GRAVE CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1920, Page 5

GRAVE CHARGE.

CASE OF TWO DOCTORS. QUESTION OF JURISDICTION, By Telssraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 12. The case in which application is made to have the names of JDrs. Mackenzie and Claridgo struck off the medical register was continued before the Full Court. Mr. Skerrett submitted that the only way in which the opinion of the Medical Board could be expressed was by resolution and, as no expression was given as to grave or infamous conduct, the court had no jurisdiction. A motion was passed asking that the matter be referred to the Attoraey-Qjneral for permission to take the matter before the Supreme Court, but no specific charges were made. The court would not express any opinion at the moment, but Mr. Skerett's objection was noted. Formal evidence was given as to the procedure of the New Zealand Medical Board.

Doctor Mao Gill, a member of the Medical Board, said it was considered that Dr. Claridge and Dr. Mackenzie were guilty of the charges against them and therefore the board referred the matter to the Attorney-General. Doctor Claridge gave evidence that he qualified at Durham University and had been practising since 1917. He was employed by the United Friendly Society. In February, 1919, at his residence in Tinakori Road, he was asked by Strangman to get his daughter out of trouble. Witness reused. He received a second offer from Strangman a few days later and again refused. He was requested a third time to procure abortion. On the night of the abduction, Dr. Mackenzie called at witness' house for a social visit. Nattrass called later. This was the first time witness had seen Nattraa?. The positon was discussed, and witness was informed that the girl Strangman had asked Dr. Mackenzie to save her from an operation which her parents wished her to undergo for abortion. He went with Dr. Mackenzie and Nattrass to the hospital. While Dr. Mackenzie took the night nlirse into the kitchen for tea, witness told the girl that Nattrass was waiting outside for her in a motor. She followed him outside and they drove to witness' house, where she was supplied with clothes. In answer to Mr. Macassey, witness said he had told Chief Detective Boddam he 'had been asked to perform an operation for abortion.

FURTHER EVIDENCE. DR. CLARIDGE CROSS-EXAMINED. "WAS THERE IN CURIOSITY." Wellinton, Last Night. In the medical case, 'Mr. Macassey pointed out that Strangman had said he had never gone to Dr. Claridge's house before the day he had offered payment, but witness denounced tho statement as untrue. Mr. Macassey then suggested that the story about Strangman was a deliberate concoction. Witness: "You arc making a wrong impression." Witness was asked why he was mixed up with the affair at all, and replied: "Out of idle curiosity." To a question from the Bench, he gave the same answer. Judge Edwards asked why, if ho went to the hospital out of idle curiosity, he did not stay in the car. Dr. Claridge said Nattrass asked him to go inside. He understood Dr. Mackenzie was having tea there. Dr. Claridge said it did not occur to him to inform the police that the parents wished the operation to be performed and get them to take action. Howard Nattrass deposed that he provided a motor car and a driver to take tho girl to Hawkc's Bay. as she did not wish to be examined by their family doctor. At witness' request she was examined by a doctor in Hastings. Witness made arrangements with this doctor to lpok after the girl during confinement. There was no truth in the statement that he sent her to Hastings to have an abortion procured. Dr. Mackenzie telephoned witness accusing him of being the cause of the girl's condition, and witness advised Dr. Mackenzie to have nothing to do with the case. Witness called on the police and informed a detective that it was the parents' desire to have an illegal operation performed, and witness wished to prevent it. Witness contended that he did not get a fair deal from the policeHe denied lie told the parents he would •have had the girl fa«d up had they not gone to the police. It was witness who suggested putting the girl into hospital, and then, with the help of Dr. Mackenzie, removing her. As far as witness knew, Dr. Claridge knew nothing of the proceedings until the night of the remov*! from hospital, and at iho last moment he was asked to accompany Dr. Mackenzie and Nattrass, and he did so.