Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Tuesday 23 November 1943
Colliery Engineer Wins Slander Action
In the Civil Court at the Assizes In Leeds yesterday damages of £100 with costs, were awarded to Elijah Thompson Hardy, chief engineer at Denaby, Cadeby and Maltby Collieries, a slander action he brought against Mrs. Florence Collins, of Evylin Villa, Adwick Road, Mexborough. Mr. Justice Oliver also granted an injunction against defendant. The only issue was as to damages. The injunction was not opposed.
Mr. Myles Archibald (for plaintiff) said his duties included the supervision of all surface plant, including a steam accumulator. Defendant’s husband was formerly assistant engineer to plaintiff, but his work was considered unsatisfactory and was ultimately dismissed May, 1942.
Defendant’s wife appeared to have resented this very much. he passed moral judgment on the accused ” I am satisfied,” he said, ” that this lapse was the failure of a man of integrity and honour who was driven to distraction the demands of the Revenue when he had no other resources whatever, but I cannot possibly overlook a case where a man in the public service uses that position extract from private traders a substantial sum of money in return for real or pretended services. ”
When everybody’s life under some form of Government control, it absolutely essential that corruption in the public service should be regarded an offence which no Court of Justice could overlook or regard as an offence other than the utmost gravity.”