A DOCTOR'S TROUBLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1918, Page 5

A DOCTOR'S TROUBLES.

DEBARRED AS 'A PRACTITIONER. QUESTION OF "GOOD FAME &ND OHARACTER." Wellington, 'Yesterday. Yeseter&ay the Full Court was engaged with an appeal against tWrefnsul of the Medical Board to register Join Alexander M'Kinnon, medical practitioner, Christehiurch. The Court wus asked to make an order to direct the Kegisitrar-General to register Dr. M'Kinnon under the Medical Practitioners 4et, IM4. The Bench wa9 occupied by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and Mr. Justice Chapman and Mr. Justfce Sim. Sir John Findlay, K.C., wiik him Mr Hunter, of ChrJstchurch, appeared for the appellant, and Mr. W. J. Sahnond, K.C., Solicitor-General, for the Regis-trar-General.

Sir John Findlay saul SFe application was made under section 15 of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1814, which provided tihat in the event of the Kegisi-trar-General refusing registration application could he made to the Court. Counsel traced MTJinnon's career as a medical man, both in New Zealand ani Ireland, and stated that from 1908 till 1912 he was employed in the Customs Department in Christehurch. He was subsequently charged with complicity in certain Oustoms frauds, and was arrested in Ireland in, May, 1014, and extradited to New Zealand. He was tit&3 at Ohrretchurch in Septetmber, 1914, ami acquitted. Subsequently further charges were preferred against' him. After the jury had disagreed, he was finally acquitted. He again proceeded to. Ireland to complete his studies, and on returning to Ohristchurch applied unsuccessfully to he admitted as a medicai practitioner. There was nothing against JfKinnoa except the alleged Otsrtoaiii frauds. The chief points at issue went She definition of "fame and character," and whether the Court was going to inqiiire into the charges for which M'Kinnon was tried and acquitted. Counsel submitted that the verdict of the jury wa 3 conclusive and that the attitude <rf the Medical Board' was totally unfair and unjustifiable. The stated that the Registrar-Oeneral's filed affidavit!! charged MKinnnon with a long conrsfi of theft, and fraud, and official breaches of trust as an officer of the Customs! Department. He contended that "good fame and character" meant externalreputation only, and had no relation ail all to the applicant's character; It w&s submitted that the charges or crimes l justified the BegSstmr-Clenera! in refusi, ins registration under the Act, After hearing Sir John Findlay in. reply, the Court reserved its decision.