cornwall england newspaper
1846 NEWS
JULY
3 July 1846, Friday
TRIALS OF PRISONERS - MARGARET SNELL, 18, pleaded Guilty to a charge of
stealing, in the parish of Paul, a blue cloth coat and trousers, and a
counterpane, the property of EDWARD SNELL.
RICHARD GUMMOW, 28, was found Guilty of stealing a fowl, the property of
JOHN DOCTON, of Padstow.
MARY DOWRICK, 25, was charged with stealing a quantity of biscuits, the
property of SAMUEL TREGENZER, of Tregony. The trial could not be proceeded
with in consequence of the absence of a witness, and the prisoner was
therefore Acquitted, the jury taking into consideration that she had already
been a month in prison.
RICHARD STEPHENS, jun., 19, was charged with stealing, at the borough of
Truro, six oranges, the property of BETSY CUMING. Mr. THOMAS CUMING said
his mother shipped a cargo of oranges on the 9th of June, on board a vessel
at Truro, to be taken to Plymouth. The prisoner was employed by the captain
to stow away the chests in the hold, and pocketed some of the oranges, which
Mr. Cuming found upon him, and gave him into custody to policeman
FITZSIMMONS. The jury, however, were not satisfied with the evidence, and
the prisoner was Acquitted.
WILLIAM TREVARTON, 22, was charged with stealing, in the parish of Kea, two
cocks, the property of W. H. MANSELL, Esq. The cocks were kept for Mr.
Mansell by JOHN LUGG, a farmer of kea, from whom they were stolen, together
with some hens of his own. The prisoner afterwards brought one of the cocks
to a man named SIMS, of Castle-hill, Truro, on the 8th of May, and exchanged
the bird with him for another. Farmer Lugg underwent an amusing
cross-examination by Mr. Bennallack; and after hearing the evidence, the
jury returned the prisoner Guilty.
THOMAS GUBB was charged with stealing, at Truro, on the 16th of May last,
fifty pounds weight of coal, the property of Messrs. ROBERT and EDWARD
MICHELL. The Chairman said that in this case the prosecutors declined to
offer any evidence, some circumstances since the committal of the prisoner
having come to their knowledge which would render it difficult to identify
the property. The prisoner was therefore Acquitted.
WILLIAM BEARD, 30, was charged with stealing a quantity of turnips, the
property of JAMES HAMMETT, of the parish of kea. Mr. Stokes stated that the
turnips were growing at the time they were stolen, and the Chairman
thereupon directed an Acquittal, remarking that some other means should have
been adopted for punishing the prisoner and not under that form of
indictment.
MABE, appellants - Mr. Shilson; Penryn respondents - Mr. Williams. Mr.
Shilson moved to enter and continue this appeal, which was against an order
for the removal of NICHOLAS PELLOW, his wife and two children, from the
parish of Penryn to Mabe. Mr. Shilson admitted that the statement of the
grounds of appeal had not been served in sufficient time, and offered to pay
the costs of the day. Mr. Williams objected to this course, contending that
as his appeal was entered at the last sessions and then adjourned, and as
the appellants had since served their statement of the grounds one day too
late, they were not entitled to be heard. The Court decided in favour of
the objection.
LANLIVERY, appellant, Mr. Shilson; TYWARDREATH, respondent, Mr. Childs.
This was an appeal against an order for the removal of SUSAN HAWKEY, widow
and two children. Order quashed - costs GBP5 and GBP2. 13s. maintenance.
REPRESENTATION OF FALMOUTH AND PENRYN - Mr. FRESHFIELD has issued an
address to the electors of these boroughs, announcing his acceptance of a
requisition to offer himself as a candidate at the next election, but
declining to make a personal canvas.
FREE TRADE MEASURES - On the receipt of the intelligence at Truro, on
Saturday last, that the great free-trade measures of Sir Robert Peel had
finally passed the House of Lords, Mr. CHARLES HAWKE, woolstapler, of
Pydar-street, hoisted a flag on his premises, bearing the inscription "Death
to Monopoly," fired a salute of twenty-one guns, and gave the workmen in his
employ a good substantial supper in celebration of the event.
THE NAVY - The third son of Lieutenant LIDDELL, of Bodmin, has obtained
the naval cadetship, given by the Admiralty, for proficiency in navigation
and other studies at the Royal Naval School, and has just been appointed to
the "St. Vincent," Sir CHARLES OGLE's flag-ship.
EAST CORNWALL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION - The monthly meeting of this
association was held at the White Hart, Launceston, on Tuesday last, when an
interesting lecture was delivered by Mr. CLEVERDON, of Trebartha, on turnip
husbandry.
LESNEWTH AGRICULTURAL MEETING - At this meeting, the prize for the second
best boar was awarded to Mr. J. HAM, of Poundstock, and not to Mr. THOMAS
HONEY, of St. Juliot, as stated in our report.
SALE OF A CHURCH LIVING - The perpetual curacy of St. Mary Magdalene,
Launceston, has been disposed of by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, to his
Grace the Duke of Northumberland, for GBP400.
A MISPLACED AMEN - Not many Sundays since, a ludicrous incident occurred
at a parish church not far from St. Stephens, in Branwell. Soon after the
sermon commenced, the clerk, according to custom, fell fast asleep; and as
it drew near its close, a person in a pew near him gave him a shake, which
roused him suddenly, and before he was fully awake he gave utterance to a
loud Amen. The result was, a suppressed titter throughout the church, in
which both young and old joined.
CAUTION TO BATHERS - On Sunday evening se'nnight, a farm labourer, named
WHITFIELD, in the employ of Mr. HICKS, of Torpoint, went to bathe at Clift,
with several others, and while in the water was seized with cramp.
Notwithstanding his being a swimmer, he was unable to keep himself above
water, and was drowned before assistance could be given him.
EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT - On Wednesday se'nnight, while two labourers, and
the hind of JOHN SYMONDS, Esq., were sitting down in a hay-field, taking
some refreshment, the hind was observed to take out a long bladed clasp
knife, and having used it for some purpose, to throw it from him, and clasp
his thigh, from which the blood was flowing, with both hands. On
examination, the blade was found to have passed completely through the
thigh, the point glancing by the bone; and, strange to say, neither he nor
either of his companions can tell how it happened. The poor fellow, who is
confined to his bed, is, under the care of J. A. BULLOCK, Esq., surgeon,
Constantine, going on favourably.
MINE ACCIDENT - On Tuesday last, the town of St. Austell was thrown into a
state of alarm by a report that three men were killed at Mr. MORCOM's Iron
mine, within a mile of the town; but it turned out that the adit had "run
together from grass," and the men were only stopped in a short time. They
were very soon got out with but little injury.
SCILLY - On Thursday, the 25th ult., a very handsome schooner, called the
"Fleet," registering 122 tons n. m., and 166 o. m., was launched by Mr. W.
MUMFORD, builders. She is commanded by Capt. N. EDWARDS, late of the
"Wave," and is intended for the fruit trade. She will, no doubt, be a very
fast sailing vessel, and will not unfrequently be taken for a yacht, which
she much resembles.
COLLISION AT SEA - A melancholy accident occurred in the bay outside of
Falmouth harbour, on Tuesday afternoon last. The pilot boat "Harriet,"
VINCENT, master, was cruising about speaking to various vessels, and was
standing towards land on her way to harbour. A Belgian brigantine, called
the "Hortensa," bound to Liverpool, was on the other tack. The pilot-boat
finding they could not weather the brigantine, put her helm down and eased
off her head sheets, thinking to drop to leeward. The captain of the
brigantine, however, instead of putting his helm down as was attempted by
one of his crew, ran abaft, put it hard up, and ran right aboard of the
pilot-boat, striking her amidships, and sunk her immediately. The crew had
scarcely time to get on board the brigantine, by climbing over her bows, but
were refused the assistance of a rope; and when on board, the Belgian would
not even get out his boat to put them on board of a trawler close by. They
were eventually taken out by the "Prince Albert," trawler, and landed at
Falmouth. The pilot boat belonged to three brothers and a widowed mother,
and had only been recently purchased, the cost of which and her outfit for
the employment absorbed all their hard savings for many years.
SINGULAR LOSS OF PROPERTY - A short time ago, a labouring man of the name
of PROUSE, residing at Sancreed Church town, deposited GBP25 in bank notes
under a chest in his bed-room for security; but a few days afterwards he
found to his dismay that the notes had disappeared. Search being made, they
were at length found, nibbled to fragments by mice, together with a note of
hand, which had been deposited for safety in the same place. If the numbers
of the notes are not known, the loss to the poor man will be a serious one.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - An inquest was held at the Asylum, Bodmin, on Friday
last, by JOSEPH HAMLEY, Esq., on the body of JOHN PERROW, of Landrake, a
pauper patient, aged 77 years. It appeared from the evidence that the
deceased had been in the establishment about two months, during which he had
been generally employed in weeding the garden. He had worked diligently and
voluntarily, and was in the habit of rising from the table as soon as his
meals were finished to pursue his occupation. He had exhibited no tendency
to suicide, but on the contrary appeared cheerful and contented. On the
Thursday morning he left the gallery, the keeper remaining behind for a few
minutes to bring those who apparently more needed his attention, and at once
made his way to a pit or tank which received the water from the wash-house,
and which had been temporarily opened for the purpose of watering the garden
during the dry weather. He appears to have stood up in the water, which was
about four feet deep, and to have stooped until he had accomplished his
purpose. Every means was resorted to restore life, but in vain; he was
evidently dead before he was found, which was less than a quarter of an hour
after he left the gallery. The jury returned a verdict of drowned himself
whilst in a state of insanity.
[creased page - difficult to read].
On Friday, ROBERT[?] HAMLEY, Esq., Deputy Coroner held an inquest at St.
Mabyn, on the body of {.....?] ASH, a boy who had been often cautioned by
his [......?] against getting into carts as they were passing. On Friday
morning he saw a cart going for [......?] although whipped off once or twice
by the lad who was driving, he still attempted on getting into the cart. He
was about half a mile when the cart getting into a rut [caused?] the boy a
jerk, he fell under the wheel, and was killed instantaneous on the spot.
Verdict, accidental death.
On Monday, an inquest was held before the same coroner at Port Isaac, on the
body of THOMAS HOSKIN. On Sunday two persons going out in [.....?] saw
deceased on the cross-tree of the gaff topsail of the sloop "Millicent". He
accidentally lost his footing and fell on the deck, receiving such severe
injuries that he died within a few hours. There was not the slightest blame
attributable to the captain or any other person. Verdict, accidental death.
On Friday last, an inquest was held by JOHN CARLYON Esq., coroner, at
Redruth Church-town, on view of the body of JOHN CARPENTER, who was killed
at Carn Brea mine on the preceding day, in consequence of the fly-wheel of
the whim engine getting in contact with his clothing by which means he was
forced down a narrow aperture about eight inches wide, and crushed to death.
The unfortunate man has left a widow and seven children unprovided for.
Verdict, accidental death.
EXETER DISTRICT BANKRUPTCY COURT, Tuesday, June 23 - In Re. WILLIAM DAVEY
- Bankrupt was a coal merchant of Pentewan, Cornwall, and this was a meeting
[....?] an adjourned last examination; but as he declined answering the
searching enquiries of the Court, by not appearing, the case was disposed
of, by his Honour directing a memorandum to be placed on the file to this
effect. Bankrupt did not appear, and did not give a sufficient account of
his transactions.
In Re: WM. CHAS. BLAKE, of Liskeard - This insolvent did not attend.
Re: JOHN JAMES EVA. This bankrupt was a [p....?] cook, of Redruth, in
Cornwall. A long examination took place of a person, who was supposed to
have possession of some of his effects, but it was conducted in the
[private?] room. Mr. PITT, on behalf of that witness, applied for his
expenses from Penryn. His Honour, however, said that he was not to be
considered an ordinary witness, and would not therefore at present grant
[..?] expenses.
Re: WILLIAM GREENAWAY - This insolvent had been a "shopkeeper" at
Morwinstow. His Honour looked over the schedule, and said, "You seem to
have run a great deal into debt." The insolvent answered, "Yes sir, I
always was in debt, ever since I first married - and that was forty-five
years agone." He went on to say that he attributed it chiefly to his large
family. He had never been insolvent before, but last Lady-day he was
imprisoned for a month under the Small Debts Act. He passed his first
examination unopposed.
Re: DAVEY - In this case Mr. STOGDON stated that the reason why the bankrupt
did not come up on Tuesday was, that he had no money to pay his coach fare,
and therefore his non-appearance should not prejudice his case on the next
hearing.
10 JULY 1846, Friday
PENZANCE QUARTER SESSIONS - These Sessions were held at the Guild Hall, on
Monday last, before HERMAN MERIVALE, Esq., Recorder, and the Borough
Magistrates.
THOMAS ROWE, 53, was charged with having feloniously entered there premises
of Edwin Ley, Esq., on the cliff, and stolen therefrom a quantity of oats.
Mr. J. N. R. MILLETT conducted the case for the prosecution, and Messrs.
PASCOE and ROSCORLA that for the defence. After a long hearing, the jury
found the prisoner guilty, and the Recorder sentenced him to seven years'
transportation.
