Southland Hospital Board v Perkins Estate - [1986] 1 NZLR 373

Bailment — Bailee's duty of care — Standard of care — Gratuitous bailment — Woman died in hospital — After her death, the diamond ring she had been wearing could not be found — Whether Hospital Board was liable for the value of the ring.

Local Government — Hospital Boards — Bylaws — Exemption from liability — Bylaw stated that the Hospital Board would not be responsible for the loss of property in the possession of any patient unless such property was handed over to a duly authorised official — After the death of a woman patient, the diamond ring she had been wearing could not be found — Whether bylaw exempted Board from liability for the loss of the ring.