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A DENTIST'S CLAIM.

FOR WORK COSTING £52. A claim for £52 10s for dental work was preferred by B. H. Chaney (Mr. Bennett) against Leonard F. Hayloek (Mr. Quilliam), before Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., at the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday. The work was done at the order of defendant's wife, Mrs. Kate E. Hayloek. Mr. Bennett said that defendant had paid twenty-eight guineas into court and disputed further liability. The main question was whether the charge was a fair and reasonable one. Referring to the nature of the work, counsel said it was highly professional, and required special skill and knowledge. As far as could be ascertained, said counsel, a case involving the same skill and care had been executed by only one other dentist in New Zealand. The written evidence of Mr. N. Mitchell (president of the New Zealand 'Dental Association) stated that he had done only one case of obduration in thirteen years' practice. This formed the basis of contention that the work was highly skilled. The plaintiff had given an estimate of the cost when the patient first came, but she subsequently changed her decision in regard to what work was to be done, and plaintiff told her that it would be an expensive job. She replied that it did not matter, but he would probably have to S'ait longer for his money. B. H. Chaney, plaintiff, said that, considering the time taken' over the work, he thought the charge a reasonable one.

A. K. McDiarmid, dental surgeon of New Plymouth, said he had been in practice for about twenty years. During that time he had not encountered such an operation as was under review. He had examined the obdurator made by Mr. Chaney, and was of opinion that the work was good. He did not think a charge of fifty guineas was unreasonable. A. C. H. Collins, dental surgeon of New Plymouth, with 25 years' experience, said the wgrk done by plaintiff seemed to be very satisfactory. Witness said that if he was asked to do similar work he probably would not undertake it. Mr. Quilliam, for the defence, emphasised that defendant had always heen willing to pay a reasonable price for the work done for his wife. He contended, however, that the charge was j excessive. The obduration of Mrs. Haylock already had cost £lO fifteen years ago. A dentist in the South Island offered to do the work for £2O/ Kate E. Haylock, wife of defendant, said Mr. Chaney's estimate of the work was £lO. When later she decided to have further extractions made, Mr. Chaney said he would not be able to use the old plate in her mouth, and told her it would cost a little more. She thought that £2O would cover the lot, and would not have had the work done if she had known it was going to cost so much. His Worship dwelt on the various aspects of the case, and said that had there been no previous estimate given by the plaintiff he would not have considered the charge excessive. Pla'ntiff however, should have intimated how much more .the work was going to cost above the previous figure mentioned. He gave judgment for plaintiff for £3B 17s and costs. His Worshr* said he admired the manner in which Mr. Chaney had given his evidence. He

had not attempted to make out that he was an expert. He certainly had taken some trouble over the work and had some figure not been mentioned previously the amount charged would, have been allowed.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19200713.2.73

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1920, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
596

A DENTIST'S CLAIM. Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1920, Page 7

A DENTIST'S CLAIM. Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1920, Page 7

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