DAVID MURLEY, 48, was then charged with stealing half a pound of barrel
butter, the property of JOHN ROW, but was acquitted.
This case closed the business. In the evening the Recorder and a large
party were entertained at dinner at the residence of J. J. A. BOASE, Esq.,
Alverton.
FALMOUTH QUARTER SESSIONS - These sessions were held on Wednesday last,
before H. MERIVALE, Esq., Recorder. There were only two cases for trial - a
woman named HODGE for stealing a jug in the market-place, and a lad named
THOMAS GORDON belonging to the "Friends," of Exeter, Capt. LITTAN, for
breaking open the captain's chest, and stealing therefrom upwards of GBP10.
Both were found guilty; and the woman sentenced to one month, and the sailor
to two months' imprisonment.
HORSE SHOEING - A horse shoeing match took place at the Church town, St.
Stephens in Branwell, on the 24th of June, when seven persons competed for
the prizes. Messrs. CREBA, of St. Austell, and DINCH, of Tregony, were the
umpires. The 1st prize was awarded to THOMAS JOB, of St. Mewan; 2nd ditto,
to JAMES BENNETTO, of St. Stephens Churchtown; 3rd ditto, to HENRY THOMAS,
jun., of St. Stephens Coombe; and the 4th ditto, to WILLIAM TUCKER, of
Grampound.
SMUGGLING - Captain IVEY, of the brig "Majestic," underwent his
examination on the charge of smuggling 9 1/2 lbs. of tobacco, on Friday
last. The evidence proved that he had that quantity on board in a locker,
and the magistrates had no alternative but to fine him GBP100, and in
default of payment to be imprisoned six months.
SCILLY - The new schooners, "Fleet" and "Surpass," had a trial of sailing
before they left for Wales, and appeared to be pretty equally matched. The
"Fleet" had rather the advantage.
THE "UNITY" OF PADSTOW - The salvors of the "Unity," of Padstow, and cargo
- the vessel which was brought in by three Brixham trawlers, she having
caught fire whilst at sea - have been awarded the sum of fifty-two pounds.
The matter was settled by arbitration, H. BROWSE, Esq. being appointed by
the owners, and Messrs. COLLIER and WEBBER, auctioneers, by the salvors.
About twenty-seven pipes and two hogsheads of cider were saved out of
sixty-eight pipes, and about GBP40 worth of leather out of GBP160. Not an
atom, we believe, of the furniture belonging to H. PULLING, Esq., of Totnes,
was rescued from the flames.
SUPPOSED WRECK - On the 4th instant, a ship's head board, marked
"Victoria," was picked up at sea off Mousehole, by Mr. C. CHIVERS, of
Penzance.
THE COAST GUARD SERVICE - Among other officers of the Coast Guard promoted
to the rank of Lieutenant, we find the name of Mr. T. STANBRIDGE, late of H.
M. cutter "Sylvia," on the Penzance station.
THUNDER STORM - Early on Sunday morning last, a thunder storm passed over
Truro and its neighbourhood, the lightning and thunder being accompanied by
floods of rain. We have not heard of any injury to life or property being
occasioned by the storm in this immediate neighbourhood; but it seems to
have been felt severely in some parts of the county. At Roseworthy wood, in
the parish of Gwinear, a house occupied by a person of the name of JEFFERY,
was struck by the lightning, which entered a conduit that went under the
house, broke through the under floor, and passed through the chamber floor,
tearing up the boards, and then escaped through the roof. It also shattered
the case of the front door, and carried out the back windows; but the
family, who were all in bed, escaped with the woman receiving a slight wound
on the back of one hand. In a house near by, a woman was so severely
frightened that her life is despaired of; and at Weeth estate, in the same
parish, two fine cows were killed in the field.
SUPPOSED INCENDIARY FIRE - On Wednesday last, between one and two o'clock,
a fire broke out in a shed belonging to Mr. HUGO, dyer, of Kenwyn-street,
Truro, which, we regret to say, from the circumstances under which it took
place, appears to have been caused by an incendiary. The shed was in
River-street, at the back of Mr. Hugo's premises in Kenwyn-street, and at
the end of another dwelling house, from which it was only separated by a
partition-wall. It was used to contain furze, and at the time of the fire
there was a large quantity in the building which was wholly consumed. The
fire was, however, extinguished, through the plentiful supply of water at
hand, and the arrival of an engine, before it could communicate with the
adjoining dwelling house, although the partition was burnt through in
several places. It is remarkable that Mr. Hugh's people had not been to the
shed for about a week before; that there was no chimney in the place; and
that the roof was of slate. The door was locked when the fire was
discovered; but in the wooden side of the shed, facing River-street
(although distant from the road many yards) there were several apertures,
and it was opposite one of these that the faggots were first discovered to
be on fire. Had the occurrence taken place in the night, it would probably
have led to very serious consequences.
ABSCONDED - Whereas JAMES COCK, mason, having been apprehended under a
special warrant, made his escape from the constables at Newquay, in the
parish of St. Columb Minor, on the 7th instant. Whoever will apprehend the
said James Cock, and take him to ABRAHAM BUCKINGHAM, constable, at St.
Columb, will have all expenses paid and be handsomely rewarded. Description
of person.- Set made man, apparently about 26 years of age and well
proportioned, about 5 feet 6 q/2 inches high, light gray eyes, with light
brown hair, sandy colour whiskers, and a light complexion. Dated, Newquay,
July 8th, 1846.
MIDSUMMER SESSIONS - Wednesday, July 1. JOHN BENNETTO, 43, was acquitted
on two indictments for stealing stone mason's tools, at Saint Austell.
RICHARD CHAPMAN MENHENNICK, 16, was indicted for stealing three pennies, the
property of his master, RICHARD RICH, currier, of Bodmin. The prosecutor,
on the night of the 26th of May, marked the pence in his tell, and next
morning found three of them missing, which were found upon the prisoner, or
traced to his possession. Guilty; but recommended to mercy on account of
his former character. Three Months' Hard Labour.
WILLIAM BENNETT, 20, and JOHN COLLAM, 25, were charged with stealing seven
fowls, the property of MARY BENNALLACK, of the parish of St. Austell, and
another fowl, the property of WILLIAM COOMBE, on the 13th of June. Verdict,
both Guilty. A previous conviction and imprisonment in 1843, for stealing
20lbs. of copper, was proved against the prisoner Bennett. Collam was
sentenced to Six Months' Hard Labour; and Bennett to Ten Years'
Transportation.
WILLIAM CHARD, 15, ROBERT JENKIN, 14, and WILLIAM JOB, 10, were charged with
stealing, at Falmouth, six boxes of cigars, one parcel of comfits, and one
parcel of medallions, a species of sweatmeat, the property of JOSEPH CARNE.
Mr. STOKES conducted the prosecution; Mr. MOORMAN defended the prisoner
Chard; the other prisoners were undefended. Several respectable inhabitants
of Falmouth gave Chard a good character. The jury acquitted all the
prisoners.
JOHN WHITE GRENFELL, 31, was found Guilty of stealing tin ore from
Boscaswell Downs mine, in the parish of St. Just in Penwith. Six Months'
Hard Labour.
ROBERT SMITH, 16, pleaded Guilty of stealing from the person of MARY ANN
TRETHEWY, at Bodmin, 1s. 5 1/2 d. The Prisoner said he did it when drunk,
and was sorry for it. Six Months' Hard Labour.
DAVID MAY, 20, was charged with stealing a pair of trowsers, the property of
JOSEPH BRAY, at St. Cleer. After the evidence had been partly heard, the
prisoner made a confession of his guilt, saying he was sorry for what he had
done. Guilty - One Month's Hard Labour.
ELIZABETH MICHELL, 18, was found Guilty of obtaining four pairs of boots on
false pretences, from JACOB CORIN EDWARDS, of Truro. Prisoner went to the
shop, and asked for two or three pairs for Mrs. HIGGS to try on, but Mrs.
Higgs not being accustomed to deal at the shop, suspicion was occasioned and
the foreman accompanied the prisoner, who, after some attempts to evade him,
ran off, was overtaken and secured. Mrs. Higgs proved that she had never
sent the prisoner, whom she had never seen before. Three Months' Hard
Labour.
CHARLES KELLY, 15, was found Guilty of stealing a hen, the property of
WILLIAM WOOLCOCK, a farmer at Winnick, in the parish of St. Veep. Two
Months' Hard labour, and to be Once Privately Whipped. The Chairman
remarked that fowl-stealing had greatly increased in this county, and the
court was therefore disposed, at these sessions, to visit that offence with
severe punishment.
JANE CHYNOWETH, 51, and ELIZABETH CHYNOWETH, 14, were charged with stealing
a quantity of gingham, the property of WILLIAM NICHOLLS, of St. Agnes.
Verdict, Jane Chynoweth, Guilty; Elizabeth Chynoweth, Not Guilty. Jane
Chynoweth was sentenced to Two Months' Hard Labour.
The following bills were ignored: - THOMAS COWL, stealing cider from JOHN
ROGERS MOON, of Liskeard; JANE GILLARD, stealing a silk handkerchief from
JONATHAN BAWDEN, of Gwennap; HENRY WRIGHT, stealing sacks, from JOHN
REYNOLDS, of Constantine; ANN MINHIRE, stealing flour from JAMES MERRIFIELD,
of Ladock; EDWIN MARTIN, stealing guano from JAMES BULL, Esq.; FRANCIS
BURROWS, stealing a sixpence from THOMAS HARWOOD, toll collector at
Lanhydrock; and ELIZA AVER.
JAMES VICKARY was charged with stealing, in the parish of Constantine, two
sacks, the property of JOHN REYNOLDS. The prosecutor lost the two sacks on
the 7th of April, and they were afterwards found in the possession of the
prisoner, who had been seen near the place with a donkey cart. The jury
retired from the court, and after some deliberation found the prisoner
Guilty. Four Months' Hard Labour.
FANNY COCK, 31, was indicted for stealing, at Redruth, a pair of shoes, a
small shawl or turnover, a table cloth, and half a silk neckerchief, the
property of JAMES THOMAS. The daughter of the prosecutor stated that the
prisoner washed at her father's house, and within five or six weeks previous
to the 25th of May, various articles had been missed, among which were those
named in the indictment. These were afterwards found to have been sold by
the prisoner to THOMAS HAMMOND and PHILLIPPA EDWARDS; the prisoner having
told them that the articles were given her for washing, instead of money, by
Miss Hicks and a person named JENKINS. Verdict of Guilty - Six Months' Hard
Labour.
JAMES PENGELLY, 30, was indicted for stealing a silver watch and a German
silver guard chain, the property of SAMUEL PETERS, of St. Agnes, painter.
Mr. HOCKIN, after opening the case, called SAMUEL PETERS, who deposed that
on the 10th of January last, he gave the prisoner, who was a carrier, a
parcel tied up, with instructions to deliver it to Mr. J. T. TREGELLAS, of
Truro. Witness owed Mr. Tregellas some money, and sent him the watch as
security for the debt. Mrs. Peters tied up the parcel, which contained,
besides the watch and guard, a silver ladle and a note. Mr. Peters saw the
prisoner on the evening of the 10th of January, and prisoner said he had
delivered the parcel to Mr. Tregellas. Prosecutor afterwards received a
note from Mr. Tregellas, which occasioned him to inquire after the watch,
and he ultimately found that it had been pledged at Mr. JAMES's the
pawnbroker. The prisoner here asked the prosecutor various questions with
the view of showing that the latter owed him some money, and that the watch
was taken in consequence. Mr. James proved that the prisoner pledged the
watch and guard at his shop for ten shillings on the 10th of January last.
Constable ARGALL stated that the prisoner, when apprehended, said it was a
bad job; he had pawned the watch to have a spree at the feast. Mr.
Bennallack then addressed the jury for the defence, contending that the
opening of the parcel, and taking out the watch and chain together, without
severing the one from the other, did not constitute a felonious taking; the
prisoner had only committed a breach of trust. If he, (Mr. Bennallack)
entrusted to a carrier five hundred bank notes, and the carrier took the
whole of them, there would be no felony committed; but if the carrier opened
the parcel and took only one of the bank notes, then he might be indicted
for felony or larceny. Mr. Bennallack then cited several cases in support
of his argument and contended that the prisoner, if he had pawned the watch
without authority of its owner, should have been brought before the
magistrates under another act of Parliament, instead of bringing him to the
sessions on an indictment for felony or larceny.
The Chairman retired to consult the Chairman of the other court on the point
of law, and on his return said they agreed in the opinion that if 500 bank
notes were sent by a carrier, and he took the whole of them, it would not be
a felony, but if he took only one or a portion of them that it would be a
felony. In the present case, however, the prisoner had broken the bulk of
the articles sent by him; he had opened the parcel, taken out the watch and
chain, and returned the ladle; he might therefore be indicted for larceny.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty. Nine Months' Hard Labour.
SAMUEL JACKETT, 18, pleaded Guilty to a charge of stealing a silver spoon,
the property of JOHN GREENWOOD, of Egloshayle. Three Months' Hard Labour.
THOMAS BURROUGHES, 40, was found Guilty of stealing a tin can, the property
of RICHARD BATH, of the parish of Lezant. Six Weeks' Hard Labour.
