Person Page - 94

Newspaper-Articles

• 12 Aug 1936, PRESCRIPTIONS. Alleged Breach of Law. CHEMIST AND STUDENT FINED.
  Leighton Weber, 20, of Bowman-street, Drummoyne, pleaded guilty at the Balmain Summons Court yesterday to a charge that being a person other than an authorised medical practitioner or registered veterinary surgeon, he issued a prescription for the drug morphine sulphate. Weber was fined £ 5 and 8/ costs.
  Detective-sergeant Thompson, of the C.I.B., said that Weber was carrying on a business in Victoria-road, Drummoyne, where he gave advice and treated animals. He also gave out cards bearing the inscription, "Member of the Veterinary Society."
  "It appears that defendant was a student at the Veterinary College of the Sydney University for about 12 months," said Thompson. "He explained to me that he could not afford to carry on his studies, and he thought he would set up in business to try and earn a few pounds to pay his fees. This particular prescription called for three grains of morphine, which is a dangerous dose, about five grains being a fatal dose."
  Weber said that he was at the Sydney University until May of this year. He had never passed himself off as a veterinary surgeon, but described himself as a "dog, cat, and horse specialist." He copied the prescription out of a veterinary science book, and the amount of morphine prescribed was definitely not dangerous. He did not know it was an offence for an unauthorised person to issue prescriptions, or to charge fees.
  To the police prosecutor, Weber admitted that he had issued a prescription showing drams instead of grains, which was a very serious mistake.
  Mr. Hunter, for defendant, said that no harm could have been caused. Through carelessness and foolishness, Weber had placed himself in danger of being unable to complete his studies. His whole career would be jeopardised if he was convicted.
  Mr. Scobie. S.M., said that Weber should have known the law.
  Walter George Meldrum, of Victoria-road, Drummoyne, pleaded guilty to a charge that, being a registered pharmacist, he had dispensed a prescription for the drug morphine sulphate which did not comply with the regulations in that it was written by a person other than a medical practitioner or registered veterinary surgeon. Meldrum was also fined £5 and 8/ costs.
  Detective-sergeant Thompson said that Meldrum had dispensed nine prescriptions issued by Weber. The prescription which was the subject of the charge did not contain the date or the address of the patient, nor was it marked "For animal treatment only," and it was not cancelled by Meldrum when dispensed. All these things were required by the regulations.
  To the magistrate, Thompson said that the serious part was that the morphine might get into the hands of lay people.
  Mr. Scoble said that he was satisfied the offence was not committed preparatory to, or committed in the course of, an offence under the Act.
  Mr. Hunter (instructed by Mr. J. W. Milne) appeared for Weber; Mr. Phillips (instructed by Messrs. Tillman and Coopel appeared for Meldrum.⁶
• 8 Nov 1943, C.C.C. MEDICAL SERVICES. Unrest in North Alleged.
  MELBOURNE, Sunday-Two doctors had relinquished posts as medical officers for the Allied Works Council in the Northern Territory as a protest against the inadequate provisions of medical services for thousands of Civil Constructional Corps workers in that area, said Mr. E. H. Malone, a former chief medical orderly, to-day.
  Mr. Malone has resigned his position with the A.W.C. and has returned to Melbourne.
  Because of discontent over alleged inefficient medical services thousands of C.C.C. workers in the Northern Territory had held stop-work meetings in the past three months and recently were on strike for more than a week, he said. The men returned to work two weeks ago on being given an undertaking that an inquiry would be held into the administration of the medical service.
  In a letter to the A.W.C. Mr. Malone said that his resignation was subject to the acceptance of Dr. Leighton Weber's resignation.
  [see Trove for full article]⁷
• 25 Sep 1945, DR. M. M. VELIK has purchased the Medical Practice of Dr. Leighton, O. D. Weber, at 27 RUSSELL STREET ESSENDON⁸
• 18 Feb 1947, DR. LEIGHTON O. D. WEBER has COMMENDED PRACTICE at 7 BAILEY GROVE. IVANHOE.⁹
• 25 Oct 1947, VICTORIAN POLL Record Of 62 Seats To Be Contested.
  ... There were surprise last-minute nominations today for Toorak and Ivanhoe, making three-cornered contests in both electorates. Dr. Leighton Weber, of Ivanhoe, who will stand as an Independent Liberal, has nominated for Ivanhoe.¹⁰
• 9 Jan 1948, DOCTOR FOR GOROKE. Dr. O. Leighton Weber, of Ivanhoe, has signed the agreement drawn up by the solicitors acting on behalf of the Goroke Hospital Committee. His arrival will automatically bring about the re-opening of the hospital. The committee has extensive alterations and improvements planned, and hopes to carry these out in the near future.¹¹