THE RED SCOURGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1916, Page 2

THE RED SCOURGE.

FIRST -APPLICATION OF THE NEW'ACT. At the Chris'tehurch Magistrate's Court on Monday (says the Press) the provisions ;of the new Act in regard to convicted prisoners suffering from'contagious disease were put into operation by Mr. H-. W, Bishop,.-S.M. An eldel-ly man appeared ill the dock, charged with using obscene language. Sworn police evidence was given as to words used, which were spolccn to a woman accusing her of giving him a disease. In reply to a question by the Magistrate, the man admitted having contracted the disease, and said the woman referred to had given it to him. The Magistrate then referred to the new Act of October, 1915, 'which provides that where a prison surgeon or surgeon of the police certifies in writing to the Minister ol Justice that a convicted prisoner is suffering from a contagious disease, such prisoner may be brought before a Magistrate in Chambers, and proof having been given of the disease, the Magistrate may order his detention in the prison hospital until discharged in pursuance of the Act. The prisoner therefore having admitted he had contracted disease, the Magistrate sentenced him to thfee months' imprisonment with hard labor on the charge of using obscene language, witli a view to his examination and detention in the prison hospital. Mr. Bisliop I also asked the police to make .enquiries as to the woman.