JOHN STEPHENS, 44, pleaded Guilty of stealing from the cellar of GEORGE
HANCOCK, in the parish of Menheniot, a quantity of cider. Six Months' Hard
Labour.
WILLIAM MARKS, 35, pleaded Guilty of stealing, in the parish of Poundstock,
a quantity of cider, the property of WILLIAM LUXTON. Two Months' Hard
Labour.
JOHN CROCKER, 59, was indicted for stealing a quantity of wheat and barley,
with one bag and two packs, the property of Mr. JOHN PEARCE, of the parish
of Tywardreath. The prisoner effected an entrance into the prosecutor's
barn on the 26th of June. A workman of Mr. Pearce's, named WALKER, locked
up the barn in the evening, and on the following morning, when resuming his
work at threshing, he discovered that a quantity of wheat and barley had
been taken away. He told Mr. HAMLEY, who is the hind of Mr. Pearce at
Newhouse farm. Search was subsequently made, and Mr. Pearce and a constable
found the corn at the house of the prisoner. Guilty. Six Months' Hard
Labour.
ELIZABETH FOLLY, 47, was convicted of stealing, in the parish of Jacobstow,
on the 14th of May, 40 lbs. of flour, and one peck of meal, the property of
OLIVER BANBURY. Four Months' Hard Labour.
JOSEPH SYMONS, 55, was charged with having stolen, in the borough of Penryn,
a pair of worsted stockings, the property of THOMAS ROGERS, jun. Guilty.
Three Months' Hard Labour.
WILLIAM FRANCIS, 35, was indicted for having feloniously broken and entered
the dwelling house of MALACHI SPEAR, in the parish of St. Issey, and for
stealing therefrom ten pounds of ham and a coat. On Sunday, the 31st of
May, the prosecutor and his wife left their house a little after one
o'clock, having locked the doors, and taken care to fasten the back-kitchen
window. Mrs. Spear returned about seven o'clock, and found that the latch
of the back-kitchen window had been moved through a pane of glass; her
husband's coat and a piece of ham were subsequently discovered to be
missing. REBECCA COCK saw the prisoner about five o'clock on the 31st of
May on the highway between St. Columb and Padstow. He inquired the way to
Tredinnick, and in going there he had to pass by Mr. Spear's house. ABRAHAM
BUCKINGHAM apprehended the prisoner at a vagrant's lodging house in St.
Columb, on the 1st of June. He was then at his breakfast eating a ham
rasher; two other pieces of ham were found in the room, and upstairs, under
a bed-tie, the constable found a coat, which the prosecutor identified as
being the one he had lost. The prisoner very ingeniously cross-examined the
witnesses, and made a long defence. The Chairman intimated to the jury that
if they were not satisfied respecting the breaking of the dwelling house;
they might find for simple larceny. The jury found the prisoner Guilty of
breaking and entering. Nine Months' Hard Labour.
THOMASINE MUTTON, 40, was charged with having stolen, on the 30th of May, a
quarter of a pound of loaf sugar from the shop of Mr. DAVID COUCH, grocer,
of Fowey. Guilty, but recommended to mercy by the prosecutor and jury. One
Month's Hard Labour.
Thursday, July 2.
DINA HOSKIN, 15, pleaded Guilty to a charge of obtaining, under false
pretences, several articles of drapery, the property of JOHN MARTIN, of
Callington. Three Months' Hard Labour.
ROBERT GOUDGE, 28, was indicted for having assaulted LAVINIA TURNER, with
intent, &c. A second count charge the prisoner with a common assault. Mr.
C. CHILDS opened the case, stating that the daughter of the prosecutor was a
young girl of unimpeachable character and of respectable parents. The
prisoner was a married man, and the father of a family; and the time in
which the assault was committed was about eight o'clock in the evening of
the 9th of June. The young woman was then walking on the railway, which Mr.
TREFFRY is constructing between Par and Newquay. She was going after her
grandmother and aunt, and at the viaduct, in the parish of Lanlivery, she
was met by the prisoner, who assaulted her, and attempted to accomplish his
purpose; but she effectually resisted, and at length two men named
DARLINGSTON and LEY, came to her assistance, and took the prisoner away.
Evidence was given of these facts, and Mr. SHILSON then addressed the jury
for the defence. After stating that he did not appear to justify the
prisoner's conduct, he proceed to remark upon the evidence with great
particularity, contending that the prisoner was only amenable to the minor
charge of a common assault. The Chairman then summed up, and the jury after
a brief deliberation, returned the prisoner Guilty of a common assault.
Twelve Months' Hard Labour.
CHARLES WILLIAMS, 30, pleaded Guilty to stealing, on the 9th of June, at the
borough of Truro, a pair of drill trowsers, the property of EDWARD PENNA.
Three Months' Hard Labour.
MISDEMEANOUR - JAMES BIDDICK, of Padstow, was indicted for having unlawfully
erected, or caused to be erected, a certain stone and wooden messuage and
tenement, the length of which was forty feet and the depth twenty feet, in
Broad-street, Padstow, whereby a nuisance was created, and an encroachment
made on the public rights. Messrs. JOHN and G. COLLINS appeared for the
prosecutors, stated to be the way-wardens of the parish of Padstow; and Mr.
Shilson appeared for the defendant. Mr. John stated the case to the jury
contending that if any particular spot had been dedicated to the public, or
been used by the public without interruption or interference, for five or
six years only, even that short period would be quite sufficient to entitle
the public to the future use of that spot. Mr. Collins then called Mr.
THOMAS TREMAIN, who stated that he resided in Padstow, as a general
merchant, up to the last year and a half. He had lived in Broad-street
thirty two years, and kept a shop opposite the spot where Mr. Biddick, the
defendant, had now built a house. The spot he had built upon was a part of
the street and was always considered to be so. About thirty years ago the
streets of Padstow were paved, the expense being met partly by subscription
and partly by a rate. Mr. BRUNE and Mr. RAWLING subscribed GBP100 each, and
the subscription amounted to about GBP300. A rate was made afterwards in
aid of the subscription; it amounted to about GBP500. The spot in front of
Mr. Biddick's house was then paved. The building is about twenty feet long,
and witness supposed the encroachment he had made on the public way to be
about seven feet. He had told Mr. Biddick he should oppose his erecting the
building, and Mr. Biddick asked why he should interfere; he (Mr. Biddick)
was only taking in a few feet; he was not doing any harm, and it would be a
great accommodation to him. The witness then gave evidence respecting the
streets and particular locality, which could only be understood by means of
the plans produced in Court. He also said that Broad-street was one of the
principal thoroughfares in Padstow; a great many carts coming into the town
with corn had to wait there, and the encroachment made by Mr. Biddick's
house he considered materially interfered with the convenience of the
public.
Cross-examined by Mr. Shilson - He now lived in the country, having retired
from business, and his nephew, Mr. JOHN HICKS TREMAIN and Mr. CLEMOE,
carried on the drapery and grocery business in the house opposite Mr.
Biddick's, formerly occupied by witness. He should not think the house Mr.
Biddick was building was intended for a shop; it was too low and too narrow.
He had taken an active part against the encroachment, and had summoned the
way-wardens for neglect of duty. He should think the distance from the
nearest part of Mr. Biddick's house to the opposite side of the street might
be thirty feet, or a little more. Re-examined - He had given up all
connection with the business now carried on by his nephew and Mr. Clemoe.
The entrance from St. Columb was steep, and heavy laden carts would
generally make a sweep when coming into the street. James Clemoe, a smith,
living at Padstow, deposed that for twenty-five years he had seen the part
over which Mr. Biddick's house is built used by the public as a
thoroughfare. Carts were often drawn up in front of the street, and
sometimes shows. JOHN HAYES, a pavier at Truro, stated that he was engaged
to pave the streets of Padstow thirty years ago, and he then paved the spot
on which Mr. Biddick had now built his house. Several old men were then
examined who deposed to the spot in question having been used by the public
as a footpath within their remembrance. Mr. JOHN HILLIER, one of the
way-wardens of Padstow, deposed to the same fact, and stated that when as
way-warden, he called on Mr. Biddick, the latter said he hoped they would
not proceed against him, for it would be a great convenience for him to be
allowed to come out into the public street. The house was begun by Mr.
Biddick, in June 1845, but nothing had been done to it for the last nine
months. Mr. Shilson, for the defendant, here took several objections to the
indictment, which, he alleged, was bad for uncertainty, and for
misdescription of the place in question. If the termini were laid in the
indictment, they must be proved to be as laid, and if there were a variance
that variance must be fatal. The indictment stated that a certain highway
led from Limekiln-lane in, through, and over Broad-street into Ladywell
lane, whereas that lane was in a totally different direction; and also from
Broad-street to Lanadwell-street, and from thence to a place called the
quay, which it did not lead to any more than it led to Bodmin. Further, it
was not mentioned that any of those streets were in the parish of Padstow;
with the exception of "a certain place called the quay." There was no
locality given to any of them. He then proceeded to show that the indictment
was also bad for uncertainty. Mr. John replied, contending that the
indictment was good if it enabled the court to discover or infer from it the
locus in quo, and was sufficient to let the defendant know the charge
brought against him. His friend was also too late to take this course after
pleading the general issue, as he had done. The bench retired, and on
returning into court overruled Mr. Shilson's objection as to misdescription,
and the trial proceeded. Mr. Shilson then addressed the jury at
considerable length and afterwards called Mr. OSBORNE who had been assistant
way-warden of the parish of Padstow, with the exception of a few years, for
the last twenty-eight years. In his character as way-warden he had never
repaired the spot of ground in front of Mr. Biddick's house, and never
considered it to be a public road. JOHN KNIGHT, of St. Columb, seventy-two
years old, spoke of chains and posts which he recollected in front of Mr.
Biddick's old house. Mr. EDWARD STOWERS, agent to Mr. BRUNE, said he had
known Padstow for fifty years. He could not remember any posts and chains
opposite the house referred to; but he did not recollect seeing any person
passing in front of the house except they were going to that or the other
houses that adjoined it. Mr. Biddick asked Mr. Brune's consent to put his
house out in the street, and that consent was given. WILLIAM B. HARDING, a
mason, said that when making a drain he discovered an ancient wall about a
foot under the surface, about five feet from the front of Mr. Biddick's old
house.
Cross-examined - The new building was between six and seven feet from the
front of the old. Mr. John then replied, and the Chairman afterwards summed
up, commenting upon the evidence at considerable length. He said the
question for the jury to decide was, whether the public had been in
undisturbed possession and enjoyment of the spot of ground in question so
long as to exclude any owner from coming forward and re-taking it from them.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty against the defendant. Mr. Shilson
then moved in arrest of judgment, because of the uncertainty of the
indictment, and because it did not shew, on the face of it, the particular
part of the building which encroached upon the highway. He adduced some
ingenious and forcible arguments in support of these objections, but they
were overruled by the Court, who fined the defendant One Shilling, and
Ordered Him To be Discharged.
WILLIAM LAWRY, 29, committed on the 8th of February, for want of sureties in
a breach of the peace towards BETSY LAWRY, of the parish of kea, was brought
before the bench. Betsy Lawry said she was in fear of her life because of
the prisoner's violence; he was of unsound mine. The governor of the gaol
said the prisoner was very violent, and he was obliged to keep him by
himself. Being still in want of sureties the prisoner was then remanded
back to prison, Mr. EVEREST stating that he should take the necessary steps
to transfer him to the Asylum.
The following sentences were passed on those prisoners whose trials we
reported last week:-
MARGARET SNELL, Four Months' Hard Labour.
RICHARD GUMMOW, Four Months' Hard Labour.
WILLIAM TREVARTON, Six Months' Hard Labour.
APPEALS - LANLIVERY, appellant, Mr. Shilson; LISKEARD, respondent, Mr.
Hockin and Mr. Lyne. Appeal against order for removal of WALTER WILLS.
Respondents moved to have their order quashed for informality; the order
stating that the removing magistrates were "for the borough of Liskeard,"
instead of "in and for the borough of Liskeard." Mr. Shilson, for
appellant, consented.
ST. PINNOCK, appellant, Mr. Shilson; Mr. Lyne. Mr. Shilson moved an appeal
against an order of the Justices of Liskeard, for the removal of JOHN EDE.
The chief ground of appeal was, that it did not appear that the examinations
had been taken on the complaint of the churchwardens and overseers of the
borough of Liskeard. The case, Regina v. the Inhabitants of Moselworth,
decided on the 30th of May last, and reported in the new Sessions cases, was
the authority cited for requiring that the examination should be taken on
the complaint of the churchwardens and overseers of the appellant parish.
Mr. Hockin said all previous orders had been made in precisely the same form
as that now appealed against, and therefore, he could only appeal to the
Court, and misericordiam. Order quashed; GBP5 costs, 7s. 6d. maintenance.
Mr. Hockin said, pro forma, he would ask their worships to make a special
entry.
