card inscribed Dr, L. A. C. Boranoff. Leslie White, a young man, deposed that accused had given him medicine and a “cure for smoking.” Witness had believed him a duly qualified medical practitioner. To accused : Accused had nut charged him for “the cure for smoking.” Accused, who had examined the witness at length, called for the defence.

George Weston, owner of the Health Supply Stores, Cashel St., who gave evidence that accused had come to the stores as his assistant, acting as salesman, etc. Witness had not known accused to accept payment for work done. Accused had told him that he was a medical man, but was not registered in New Zealand. Accused had said he did not intend to register in New Zealand, though he was registered in England and elsewhere.

Mrs Weston, wife of the previous witness, said that accused had worked at the Stores selling under her direction. Accused had given them to understaud that he was a doctor, and had acted as locum tenens in the North Island.

Accused, trom the dock, argued that he was entitled to use the title of doctor, as long as he did not say he was registered. His Worship told him that the implication was that he was registered. Accused argued that there was no such implications, and persisted that he was qualified. His Worship again pointed out that accused would have to prove that he was qualified.

Accused said his circumstances ol leaving Home were such that he could not bring his diplomas with him. He had introductions from medical men at Home and medical men here

His Worship inflicted a fine o£ and payment of expenses, in default six months’ imprisonment. Chief-Detective Bishop said that for the sake of the public he wished to hand to his Worship accused’s record. The man was an absolute fraud. He had been in gaol in Kngland for three years, and had come out on the Taiuui, not as a doctor, but as a trimmer, under the name of Barr. In the North Island he had been in gaol for three years for indecent assault. The photographs and finger prints would show that accused was the man, and the records set out his undesirable character. For the sake of the public at large he wished the Press to take notice of these things.

Accused said that he had no goods on which distraints could be levied.