CLAIM FOR MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2681, 10 December 1909, Page 3

CLAIM FOR MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.

A DOCTOR’S DUES

At the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday morning, before Capt. A. G. Beere and Mr F.W. Riach, J.’sP., Dr. Morrison claimed £l4 14s from Reginald Oswald Skeet for medcal attendance rendered during January 1905. Mr. Sainsbury, instructed by Messrs. Cbi'isp and Coleman appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. J. R. Kirk for the defendant. The plaintiff deposed that- on January 18, 1905, at about 1 a.m., he was called to the wharf to attend defendant, who had met with a serious accident in the bay, and was lyiug unconscious in a critical condition, lie had defendant removed to the residence of his parents and stayed with him most of the morning. In tho evening Mrs Skeet arranged for Dr. Scott to hold a consultation with him as to the hoy s condition. Witness was toldjby airs. Skeet that- defendant was a Too go member, anil she thought it better tlia Dr. Schumacher should be called, as she could not afford to pay. Plaintiff sanl he had pulled the boy through the most critical stage and would not like the case to bo taken out of his hands, and that he would remember the patient belonged to a lodge when sending m ms bill, and make allowance, lie paid eighteen visits to defendant anil submitted a bill for £l4 14s, stating he would take £lO 10s if paid promptly. He had not been paid, although the account had been frequently rendered. By Mr. “Irk: He did not think tho case would have suffered, had it been handed over to Dr. Schumacher. lie did not tell Mrs. Skeet that he would not charge if he was allowed to see the case through. - o .■ , For tho defence, Mr. Kirk said that he would produce evidence to the effect that plaintiff llad said he would not charge if allowed to see the case through. £2 2s for .the emergency call was admitted and defendant had no objection to paying that amount. Mrs. Skeet, mother of the defendant, said she told plaintiff that defendant was a ledge patient, and she thought the lodge doctor should he sent fOy Plaintiff, then said people would think they were dissatisfied with lnm it ne handed tho case over to another doctor, and as lie would like to see the caso through ho would attend for nothing extra. Witness made it clear to plaintiff that she could not pay. By Mr. Sainsbury: Nobody else was present at the time they spoke about the lodge. .Slio paid Dr. Scott for the. consultation. ~ ~ . ‘Dr Schumacher, called, said lie would not hesitate to hand emergency cases to another doctor should one bo desired. W. O. Skeet, father of the defendant-, rr,avo evidence similar to that of Mrs. Skeet, and the defendant said that ho •had not received an accoimt till about three years aftor the accident. After seeing the lodge secretary be wad informed the. matter was settled. Mr. Kirk addressed the C-ouvt for the defence, and the Bench, in giving judgment, said they were of the opinion thatethe claim should be sustained. Judgment was accordingly, given for the amount claimed Avitli £2 fis costs. Mr. application for leave to appeal was granted.