SECOND COURT - WILLIAM NOTT, 24, was charged with stealing a blue frock,
and a saucepan, the property of RICHARD TREVETHAN, from a barge called the
"Industry," on the river Tiddy. The prosecutor was a bargeman, and on a
Sunday morning early in March, locked up in the cabin of the barge a blue
frock, a saucepan, and some salt fish. On the following morning, the cabin
lock was found opened, and all the articles were gone. About ten days
afterwards, prosecutor saw the saucepan in possession of Mr. Rosevear, and
about two months afterwards the prosecutor found the blue frock in the
possession of the prisoner, who said he had bought it in Devonport. The
prosecutor sent for the constable of St. Germans, to whom the frock was
delivered, and by him produced in court, where it was identified by
prosecutor. WILLIAM ROSEVEAR stated that he had some fowls stolen, and in
consequence there of went on a Friday to watch near Mr. SAMSON'S lime-kiln,
(this was near the place where the barge "Industry" was moored). He saw
prisoner lying down by the side of the fire with a saucepan on the fire. In
answer to witness, prisoner said he had a few potatoes in the saucepan.
Witness searched the saucepan, and found in it a fowl, but no potatoes.
Trevethan afterwards claimed the saucepan. Verdict, Guilty - A previous
conviction was proved against the prisoner. Ten Years' Transportation.
MICHAEL MARTIN, 26, and SAMPSON JEFFERY, 22, were charged with having
assaulted CHARLES HAWKE, a constable, at the parish of Gwennap, in the
exercise of his duty; and also with a like assault on HENRY CARBIS, an
assistant of Hawke's. There was a second count in each case for common
assault. Mr. Hockin conducted the prosecution; Mr. Stokes the defence.
Hawke, constable of Gwennap, said that about eleven o'clock at night, on the 16th of May, he was sent for to go to EDWARD ALLEN's public-house, in St. Day. On arriving there, he found Martin, Jeffery, and several others drinking. Allen said he had some troublesome men there, and could not get
them out. In the constable's presence, and at his request, the landlord
order them out, and Martin said, they would not go. Hawke and another
constable, DOWNING, persuaded the men to go home quietly. Martin said he
would not go till he had drunk up his beer. They then waited for him to do
so, about fifteen or twenty minutes, but the men did not taste their beer.
After some words had passed, Downing took away the beer, and Hawke tried to
put Martin out of the house, on which Martin gave him a violent kick on his
knee. Hawke was struck to the ground, and he called Carbis, who was
standing by, to help him up. When he got up, Jeffery began to throw stones
at him. There were about half a dozen men there, and a great many stones
were thrown; the road was new-laid. Hawke was not struck with a stone; but
Carbis got his hat cut through, and his head cut in three places. The
prisoners knew that Hawke and Downing were constables, because Allen said so
when they came in. One of the men lived only a quarter of a mile from
Hawke. The other witnesses examined were JOHN DOWNING, constable, HENRY
CARBIS, and WILLIAM MILLS, a shoemaker, living near the public-house, who
saw the stones thrown like hail outside Allen's house, and swore that he saw
Jeffery throwing stones. Mr. Stokes for the defence dwelt on some
inconsistencies in the evidence, elicited on cross-examination, and insisted
that the conduct of the constables, especially that of Downing, had been
such as to provoke the assault. The jury found Martin Guilty of assaulting
the constable in the execution of his duty; but Acquitted him of assaulting
Carbis. They Acquitted Jeffery entirely. Martin was sentenced to Three
Months' Hard Labour.
FRIDAY, JULY 3. - JAMES NEYNOE VIVIAN WILLYAMS, Esq., qualified as a
magistrate.
The Court proceeded this morning to hear the following appeal cases, J. K.
LETHBRIDGE, Esq., chairman.
SAINT AGNES, appellants, Messrs. Hockin and Shilson; SAINT COLUMB-MINOR,
respondents, Messrs. John and G. Collins. This was an appeal against an
order for the removal of JAMES MARTIN, his wife and four children, from the
parish of Saint Columb Minor to Saint Agnes. The only settlement set up by
the respondents was that the pauper was born in lawful wedlock in the parish
of Saint Agnes; and the objection taken by the appellants was that no
particular part of the parish of St. Agnes was stated in the examinations
being the birth place of the pauper. They argued that such particularity
was required, and cited in support of their views Queen v. Bridgwater, Rex
v. Pontefract, Rex v. Bakewell; and quoted the cases St. Cleer and Liskeard,
tried in October 1844, and Pillaton and St. Veep, tried at the Midsummer
Sessions of 1845. Mr. John, in reply, attempted to show that there was some
difference between the present case and those referred to. He thought such
particular information was not necessary to be given in rural districts,
although it might be in town districts. The Court, however, held the
objection to be fatal. Costs GBP5; no maintenance.
GERMOE, appellants, Messrs. John and Darke; BREAGE, respondents, Messrs.
Shilson and Hockin. This was an appeal against an order for the removal of
JAMES SCHOLLAR, MARY ANN his wife, and their three children, from the parish
of Breage to Germoe. The first objection taken by Mr. John was that the
notice of chargeability was bad, inasmuch as it did not mention the names of
the three children. It was quite as necessary that these should be stated
in the notice of chargeability as in the order of removal, as each of those
documents must be taken per se. He referred to the King v. Brixham in
support of his argument, and was followed by Mr. Darke on the same side.
Mr. Shilson replied, but the court decided that the objection was fatal as
far as regarded the children. Mr. John then objected that the court could
not separate children of a tender age from their parents; in this case one
of the children was twelve years old, another eight years, and the third
eight months old. The court, however, disallowed this objection. The
appellants next objected that it was not stated on the examinations, in what
particular part of the parish of Breage the pauper resided when he received
relief from Germoe. Mr. Shilson, in reply, cited the Queen v. Carnarvon, in
which it was said by the judges, that the grounds of relief being furnished
by the respondent parish itself, it could not be contended that the
respondent parish did not receive a sufficient knowledge of the locus. He
applied that principle to the present case; and the objections was
overruled. Mr. John and Darke next contended that it was not shown, on the
examination that the pauper's father had gained a settlement by renting a
tenement in Germoe; consequently the pauper had no derivative settlement
from the father. After some argument between the advocates, this objection
was held to be good. Mr. John next objected that the pauper had not
acquired a settlement by relief. Mr. Shilson said there was no ground of
appeal to enable his friend to take this objection, which was therefore
overruled. The appellants next objected to the birth settlement; the
examinations, they said, did not contain sufficient legal evidence of the
birth of the pauper. The only evidence was that of the sister who said, "my
brother is forty-one years of age," whereas it should have appeared upon the
face of the examination whether she was herself older, or of what age, in
order that the Court might see whether she was competent to refer to the
fact; for if she was younger it was not within her means of knowledge. Mr.
Shilson replied that there was nothing to show that the sister was not older
than the pauper; and if a party came before the magistrates and expressly
swore to a given fact, was not that to be taken except the person also swore
as to her means of knowledge of the fact? The Court decided that the
objection prevailed. The respondents had still one leg to stand upon, with
regard to the relief settlement; and upon this the case proceeded.
James Schollar, the pauper, was called, and deposed that he formerly lived
with his father and mother at Ballwest, in the parish of Germoe. He lived
at that place up to the time of his marriage, about sixteen years ago. He
had now three children, WILLIAM, MARY ANN, and JAMES. His first child lived
only fourteen days; he could not meet the expense of burying it, and
therefore went to Mr. HARRY, who was an overseer of Germoe, for money. Mr.
Harry gave him 7s. 6d.; pauper then lived in Breage, at a place called
Londonderry, within the sett of the Great Work mine. He believed Mr. Harry
knew where he lived at that time; some months afterwards he had 2s. 6d. more
from Mr. Harry. Witness then deposed that he afterwards went from Breage to
the vestry at Germoe; Mr. HEBBARD and Mr. JAMES TOLL, were then overseers,
and Mr. Moyle, the relieving officer was also there. The overseers then
knew where he lived, and Mr. Toll went to a shop and ordered him half a
bushel of flour. When pauper's wife was confined in April 1843, Mr. Caudle,
the parish surgeon of Germoe, attended her by direction of Mr. James
Hebbard, one of the overseers of Germoe. Various articles were then
supplied to them. The witness was cross-examined at considerable length by
Mr. John; and the pauper's wife was afterwards examined and cross-examined
at considerable length, but nothing appeared to be elicited to shake the
testimony bearing upon a relief settlement. Mr. John then brought forward
his last objection; - that a former order for the removal of the pauper, his
wife and children, from Breage to Germoe, had been quashed by the Court of
Quarter Sessions in 1843, and that such decision was binding. [The case, it
appeared, had since been taken to the Court of Queen's Bench, and brought
down by continuance.] Messrs. Shilson and Hocking contended that the
appellant's objection, being a technical one, ought to have been taken
earlier; for if valid at all it would then have barred them from going into
the appeal. They also argued that the objection was invalid, because the
grounds of appeal failed to set out the order of sessions which quashed the
former order of removal. Mr. Shilson alleged that for a long time the
Courts above had held that the examinations and grounds of appeal should be
considered with the same strictness. The appellants replied, but the Court
decided that the grounds of appeal were insufficient. Mr. John applied for
a case, but this was refused. The order was therefore quashed as to the
children, but confirmed as to the pauper and his wife. Ordinary costs to
respondents; maintenance 10s.
JAMES COCK, appellant, Mr. Shilson and Mr. Bennallack. CATHERINE TREBILCOCK,
respondent, Mr. G. Collins and Mr. Taunton. This was an appeal against an
order, by which the appellant was alleged to be the putative father of an
illegitimate child of the respondent's. The witness THOMAS GERRY, called to
prove service of notice of appeal on the respondent, on cross-examination,
admitted that he could not read or write the body of the notice - he could
only read the signature "William Cock," (the brother of appellant); and he
was not sure that he told the respondent that the notice was to command her
attendant at the sessions. The Bench considered the notice not proved. Of
course, the merits of the appeal were not entered into.
17 JULY 1846, Friday
TERRIBLE DISASTER AT EAST WHEAL ROSE AND NORTH WHEAL ROSE MINES - THIRTY-NINE
LIVES LOST. - On Thursday, the 9th instant, a most disastrous
occurrence took
place at East Wheal Rose and North Wheal Rose lead mines, in the parish of
Newlyn, which resulted in a lamentable loss of human life, and the destruction
of much property. The following account, derived from personal inquiries on
the spot, may be regarded by our readers as affording correct information
respecting this sad calamity. To those who are unacquainted with the
locality,
it may be desirable to state that East Wheal Rose mine is situated in a
capacious vale, or kind of basin, at the bottom of several hills, which arise
around it somewhat in the form of an amphitheatre. These hills are
principally
killas, and the mine workings run from north to south, in what is provincially
termed flucan, and in some places through the blue clay slate formation.
Towards the northern part of the sett the valley narrows into a ravine,
through
which a stream, after running by the workings, is continued to the
river Gannel,
and thence to the sea at Crantock. The distance from the sea is five or six
miles, and the fall of water supposed to be about fifty feet. North
Wheal Rose
is immediately adjoining the sett of East Wheal Rose.
Between twelve and one o'clock on the day we have named, immense masses
of black
clouds overhung all the hills surrounding East Wheal Rose, and extended as far
as the eye could reach in the horizon. A terrible thunderstorm commenced; the
lightning was very vivid; the rolling of the thunder was at times
awfully loud;
and about one o'clock the rain poured down in such a lashing torrent as
eye-witnesses state they never before saw in England. Persons who had been in
South America state that they have known such torrents in those regions, but
they never before saw such masses of water falling from the clouds in Europe.
The consequence was that in an incredibly short space of time large streams of
water poured down the hills surrounding East Wheal Rose, with impetuous force,
and, uniting at the bottom, formed almost "a perfect sea of water," which
rushed on from south to north in the direction of the narrow ravine we have
mentioned, and directly over the area of the sett. Captain MIDDLETON (the
manager of East Wheal Rose) says that about the time of the storm he
was in the
sawhouse, giving directions to have some timber cut for the mine.
While he was
there it began to rain, and in less than five minutes the water was descending
over the hills in torrents. In a few minutes he sent a man for fifty surface
men to watch the leats, to get them prepared, and see that all was right. He
then sent a man to the counting house for his underground clothes; he changed
his clothes and by the time he came out, the water was going down through the
mine in a perfect sea, being one immense sheet of water. He had then three
hundred men endeavouring to save the timbers, barrows, and other materials, as
well as engaged in raising the shafts for the purpose of keeping the
water from
descending. By that time also their machines were fully employed in
drawing men
to the surface from Stephens's, Carbis's, Gower's, Davey's and Oxnam's shafts,
which last has entirely run together. The water carried large pieces
of timber
and other materials out of the sett as far as Metha bridge. On the
west of the
mine a strong stone bridge had been built by the adventurers about two years
since, one-half of which was carried away by the rushing flood of water. We
have been informed by several who witnessed it, that the water came down upon
the sett in such broad and deep waves that all efforts to keep it from some of
the shafts were at length unavailing. The water, as it rushed towards the
ravine, also deepened; and in this part, at Oxnam's shaft, it is said to have
first entered the mine, although at Magor's shaft, and at other places,
it also
descended. The consequence was that the descent of water occasioned a rush of
air throughout the mine, which blew out the candles, and left the poor miners
in total darkness. Being much alarmed, those who were in favourable levels
immediately proceeded to grass, where they assisted the men who were already
engaged on the surface in attempting to divert the water, or to dam it
out from
descending the shafts and footways. Others of the miners, however, who were
working in deeper levels, or who in ascending the shafts met with the water
pouring down upon them, escaped with their lives with the greatest difficulty.
