Curious Education Case at Conisborough

Arthur Hurst, a Pitman, Conisborough, was summoned under the provisions of the County Council bylaws for not having caused his child to attend school.

Mr McGrath of the West riding County Council, appeared to prosecute.

He stated that the parent of the child, who was aged seven, and was named Arthur Hurst, produced a certificate which testified that on 17 April the child had broken his leg, and consequently had been unable to attend school for 11 weeks. That would bring the date up to the month of July. The doctor also certifed that a further illness in July had rendered the child unable to attend for two weeks.

Mr McGrath pointed out that as the certificate was incorrect it was most reprehensible that a medical man should make it out. There was a specific date on the certificate, namely 17 April. As a matter of fact, the child had had an accident to his leg a month previously, but it was very unlikely that his leg was broken because the child returned to school on 28 April. The certificate, however, stated that he was unable to attend 11 weeks. From the end of April to the end of July, the child attended school, but irregularly, so that it was difficult for one to see how it occurred.

Walter Maxfield, attendance officer, proved neglect, and Alice Jane Lawton, assistant Mistress at the Station Road School, Conisborough, corroborated, stating that from the end of July the child was present, but intermittently.

Dr Forster was not present, and the Chairman remarked that the Bench considered there was no doubt the doctors certificate was flagrantly incorrect, and it was very important that medical men should not give such certificates without assuring themselves of the fact.

The usual fine of 6d and the costs 4/6 was imposed.

A further case was brought before the magistrate, the offending parent being John Marshall, also pitman, of Conisborough, the child in question, being named Nora Marshall.

Mr McGrath said that in this case also the certificate was incorrect it being certified that the child was ill during two weeks of July, whereas she had attended irregularly during that time.

The case was proved by Walter Maxfield, and substantiated by Susan Dyer, head teacher at Morley Place School, Conisborough, who produced the attendance register, which showed that the child was present every week in July.

The defendant pleaded that the child showed symptoms of consumption and went to school every morning without food. He contended that school was not beneficial to the child’s health, and had constantly been obliged to send her away on account of illness.

The Chairman, however, pointed out that a certificate to that effect should have been obtained, and the usual order was made.