Fight Straight! – Magistrates Comment on Conisborough Fraud

September 1926

Mexborough and Swinton Times September 25, 1926

Fight Straight!
Magistrates Comment on Conisborough Fraud

Three cases of obtaining relief from the Doncaster Board of Guardians were dealt with at Doncaster West Riding police Court on Saturday. A Conisborough miner was concerned in each information.

In the case of Philip Swaby, Mr. Albert E. Wilson (relieving officer) stated that defendant obtained £6 in relief of the pre-text that is why was in need of food. Inquiry’s showed that the man was living apart from his wife, but when taxed with this Swaby pointed to a woman in the house and said “this is my wife.”

The chairman (Mr Mark Nokes) said the man had not acted straight. Swaby’s conduct was not fair to the miners who were genuinely in need. He was sorry that the defendant did not have more sense, and he would have to go to prison for a month. Thomas Swaby, no relation to the other defendant, was fined £1 for a similar offence. This Swaby told the relieving officer that he had no income, and was given during two weeks, 20 shillings, and 16 shillings, in kind. Later the man admitted that he was in receipt of trade union money.

The chairman remarked that if the miners wished to fight out their affairs they must do so fairly. Swaby could not expect to get relief whilst he was in receipt of trade union money. The revealing officer said he did not wish to press the case of Joseph A Lindley, whose wife was in poor health. Lindley obtained money on a false pretext.

A Fine of £1 was imposed.