As the kibbles descended in Gower's shaft the drowning men caught hold
of them,
and were drawn up in clusters, as many as could hold on. The men also
frequently caught hold of the chains, and were drawn up; one man, it is
stated,
coming up with merely a finger or two hitched in the chain. At one
time six men
were drawn up holding on by the kibble; and when it again descended to
the fifty
fathom level, a man named HARRIS and two boys were washed out. Several men
hanging by the kibbles are said to have been so exhausted that they loosened
their hold, and fell down the shafts. In Michell's whim shaft some of the
miners are stated to have climbed the open shaft by holding on to the casing,
the water rising close to their heels as they ascended. Others saved
themselves by climbing fathoms against the force of the water, which was
streaming down upon them; and a number came up the manhole of Michell's shaft,
from which the water was diverted. Between the fifty and forty fathom levels
one man said he had climbed fifteen fathoms by the pumps and rods in Michell's
engine shaft, upon hearing which the captain stopped the engine, fearing he
should kill other men who might be climbing up; and the engine was not again
put to work until it was ascertained that no more were coming up the rods.
Some of those who have escaped assert that many more might have been saved,
even from the lower levels, had they exerted themselves; but the sudden
consciousness of danger, when the water first poured down, and their lights
were put out, seemed completely to paralyze their efforts. We saw one man who
escaped from the eighty fathom level with only a few bruises. It being
fortunately relief time, there were not so many under ground as are usually at
work, nor can the number who were below be correctly ascertained. It is
supposed there were about two hundred, and of these the greater number escaped
with their lives, though many of them were severely injured by the stones and
stuff falling upon them. The wounded were attended to by Mr. VIGURS, of
Newlyn, the surgeon of the mine. The distressing fact was, however,
made known
on the Thursday evening, that forty-two poor fellows were missing, being still
in the workings of the mine. Of these four were found alive in some part of
the fifty fathom level on the Friday morning, their names being WILLIAM
ELLERY,
THOMAS PHILLIPS, STEPHEN HARVEY, and EDWARD HOLMAN. Three of them were
not much
bruised when picked up, but the fourth, at the time of our inquiry, was
confined
to their bed.
Thirty-eight individuals were still missing on the Friday morning, many
of them,
we were sorry to learn, married men with families. The following are their
names:- SIMON MERRIFIELD, unmarried, from St. Enoder; JOHN BENNETTS, married,
Perranzabuloe; RICHARD TIPPET, old man, Newlyn; SILAS ELLERY, unmarried,
Newlyn; SAMUEL MAY, a boy from Perranzabuloe; JAMES CLIFT, unmarried,
Newlyn;
SAMUEL WHERRY, married, Newlyn; RICHARD MICHELL, from idles; GEORGE
TREBILCOCK, unmarried, Perranporth; WILLIAM CEVERN, young man from Newlyn;
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, unmarried, Uny Lelant; FRANCIS WATERS, a married man
residing at Newlyn, (it was supposed on Thursday evening that this man's
partner was with him, which occasioned the report that forty-three instead of
forty-two were in the levels); THOMAS BISHOP, unmarried, St. Allen; HENRY
ROWE, married, Newlyn; WILLIAM LAMPSHIRE, unmarried, Saint Allen; JOSIAH
LANYON, married, St. Allen, FRANCIS LAMPSHIRE, married, St. Allen; ISAAC
BARTLE, married, St. Agnes; MATTHEW WILKINS, unmarried, St. Agnes JOHN
STEPHENS, married man with nine children, St. Allen; JOHN BAILEY, Chacewater;
LUKE PHILLIPS, unmarried, Perranzabuloe; FRANCIS STEPHENS, unmarried,
Perranporth; JAMES COADE, unmarried, Perranzabuloe; PETER WHITE, unmarried,
Breage; WILLIAM HOSKING, young man, Saint Allen; JAMES CLARKE, married
Mitchell; JOHN COTTON ROWE, married, St. Allen; WILLIAM EASTLAKE, married,
Newlyn; WILLIAM JEFFERY, married, St. Allen; WILLIAM PEARCE, and FRANCIS
PEARCE his son, Newlyn (this man is said to have been in a fair way of getting
to the surface, but missing his son he went to look for him and perished);
REUBEN LANYON, unmarried, St. Allen; HENRY PENGELLY, young man, Redruth
highway; JOHN TONKING, a married man it is said from Blackwater, his family
living at Newlyn; JAMES POLLARD, unmarried, Perranzabuloe; MARTIN BICE and
THOMAS BICE, brothers from Kenwyn.
The bodies of two of these unfortunate miners were taken up from Gower's shaft
in the machine kibble, on Friday afternoon. They were immediately conveyed to
the material house to await the coroner's inquest, which was afterwards held,
as reported below. The bodies had the appearance of having been
drowned; there
was a great deal of earth about them, and one was said to be slightly bruised.
They were the bodies of SAMUEL WHERRY, a man about thirty years of age, with a
wife and one child; and of JAMES COADE, a young man, eighteen or
nineteen years
of age. Very light hopes appear to be entertained by the officials of
the mine
and others, that any of the thirty-six unfortunate individuals, who are still
in the levels, will ever be brought to the surface alive. The Michell's
engine-shaft is one hundred fathoms deep, and the water poured down in such
quantities as to fill this and the other shafts of the mine to above the fifty
fathom level. At the hundred fathom, there was only one pair of twelve men
working; but at the ninety, there were several workings, and between that and
the fifty there are several levels. The mine must therefore contain a great
body of water, the levels being generally supposed to be full below the fifty.
A few persons, however, imagine that the air in some of the levels may
keep the
water from penetrating to the back, and they cling to the vain hope that in
these levels some men may yet be found alive when the water is pumped out of
the shafts. To accomplish this, the engines (which are very large) are
working
incessantly at much above their usual speed, and, in fact, as fast as is
consistent with working safely. No estimate can, however, at present
be formed
of the time it will require to pump the water from the mine. The fifty fathom
level, which is a mile long, and in which the water was said to have
penetrated
to the back of the plot, we understood was cleared on the day following the
accident. But it is scarcely expected that all the bodies will be found even
on clearing the mine, some of the levels having probably run together, - the
ground being naturally so porous that when water gets into it, it
swells like a
sponge. The calamity altogether is one of the most fearful and awful in
character that has ever occurred in the annals of mining adventure in this
county. In all probability, according to our present means of judging,
thirty-eight persons in East Wheal Rose and one in North Wheal Rose have been
suddenly swept into eternity by this dire accident.
No blame, however, appears to attach to the adventurers or managers of these
mines. Ever precaution seems to have been taken that human foresight could
have suggested, to prevent the occurrence of accident from floods. The
adventurers of East Wheal Rose had widened the bed of the stream which we have
before mentioned as flowing through their sett, to three or four times
the size
of its natural channel. The leats that are constructed have hitherto
been found
fully sufficient to carry off the water in the most rainy winter season. But
such an overwhelming flood as poured down the hills on Thursday, the 9th
instant, was altogether beyond the range of probability, and could never have
been anticipated by man. The marks of the descending torrents are now visible
in many parts. In one place a large stone from two to three hundred weight,
has been washed down several yards from the hill; half of a substantial bridge
built by the adventurers has been broken down; furrows are observable on the
roads and on the heaps of stuff brought up from the mine; and in one spot of
large extent, around Gower's shaft, a perfect deposit of considerable
depth has
been left by the wash of waters, completely covering the original site.
In what
is termed the Bishop's land, and in Oxnam's, the devastation appears to have
been the greatest. The marks of the water are here discernible on every side,
overspreading the entire surface of the sett. Oxnam's shaft was run together
by the flood, and further to the south where there had been no shaft, but
merely the levels driven beneath, a great "run" has taken place. The ground
was here sunk to a considerable depth, and a number of men, when we saw it on
the Friday, were employed in filling in the chasm. It appears that after the
subsidence of the flood the ground in some places continued to sink; and near
this "run" several cracks still looked dangerous, and showed the porous nature
of the soil. We observed sinkings of the earth in one or two other places; so
that until the mine is cleared out no possible conjecture can be formed of the
amount of damage done to its workings. We were informed that none of the ore
on the surface had been washed away, although some of the tributers'
heaps were
commingled together.
It may be observed that the sudden and immense accumulation of water on this
occasion is variously accounted for. The storm continued to rage for about an
hour and a half, but it is remarkable that the water should sweep down the
hills in such torrents so soon after its commencement. By some the
extraordinary thunder shower is thought sufficient to account for the whole,
while others believe that water-spouts must have fallen on the surrounding
hills, and contributed to the flood. No credible information has, however,
reached us that water spouts were seen in the locality, although we are
informed that the marks of their fall are discernible on the ground in one or
two places. The loss to the adventurers, from the probable running of the
levels, the destruction of timber-work, and the time which the mine is stopped
from working, will doubtless be serious; but to those individuals who
have been
thrown out of their usual labour by this catastrophe, the consequences must be
most calamitous. East Wheal Rose has been a very profitable mine to the
adventurers; the workings are most extensive, there being two powerful pumping
engines and four steam whims in operation, besides two others, we understand,
that were about to be erected. The mine, it is stated, was never in a more
active state of working than immediately before this disaster; the number of
men, women, and children daily employed at grass and in the workings being
1,266. These will be thrown out of employment for a considerable time until
the mine is cleared and resumes working; and unless relief is afforded by the
hand of benevolence, they must suffer the greatest privations.
The scene on the mine, when it became known that so many were missing, was
distressing in the extreme. The relatives and friends of those who had
perished flocked to the spot from all parts of the neighbourhood; and on the
Friday, when the two bodies were taken up, the sobbing and crying among nearly
three hundred people who had assembled, was most affecting to the spectator.
Many were the distressing bereavements of which we heard, from those who had
lost their nearest relatives. The distress and sufferings of widows
and orphan
children, must be very great, unless the adventurers and a
commiserating public
come forward to their relief. We should not omit, in this statement, to
acknowledge the courtesy and kindness of the purser, the captain, and those of
the adventurers who were present, to the representatives of the press. Every
information was readily afforded, and an anxious desire evinced that
the public
should be correctly acquainted with all the circumstances.
THE INQUEST - On the bodies of Samuel Wherry, and James Coade, which were
taken up from Gower's shaft on Friday last, was held on the same day, at East
Wheal Rose account house, before J. CARLYON, Esq., coroner. Captain Middleton
made a statement much to the effect that we have already given. He said that
every exertion was made to save the men by working the whims without drawing
stuff. At Gower's shaft the men came up in the kibble, and clung to the chain
like strands of onions. They were told by one man who came up that some of
those who got into the kibble fell away again from exhaustion. SAMUEL
BASTION,
being sworn, deposed as follows:- I am a miner and worked in East Wheal Rose;
the two deceased, Samuel Wherry and James Coade, also worked there. I was at
work in the south part of the mine, at Turner's shaft, about one o'clock
yesterday (Thursday). We had candles, and in that part where I was working,
they were all blown out by a rush of air, which alarmed us, and we
proceeded to
grass as soon as we could. As soon as we got to the surface, I found that the
water was rushing into different parts of the mine, but more particularly into
Magor's shaft. The miners were then escaping by the different footways in the
best way they could. I afterwards went down to Michell's sump shaft,
and tried
to turn away the water from going into the manhole. I succeeded in
diverting it
from the manhole, and eighteen men came up afterwards. I went down within six
feet of the forty fathom level, and had account that there were more men down
in the plot, but no more came up after that party of eighteen. I cam
up again,
put on a dry suit of clothes, and went over and put a dam to keep the water
back. We went to work to search for the bodies about six o'clock on Friday
morning, at Gower's shaft in the fifty fathom level, and between nine and ten
we found the body of Wherry; James Coade was in another part of the same plot,
and they were both quite dead. We could not find the way down for some time,
not knowing the road, some tributers having been working there. The water had
been to the back of the level where these men were drowned.
RALPH RICHARDS deposed - I was on the surface near Penrose's shaft about one
o'clock when the rain commenced. We expected to have the rain before, as it
looked very dark to the north and east; it continued to rain about an hour and
a half very heavily. We tried to prevent the water from going into the
shafts.
Captain Middleton was there, and all the men that could do anything;
but every
effort was unavailing, because the water poured over all the space of ground
around. Coroner - Was there any means of giving notice to those below to come
up? Witness - Not without danger to our own lives. If it had been thought of
at the commencement, then there would some one have gone down to try to rescue
them; but it was not thought of till it was gone so far that we could not go
down without risking our own lives. In answer to other questions the witness
said, the water gained head suddenly, almost instantaneously; I never saw the
like, nor do I suppose any one else ever saw the like of it. Coroner - What
means were taken to get the men up? Witness - Finding the water was gaining,
the machine whims were put to work, and every assistance that could be
rendered
was rendered in rescuing those under ground. Coroner - How many
escaped through
those means? Witness - I should think two hundred men, or thereabout,
by means
of climbing and of the machines, (some of the jury here expressed dissent,
thinking there were not so many, but the witness persisted that that number
escaped, to the best of his judgment. Coroner - Leaving how many that you
could not account for? Witness - Forty-three men, I believe, of whom
four came
up this morning (Friday), the last man, STEPHEN HARVEY, was taken up
about seven
o'clock.
ISAAC JEWELL said - Yesterday I assisted in trying to prevent the water from
going down into the shafts, and was there to-day helping to find the bodies.
They were found in the fifty plot, and there were marks of the water having
reached to that place so as to drown these men. There were no bruises that I
can speak of about them. From this plot, where they were found, there were no
[......?] of getting up to the surface. The kibbles were sent down several
times, and when the last man came away, he said the water was in the back of
the plot. There were no others there to my knowledge. The Coroner then
addressing the jury, said - There is no doubt but that these were two of the
unfortunate men who were drowned by this stroke of the Almighty yesterday. If
you are satisfied of that, and that every means were used to prevent the water
from getting into the mine, and to extricate those below, the verdict you will
come to will be that of accidental death. This verdict was immediately
returned, and signed by the jury.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS - The excitement throughout the neighbourhood
since the
occurrence of this deplorable accident has been of the most intense
description.
Thousands of people, many of them from a considerable distance, visited the
spot on Saturday and Sunday last. On Saturday two more bodies were found in
the fifty fathom level, that of ISSAC BARTLE, aged 35, and MATTHEW
WILKINS, 15.
An inquest was held on the deceased on Saturday night, before J.
CARLYON, Esq.,
coroner, and a verdict returned of accidental death. On Sunday thirteen more
bodies were found, the names of the deceased being as follows:- JAMES CLARKE,
aged [...?], [.....?] WILLIAMS, 23; WILLIAM JEFFERY, 39; SAMUEL {.......?],
17; FRANCIS LAMPSHIRE, 30; JOSIAH LANYON, 32; WILLIAM LAMPSHIRE, 18; PETER
WHITE, 20; THOMAS BISHOP, 20; JOHN TONKIN, 37; FRANCIS WATERS, 21;
FRANCIS
PEARCE, 16; and GEORGE TREBILCOCK, 23. These were all taken up from
the fifty
fathom level, and an inquest was held on the bodies late on Sunday night.
Evidence was merely given as to the deceased persons having worked in
the mine,
and being found underground. The jury found, as on the previous inquests, a
verdict of accidental death.
NORTH WHEAL ROSE - The sett of this mine adjoins that of East Wheal
Rose, and
the shaft was flooded to above the fifty fathom level at the some time
that the
water broke into East Wheal Rose shafts. There were only twelve men working
under ground at the time in North Wheal Rose, and these all escaped with the
exception of a man named FREDERICK SANDERS. The deceased was found on
Thursday
evening, and on Friday an inquest was held upon the body at Michell, in the
parish of Newlyn, by J. Carlyon, Esq., coroner. The following was the
evidence
adduced- NICHOLAS BENNETTS being sworn, deposed that the deceased was
a miner,
and worked at North Wheal Rose mine, which adjoins East Wheal Rose. Yesterday
he was working at the back of the fifty fathom level, and I was at work there
with him. About one o'clock our lights were blown out by a rush of wind, and
we became alarmed in consequence. We dropped our work and went down to a pass
about seven fathoms below. Deceased then struck a light, and we went
along the
level and got to the engine shaft, where we saw that the water was
pouring down
the mine, and there was no possibility of getting up. We therefore returned,
and hearing voices down at the sixty fathom level, we drew up six men
from that
level to where we were with a tackle. We were afterwards joined by two other
men from the back of the fifty. All of us mounted to the forty by the
footway,
and from thence we again went to the engine shaft. Our lights had been blown
out again, and we were all in the dark. Deceased attempted to get up the
engine shaft against the stream, and he wanted me to go also, but I declined,
and all the others remained with me. He was never seen alive after that. In
about ten minutes we found the whim had been set to work, and six of us, at
four different times, got to the surface by taking hold of the whim
chain. The
other three went to another shaft, and escaped by the same means. There were
twelve men underground at the time the water broke in, and they all escaped
except the deceased.
ROBERT TOZZER deposed that he found the deceased between ten and eleven
o'clock
last evening, on the sollar at the forty fathom level. He was quite dead. As
soon as he was conveyed to the surface, he was taken to his quarters in
Michell. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
TRECAN COTTAGE GARDENING SOCIETY - The twelfth annual exhibition will take
place in Boconnoc park, on Wednesday, the 29th instant. RICHARD BULLER,
Secretary. ARTHUR TATHAM, Treasurer. Dated, July 10, 1846.
FOR QUEBEC. The fast sailing Barque "Countess of Durham," 567 tons
register, JOHN HOGG, master, Will Sail from Helford, on or about the 23rd
instant, for Quebec. Has excellent accommodations for steerage passengers
who will be taken on reasonable terms. Apply to the Master on board, at
Helford; or to Mr. JOHN WHITE, Falmouth. Dated, July 10, 1846.
TO MINERS, &c. FOR VALPARAISO DIRECT - The fine fast-sailing barque
"Catherine Jenkins," A. 1, 600 tons burthen, JOHN MORGAN, Commander, will
sail from Swansea on or about the First of August; has splendid
accommodations for both Cabin and Steerage passengers. Terms as Follows:-
Cabin Passengers...GBP45 each. Steerage Passengers...GBP22 each. For
further particulars apply to Mr. WILLIAM JENKIN, jun., Dated, July 1, 1846.
Shipowner, Swansea.
REPRESENTATION OF ST. IVES - The death of W. T. PRAED, Esq., having
created a vacancy in the representation of this borough, Lord WILLIAM
POWLETT, a brother of the Duke of Cleveland, has issued an address to the
electors, and is likely to be returned without opposition.
THE POTATOE BLIGHT - A correspondent from Lelant informs us that the
blight among the potatoe crops, which occasioned such a sensation last year,
has again made its appearance in that neighbourhood; and, according to
various reports, he fears it has become extensive. The first indications
appear to be a black spot on the leaf, which, spreading rapidly, soon
communicates itself to the stem and tuber below, thus again cutting of from
the farmer and poor labourer their hopes of the next year's potatoe crop.
THE LATE ACCIDENT AT EAST WHEAL ROSE MINE - Since the account in our
fourth page was printed off, we have learned the following additional
particulars:- Early on Monday morning last, four more bodies were found,
those of WILLIAM EASTLAKE, HENRY PENGELLY, FRANCIS STEPHENS, and RICHARD
MICHELL. An inquest was held on those bodies, and a verdict returned of
accidental death as on the previous inquests. In the course of the day, two
men went down in a kibble to endeavour to find bodies, and perceived four
about the sixty fathom level, in Gower's shaft, on a ladder which by some
means had been placed across the shaft. The bodies were jammed closely
together, there being much stuff about them, and in the endeavour to get
them away the ladder broke and they were precipitated to the bottom of the
shaft. The names of three of these were JOHN STEPHENS, RICHARD TIPPETT, and
JAMES CLIFT, the fourth being unknown. On Tuesday, the body of SILAS ELLERY
was found. Up to Wednesday, twenty-five bodies had been taken up, those of
eleven married men and fourteen young men. Thirteen bodies still remain in
the mine, five of which were married men and eight unmarried. The number of
children in the families of those who have perished is about sixty. Up to
the time of our going to press the water was reduced to very nearly the back
of the seventy fathom level, and we are glad to hear that the pumps are
discharging the mine as rapidly as could be expected. With a view to
alleviate the distress of the widows and families of the men whose lives
were lost by this calamity, a meeting of the mine committee was held at
Truro on Tuesday last, when it was resolved that the sum of GBP500 should be
appropriated by the adventurers to the relief of the widows and families of
the poor men who have fallen victims, and that the same should be
distributed by the purser, manager, and Captain CHAMPION, with the
assistance of the Rev. E. DIX, of Newlyn, and the Rev. G. MORRIS, of St.
Allen. This act of benevolence is honourable to the adventurers, and we are
happy to learn that private sympathy has also been excited for the relief of
the unfortunate sufferers. Immediately on this accident being known, the
Bishop of Exeter, in the kindest manner possible, wrote to the Rev. Edward
Dix, the Vicar of Newlyn, desiring him to offer a large contribution on the
part of himself and his sons towards any subscription that might be set on
foot, and requesting him, in the mean time, to afford immediate relief to
the suffering families at his lordship's expense. We are also happy to add
that a general subscription has commenced under favourable circumstances,
and that the list of subscribers will be published in our paper next week.
In the mean time, we shall be happy to received subscriptions at our office,
or they may be paid to the Vicar of Newlyn, the Vicar of St. Allen, or at
either of the Banks of Truro.
SINGULAR PHENOMENON - On Sunday, the 5th instant, during the thunder storm
which passed over this county, an extraordinary oscillation of the sea was
observed in Mount's Bay. The tide rose and fell repeatedly from three to
four feet, at intervals of about fifteen minutes, each influx and efflux
occupying from five to ten minutes. Boats at Penzance, St. Michael's Mount,
and Newlyn, after the tide had left them, were repeatedly floated and left
dry. On the same day, in 1843, similar agitations occurred during a thunder
storm in Mount's Bay and other parts of the kingdom.
MINE ACCIDENTS - On Monday last, a young man called GRENFELL, was very
seriously hurt at Balleswidden Mine. It appears that during the time which
elapsed from his leaving work on Saturday, till his return on Monday, a
"scale" of ground had fallen away, so as to weaken the stays of a ladder
Grenfell had to descend, and which fell with him immediately on his entering
it. We regret to learn that great doubts are entertained of his recovery.
On Thursday, a man named JENKIN, met with a serious accident at Poldice
Mine, a scale of ground having fallen on him and severely crushed his legs.
Hopes are, however, entertained of his recovery.
On Wednesday last, whilst two men, of the name of RICHARDS and TRELOAR, were
employed in blasting a rock in one of the levels in Wheal Lovell
Consolidated Mines, near Helston, the hole exploded prematurely, and so
lacerated Richards that his life was for some time despaired of. Treloar
was also much injured, but hopes are now entertained that both of them will
recover.
NOTICE - I Hereby Give Notice, that Mr. THOMAS LITTLE, (lately in my
service as a Clerk), has been discharged by me from my employ. WILLIAM
TRENERY. Mining Office, 50, Threadneedle Street, London, July 14, 1846.
24 JULY 1846, Friday
EMIGRATION - The bark "Triton," with emigrants from Penzance, arrived at
Quebec, on the 23rd ult., after a fine passage of thirty nine days. She to
ok
out one hundred passengers, who were all safely landed, with the exception
of
one child, who died on the passage.
THE NAVY - Mr. PENDARVES CHARLES JOHN MOSS, (eldest son of Lieut. CHARLES
MOSS, R.N., commanding H.M. Revenue Cruizer, "Wickham," on the coast of
Ireland), has been appointed a Master's Assistant, of her Majesty's ship
"Caledonia," at Devonport.
FALMOUTH POLICE - Two youths, named DERFRIEZ and YATES, were
committed to the
town prison, Falmouth, on Tuesday last, for trial at the next quarter
sessions,
for stealing cabbages from Mr. W. NOBBS, gardener.
SMUGGLING - On Monday last, before the magistrates at Truro, ROBERT
HAWKEY was
charged upon the information of JOHN SCAPLEN STANSMORE, collector of custom
s,
with having 10lbs. weight of smuggled cigars in his possession on the 19th
instant. The accused was remanded until Monday next, to afford time to
communicate with the Board of customs.
JOHN WITHERS and SAMUEL WESTCOTT were charged upon the information of WILLI
AM
WYNHALL, a commissioned boatman of the coast-guard, with having a quantity
of
smuggled tobacco in their possession. The accused were seamen
belonging to the
Barque "Rosalind Castle," lying at Restronguet, in the Truro river, and on
Sunday the 19th inst., they were seen by the coast-guard boatman to
come ashore
in the sip's boat, the second mate, GEORGE TOOGOOD, being also in the boat.
When they reached the shore, the boatman observed the two men to be rather
bulky about their persons, and walking up he asked what they had about them
?
They said nothing, upon which he said he believed they had, and accused
them of
having tobacco. Afterwards, on searching them, he found two pounds of toba
cco
concealed on each of their persons. The magistrates fined John Withers in
the
mitigated penalty of 30s. and Samuel Westcott in the mitigated penalty of
?2.
George Toogood, the second mate of the "Rosalind Castle," was then
charged with
being on board the boat which brought the tobacco to land. It appeared tha
t
besides the tobacco found on the persons of Withers and Westcott, a parcel
of
about two pounds was afterwards discovered floating on the water as having
apparently been thrown from the boat. The second mate, however,
pleaded entire
ignorance of the tobacco being in the boat, but notwithstanding his
protestations he was fined 5s. The boat, which is worth ?18, we understa
nd is
also to be forfeited. It did not appear that the captain or chief mate of
the
"Rosalind Castle" were at all cognisant of the proceedings of the men.
ROBBERY OF A WAREHOUSEMAN - On Saturday last, a warehouseman named WILLIA
MS,
who has been sixteen years employed at the grocery establishment of Messrs.
HARVEY, at Hayle, was committed for trial at the ensuing assizes, for
abstracting money from one of the tills in the shop.
IMPOSTER - We are requested to caution the public against the
impositions of a
man calling himself JOHN THOMAS, of Mullion, who is travelling the
country with
a petition stating that he has lost two horses, five pigs, two cows, and a
two-year old colt in the space of eight days, the animals being worth GBP70
,
and their death attributed to poisoning. Mr. JOSE, churchwarden of Mullion
,
states that no such loss has occurred in that parish.
THE LATE ACCIDENT AT EAST WHEAL ROSE - Since this calamitous occurrence t
he
engines have continued working with all possible speed, and have succeeded
in
discharging the water faster than was anticipated. As we stated last week,
up
to Wednesday, the 15th inst., twenty five bodies had been taken up, the nam
es
of which were in our account of the accident. On Thursday, the 16th instan
t,
the bodies of JOHN COTTON ROWE, aged 31, SIMON MERRIFIELD, aged 18, and HEN
RY
ROWE, 20, were found at the seventy-fathom level, in Michell's whim-shaft.
On
Saturday last, the bodies of MARTIN BICE, aged 24, THOMAS BICE, 20, and JAM
ES
POLLARD, 22 were found in the footways in Penrose's shaft; Pollard was fou
nd
about eight fathoms below the seventy-fathom level, and Thomas Bice
about three
fathoms above. On this day, Capt. MIDDLETON, by way of stimulus to the men
offered ten shillings for the recovery of each body. On Sunday last, the
bodies of REUBEN LANYON, aged 23, and JOHN BENNETTS, 31, were found; that o
f
Reuben Lanyon in the kibble plot of the seventy-fathom level, and that of J
ohn
Bennetts in the eighty-fathom, about nine feet in from the shaft. On Monda
y
last, four men went down to search for the bodies, which, as we stated last
week, were discovered on a ladder across Gower's shaft, and in attempting t
o
remove them, were precipitated to the bottom of the shaft. Finding there w
ere
still eight feet of water over these bodies, the men got a long iron
cork, with
which they removed some boards, and two or three of the bodies floated. Th
ey
at length succeeded in getting them all up; their names - {regret, but
paper is
torn here} - WILLIAM KEVERNE, aged [..?], [...?] CLIFT, 24, WILLIAM [..?],
{...?] TIPPETT, 38[?].
...first inquest, of accidental death. Four bodies are still remaining in
the
mine, those of JOHN BAILEY, LUKE PHILLIPS, WILLIAM PEARSE, and JOHN STEPHEN
S.
The engines have reduced the water to the bottom of the eighty-fathom level
at
both engine shafts, and the mine is soon expected to be "in fork." It is
stated that the levels and workings of the mine, as far as have been explor
ed,
have been found in a better condition than could have been expected, and th
e
injury to the mine by the accident is much less than was anticipated.
The list
of subscribers for the relief of the unfortunate sufferers by this accident
will be found in our advertising columns; and besides the many instances of
individual benevolence which it exhibits, we are happy to find that the
town of
Launceston has set a noble example to other towns in the county be generous
ly
coming forward with a subscription of GBP25.
FIRE - On Tuesday evening last, about six o'clock, a fire broke out in th
e
dwelling-house of a farm called Trevaster, in the parish of Kea, and in the
occupation of Mr. WILLIAM CRAGO. The house had a thatched roof, which was
ignited by sparks from the low chimney. The fire was first discovered by a
child playing in the yard, who ran to inform the inmates; but such was the
progress of the flames that all attempts to quench them were unavailing. T
he
situation of the house is not far from the river, but the tide being at
ebb, no
water could be obtained; the whole of the interior of the house was,
therefore,
speedily consumed, leaving nothing but the outside walls in a tottering
condition. A portion only of the furniture was saved, and all the destroye
d
property, we understand, was uninsured.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held since our last
report, before J. CARLYON, Esq., coroner:- On Saturday last, at Redruth, o
n
the body of SAMUEL TERRELL, aged twenty-two years. On the Thursday precedi
ng,
he was employed as kibble-filler at the fifty fathom level in North Wheal
Basset mine. There was no one with him at the time, but a miner called THO
MAS
BISHOP, who was working in the end of the same level, about fourteen or
fifteen
fathoms distant, thought he heard Samuel Terrell screeching. He ran to the
plot to see what was the matter, and heard the deceased above calling to th
e
Lord to have mercy on him, and immediately afterwards the unfortunate man f
ell
down the shaft. It would appear that he got entangled in the slack of the
chain or rope attached to the kibble, and was drawn up by it about twenty-f
ive
fathoms, where the two kibbles met, and then becoming disentangled, he fell
.
The injuries he received by the fall were such as to leave no hope of his
recovery, and he died at his house in Redruth on the following day. Verdic
t,
accidental death.
On Tuesday last, at Truro, on the body of WILLIAM DREW, aged
sixty-three years.
Deceased was a mason's labourer, employed at the building of the New Market
House, at Truro. It appeared that he and two others were standing on the
ground hoisting a truss on the top of a wall by a rope and pulley, and as t
hey
were placing it in its position, a board on the scaffolding fell down and
struck the deceased on the head. He was immediately laid on a stretcher an
d
taken to the infirmary, but died just as he got there. JOHN HALL, the
superintendent of the workmen, saw the board falling, and called out to the
three men; two of them ran away, but the deceased, being deaf and dumb,
did not
hear the cry of danger. Verdict, Accidental death.
An inquest was held at the Seven Stars Inn, St. Austell, on Tuesday
last, before
J. HAMLEY, jun., Esq., deputy coroner, on view of the body of GEORGE SAVAGE
,
aged 45 years, who died on the previous day from bruises occasioned by bein
g
thrown out of a gig on the 14th [?] instant. Verdict, accidental death.
SHERIFF'S COURT - Before J. G. CHILCOTT, Esq., Under Sheriff. WILLIAM SH
OLL
v. CHARLES DAVIS. - Mr. Stokes appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr.
Bennallack
for the defendant. This was an action brought by the plaintiff, who is a
butcher, at Truro, to recover from the defendant, residing at
Tresillian, a sum
of money alleged to be due for meat supplied to the vessel "Eliza Ann," of
which the defendant was the registered owner. The items were, a quarter
hundred weight of beef, delivered in November last, 12s.; a half hundred
weight delivered in December, ?1. 4s.; and twenty-seven pounds of beef an
d
mutton supplied in January, 11s. 6 ? d., forming a total amount of ?2.
7s. 6 ?
d. JOHN WILLIAMS, landlord of the Bear Inn, Truro, said that GEORGE GILBER
T,
the former captain of the "Eliza Ann," came to his house on the 24th of las
t
November; he was very ill, and Mr. KIRKNESS afterwards attended him at
witness's house. He had since died. While he was there, witness made up h
is
account for meat supplied to the "Eliza Ann," and afterwards gave it to him
.
He then told witness that there was a quarter-hundred weight of beef he
had had
more than was charged. He said that when he came to join the vessel, he ha
d
been out of employ a considerable time, and his circumstances not being ver
y
good, he asked Mr. Sholl to have a quarter hundred weight of beef extra; h
e
might be detained some time in Wales, and money being short it would be an
accommodation to him; if the meat were not made use of that voyage, it woul
d
serve for the next. Witness, to oblige Captain Gilbert, went out the next
day
to Mr. Davis's, and told him of the illness of the captain, and where the
vessel was. Witness went then to Malpas with Mr. Davis, and went on board,
where he saw the mate, Mr. SAUL. Captain Gilbert some days after again
mentioned to witness about his having the meat, and on the 1st of December,
when he left the house, he said to witness "I am going home and hope to ret
urn
again, but if I should not, don't forget to tell Mr. Davis about the
quarter-hundred weight of beef." Accordingly the first time afterwards tha
t
witness saw Mr. Davis he mentioned it, upon which Mr. Davis said "why I hav
e
got here an account for one hundred and quarter, (producing a settled accou
nt
dated 1st November, for which ?3 was charged.) Mr. Bennallack contended
that
the statement of the deceased captain was not admissible as evidence. The
case, however, proceeded; and Mr. THOMAS AVERY, comptroller of customs at
Truro, produced the registry declaration, kept at the custom-house,
whereby the
defendant declared himself to be the sole owner of the "Eliza Ann," 77 tons
burden; he also produced the registry and license bonds of the defendant.
NANCY LILLY, of Malpas, was called to give evidence in reference to the sec
ond
item. She stated that a little before Christmas, she brought a message fro
m
Captain Saul (who took charge of the vessel in consequence of Mr. Gilbert's
illness) to Mr. Sholl, the plaintiff, desiring him to send down meat as qui
ck
as he could, as the vessel was ready for sea; she could not recollect the
quantity of meat that was named. (Saul, it was stated, was in America, and
could not be brought forward.) JAMES SHOLL, brother of the plaintiff
recollected Mrs. Lilly coming to his brother's stall, and delivering a mess
age
to him for half a hundred weight of beef, to be sent on board the "Eliza an
d
Ann," at Malpas; it was delivered to a man named BAKER, to carry down. The
price of beef about that time was 48s. the cwt., and they charged the same
for
mutton when supplied to a ship. WM. BAKER, proved the taking of the meat t
o
Malpas on a horse lent to him by Mr. James Sholl; he delivered it to Mr. Sa
ul,
on board the "Eliza Ann." EMMA SHOLL, daughter of the plaintiff, gave
evidence
with regard to the third item. In the beginning of this year a sailor came
to
her for twenty-seven pounds of beef for the "Eliza Ann." She delivered it
to
him, and lent him a basket to put it in; she afterwards saw the same basket
at
her father's stall, but did not know who returned. JAMES ROLLS, at present
captain of the "Eliza Ann," said he brought the basket from the vessel, and
supposing it to be Mr. Sholl's, he sent it to him. Mr. Bennallack then
renewed
his objection to receiving the statement of Capt. Gilbert, contending that
the
declaration ought to have been in writing. Mr. Stokes replied, and the Cou
rt
decided to admit the statement as evidence, but gave leave to move for a ne
w
trial upon the first item. Mr. Bennallack then addressed the jury, the
Under-Sheriff summed up, and a verdict was returned for the plaintiff for t
he
whole amount claimed.
INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT - On Tuesday last, CHARLES PHILLIPS, Esq.,
one of her
Majesty's Commissioners for the relief of Insolvent debtors, held his court
at
the County Hall, Bodmin. The following were the only cases for hearing:-
ANN
ANGWIN, late of the parish of Phillack, widow. This was a case adjourned f
rom
the last hearing for amendment of the schedule. Mr. WERE now opposed
for Mr. S
HIGGS, of Penzance, the detaining creditor, and Mr. BENNETT appeared for th
e
insolvent, as before. The grounds of opposition were stated to be the gene
ral
insufficiency of the schedule and balance sheet, and omission of
property {page
torn here [... examination, however of.... ... .. material
was......after....?]
HOWE, of Plymouth, draper, &c., for drapery and other goods. She wa
s
opposed by Mr. LITTLE of Devonport, for Mr. Howe, the detaining creditor, a
nd
Mr. C. COODE and Mr. BENNETT appeared on her behalf. The insolvent, for th
e
last five years, had kept a small grocer's shop at Luxulian, and the
grounds of
opposition to her discharge were stated to be the concealment of property,
to
which it was alleged she was entitled under the will of her late husband.
The
Probate of the Will was then produced, and it appeared that she took no
exclusive interest in anything under it, but that all the property disposed
of
by it was given to trustees for the benefit of other persons. The
Commissioner
said there was no concealment of property, and that he could see no reason
why
the insolvent should not be discharged. The learned opposing advocate then
took another objection, and said he could show that the prisoner had obtain
ed
credit without having any reasonable prospect of being able to pay, and for
this purpose called a Mr. WILLS; but after examining him at some length, th
e
Commissioner thought the objection was not supported, and ordered the
insolvent
to be discharged forthwith.
EXETER DISTRICT BANKRUPTCY COURT - re:- FREDERICK SLY, of Truro,
currier. The
bankrupt came up to pass his last examination. He was interrogated at grea
t
length by Mr. STOGDON respecting a bill of sale of all his stock and effect
s,
which he gave in 1843 to his cousin JACOB LANNING, a butler in the service
of
Sir CHARLES LEMON, Bart., M.P., in consideration of ?145, money previousl
y
borrowed from him. In January last, Lanning took possession under the
assignment, and sold all the property on the bankrupt's premises. It appea
red
that some acceptances, given by the bankrupt to one or two of his creditors,
had been dishonoured shortly before this occurrence; and Mr. COLE, a credit
or
who had suffered a disappointment of this sort, had threatened him with
proceedings. The bankrupt denied having given his cousin any intimation th
at
he was in difficulties. He had heard that some person had written to his
cousin about him, and he went out to Carclew to see his cousin and know
what it
was. His cousin was in bed, ill, and sent down stairs to say, in
answer to the
bankrupt's message, that the subject was too painful for him to attend to in
his present weak state. His cousin had previously given instructions to his
attorney to enforce the bill of sale; and whilst the bankrupt was at Carclew,
he received a message from home desiring him to return immediately. When he
came back, he found the lawyer there. The bankrupt was examined with
reference
to some charges made by his cousin's legal adviser in the sale account; and
in
giving his answer he added, "when lawyers get money into their hands they t
ake
what they please."
The Commissioner - Do not be so flippant, Mr. Sly; - there may be dishonest
persons in other trades.
The Bankrupt apologised for his inadvertent observation.
The Commissioner - Nothing is more common than for bankrupts who have been
cheating their creditors to come and stand up here, and abuse everybody els
e.
It is a flippancy which does you no credit.
The bankrupt - I beg your Honour's pardon, - but I do think this is a most
shameful charge.
The Commissioner - Turn to your own balance sheet, and see if there is not
something still more disgraceful. Your cousin gets the whole of your
property,
and your creditors get nothing.
It appeared that the business was still nominally carried on by bankrupt's
father-in-law, WILLIAM HOCKING, a smelter, and his brother, GEORGE SLY, a
tailor of St. Ives; but in reality under the superintendence of bankrupt an
d
his wife - the former buying and selling leather in his brother's name,
and the
latter making various payments of wages and other sums. The names of Hocki
ng
and Sly were over the door of the workshop. The case was adjourned, as som
e
alterations were necessary in the schedule, which had not been filed at the
proper time.
PARTNERSHIP DISSOLVED - I Hereby Give Notice, that the Partnership
heretofore
subsisting between NICHOLAS PEDLAR and Myself, Chair and Bowl Makers, in th
e
borough of Penryn, in the county of Cornwall, was Dissolved on the 31st day
of
December, 1844; and that I will not be responsible for any debt or debts th
e
said Nicholas Pedlar may or shall have contracted from the above date. As
witness my hand, this 20th day of July, 1846. JOHN PEDLER. Witness, JAMES
EDGCOME RICHARDS.
Letters from SINGAPORE, (....)ity, and have arrived, dated 25th May, concerning
(....) the particulars of the capture of the Dutch (.............) "Chameleon," on the
Banka Coast, and (....) of the officers and crew by the horde of pirates that infest that
part of the globe.
[This bottom section was torn, with parts missing.]
31 JULY 1846, Friday
THE LATE ACCIDENT AT EAST WHEAL ROSE - Since the occurrence of this
calamity various reports have been in circulation in the neighbourhood
reflecting on the adventurers and agents for improper working for the mine,
and for its insecurity, which, it was alleged, had been represented to the
captains without effect, before the occurrence of the recent accident. We
have never before alluded to these reports, for the reason that we never
understood them to proceed from any source on which reliance might be
placed; and we are now glad to find, that at an inquest held at the mine on
Wednesday last, the whole of these rumours have received a positive
contradiction from the lips of witnesses on oath. The inquest to which we
allude was held in the account-house before John Carlyon, Esq., coroner, on
a man named JAMES BAYLEY, whose body was found in the bottom of the fifty
fathom level at Purser's shaft. In order that the inquiry should be of the
most satisfactory kind, the coroner directed to be summoned, as a jury,
fifteen respectable farmers of the neighbourhood, none of whom had sat on
the previous inquests on bodies recovered from the mine. The names of the
Jury were as follows:- HUGH HOTTEN, foreman, HENRY ROWE, JAMES PARKS,
THOMAS FRANCIS, JOHN DAW, WILLIAM DAW, JOHN HARBERT, ROBERT VARCOE, HENRY
ARGALL, JOHN OXNAM, JAMES LAWRY, WILLIAM PARKS, SAMUEL JEFFERY, MARK MARTYN,
THOMAS TIPPET.
The Coroner, in his charge to the jury, said they were assembled to see if
it could be proved that the deceased, JAMES BAYLEY, was one of the
unfortunate men who lost their lives in East Wheal Rose mine on the 9th
instant; and to deliver their verdict on the cause of his death. In
consequence of some reports which had got into circulation relative to the
way in which the mine had been worked, and the insecurity of it, he had felt
it his duty to desire the constable to summon fifteen of the respectable
farmers of the neighbourhood, and he was now glad to see them there
assembled. He would first call their attention to some of the reports which
he had hears, and he was anxious that they should investigate the matter
fully, and say by their verdict whether there was any blame or censure to be
attached to the agents, or any parties in connection with the mine. He
wished to draw their attention particularly to one report, which was that
there had been an apprehension amongst the miners that the channels and
leats for carrying off the surface water were insufficient, and that they
had complained of it. Another report was, that there had not been a
sufficient quantity of timber employed for timbering up the mine securely,
and that complaints had been made to the captains and agents that the mine
was insecure, which had not been attended to. He hoped they would satisfy
themselves on these points, and for this purpose any witnesses that they
might think it necessary to examine should be brought before them. The
first witness called was - JOHN JAMES, who deposed as follows:- I am a
miner, and work in East Wheal Rose mine. Yesterday morning JAMES ROBERTS,
myself, and two little boys went down Purser's shaft to clear the levels.
Near the bottom of the fifty fathom level we found the body of deceased; he
was buried under some stuff which appeared to have fallen from a pass near
by. He was taken as soon as possible to the surface. Neither of us knew
him when alive, and consequently cannot identify the body. WILLIAM ASHTON,
of Trispin, smith, said the deceased was my brother-in-law, and was
forty-three years of age; he resided at Trispin, in St. Erme. I was present
last evening when the body was taken up, and can identify it as the body of
James Bayley. He was employed in East Wheal Rose mine on the 9th instant,
when the water broke in.
JOHN MIDDLETON deposed as follows:- I am the principal captain of East
Wheal Rose mine, and have been employed there in that capacity for the last
eleven or twelve years. There are three other captains, it is the duty of
all the captains to go under ground every day, and see the men at work in
every part of the mine. Some of the captains go down also at all hours of
the night, but I only go down by day. I was down the day before the late
accident happened, and captains CHAMPION and CHEGWIDDEN were down at the
time the water broke in. The captains are bound to see that the mine is
securely timbered, and I always considered it was. I am sure each of the
other captains thought the same. There are no less than five men employed
on the mine called timber-men, who are principally employed in timbering up
the levels and shafts. They help themselves to as much timber as they
require for this purpose. They also deliver timber to the miners themselves
every morning, and it has frequently been delivered at night as well, when
required. The miners have sometimes tried to get timber, and have not been
supplied. This has not occurred in consequence of there being any scarcity
of timber on the mine, but from its being known to the timber men and agents
that it was not wanted. The timber men are invariably allowed to help
themselves to as much as they want. No complaints have ever been made to
me, or that I know of to either of the other captains of the insecurity of
the mine for want of timber. We all considered it perfectly secure, or we
should have secured it for our own sakes, as well as on account of the men.
I cannot say exactly what quantity of timber is used in the mine without
referring to the mine books, but I should think that our timber bills amount
to from GBP450 to GBP500 every month. With respect to the water breaking in
on the 9th instant, every means that we could think of to guard against such
an occurrence had been previously adopted. About five years ago an extra
leat or channel was cut, in addition to the other leats or cuttings then on
the mine, which were considered amply sufficient to carry off all the
surface water. They were found to be so until the late flood, which was of
a very extraordinary character; I never saw anything like it before. The
water rose so suddenly that it was impossible to warn the men below of their
danger. Before the 9th instant no complaints had ever been made to me, or
to either of the other captains, that the channels for carrying off the
surface water were inadequate for the purpose. When some water broke into
the mine about three years ago, it was in consequence of the main adit
falling in, which was an accident. This caused the water which ought to
have gone out through the adit to pool back into the mine. The adit was
repaired as soon after as possible, and has been thoroughly cleared up every
summer since that period. It had just been cleared up before the accident on
the 9th instant. There were no less than twelve footways in the mine at the
time the water broke in; one of them in Oxnam's land went together at that
time. Now there are eleven footways. Some of the leats are shallow, but
the means for carrying off the surface water were considered to be so ample
that no danger of the water getting into the mine was apprehended by any one
that I know of. They were not shallower than in other mines. No complaints
had been made to me, or to either of the captains of the insecurity of any
footway on this account. All our underground work is invariably taken on
setting days, the same as in other mines, and survey notices are posted
about some days previous to the setting days. This applies to both tutwork
and tribute. We very frequently find that more men attend our surveys than
we have work for and I am quite confident that no one has ever had any
inducement held out to him by any agent in the mine of higher wages to tempt
him to work in any part of the mine.
SAMUEL BASTION deposed - I have been employed as one of the timbermen at
East Wheal Rose for the last two years. It is our duty to go through every
part of the mine to see that it is properly timbered. There are four
timbermen besides myself, which is quite a sufficient number for the present
workings. Three or four years ago, when the mine was not so extensive,
there was only one. The timbermen have always had as much timber as they
required, and I have myself used whole balks, halves, and whatever
description of timber I wanted. There has always been an ample supply of
timber on the mine since I have known it. In my opinion the whole of the
mine was securely timbered at the time the water broke in on the 9th
instant. I never heard a complaint made of the mine being insecure in
consequence of an insufficiency of timber.
PETER COURTIS deposed - I am a miner, and have worked in East Wheal Rose for
the last eight years and upwards, sometimes at tutwork and sometimes at
tribute in different parts of the mine. The surveys and settings have been
held exactly the same as in other mines. In my opinion the mine has always
been properly timbered, and I believed that the leats and channels were
amply sufficient for carrying off the surface water. I never apprehended
any danger from the water breaking in, or from the insecurity of the mine in
any respect. I recollect the water breaking in about two years ago at the
lower side of Purser's shaft; it got down through the shingle. A new leat
was cut in consequence to carry off the water a different way, and the place
were it got in was boarded over. The water has never got in there since.
THOMAS BENNETTS deposed as follows:- I am employed as one of the sawyers in
East Wheal Rose. JOHN MARTYN, myself, and two boys attend to the saw-mills;
and there are eight other men called pit sawyers, also in constant employ on
the mine. I have been so employed for the last five years, and during all
that time there has been an ample supply of timber of every description
required for the purposes of the mine on the spot.
At this period of the proceedings the jury declared themselves to be
perfectly satisfied with the evidence already given, and that the calling of
any more witnesses was totally unnecessary. They then returned a verdict of
"accidental death," and stated that they saw no cause to attach any blame or
censure to any person. They quite exonerated the agents and adventurers
from all blame. Three bodies are still remaining in the mine, those of LUKE
PHILLIPS, WILLIAM PEARSE, and JOHN STEPHENS. The workings of the mine are
resumed in many places, and the water is fast draining from the two deepest
levels. At Michell's engine-shaft there are from ten to fifteen fathoms of
water still to be drained.
SEVERE THUNDER STORM - Early on the morning of the 30th instant, a heavy
storm passed over Truro, which, from the rolling of the thunder, appeared to
be even more severe at a distance. The flashes of Lightning, which were
very vivid, followed each other in quick succession, and at intervals heavy
showers of rain fell. At Chacewater, there, we understand the storm was
remarkably violent, a man named JAMES RICHARDS, was killed by the lightning.
He was a shoemaker, living with his mother; and having got up early in the
morning, he went into another room, where, it is stated, he opened the
window to look out, and was instantly struck dead by a flash of lightning.
It is also reported that the end of a house at Seveock has been struck
through by the electric fluid, and the flooring of the rooms broken up.
NEW SCOTCH COLLEGE - It is said that the Rev. L. SCOTT, Prebendary of
Exeter, has withdrawn from the wardenship of this College at Perth, N.B.
TRURO TOWN COUNCIL - On Monday last, Mr. CHARLES STOKES EDSALL was
appointed auditor in the room of the late Mr. WOOTTON.
THE CUSTOMS - GEORGE O'NEILL, Esq., formerly chief officer of Customs at
the port of Hayle, whence he was promoted to the situation of Comptroller at
Tralee, Ireland, has been promoted to the Comptrollership at Hartlepool and
Durham.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS - At a recent meeting of the Court of Examiners,
Mr. JOHN KEMPTHORNE, of Bodmin, passed his examination, and was admitted a
member of this college.
APOTHECARIES HALL - The following gentlemen have just received
certificates of qualification to practice as Apothecaries:- CHARLES ROOKE
PRANCE, of Plymouth, and WALTER YONGE, of St. Ives, in this county.
SCILLY ISLES - It is stated that arrangements have been made with the
Postmaster General for the conveyance of the mail twice a week between
Penzance and Scilly, instead of once as hitherto. For this purpose the
cutter "Lionesse," we understand, will leave Scilly on Mondays and Fridays,
and return on Wednesdays and Saturdays; but the permanent fixing of the
sailing days must be left to trial, as others may be found hereafter to be
more suitable.
SHERIFF'S COURT - In this Court, held at Truro, on Friday last, before J.
G. CHILCOTT, Esq., Under-Sheriff, an action was brought by JOHN PARKYN, of
Liskeard, against JACOB GRIGG, of St. Cleer. Mr. PEDLER, who sought to
recover the sum of GBP10, being the amount of a bill of exchange drawn by
the plaintiff and accepted by the defendant. The bill bore date the 12th of
February, and was made payable at three months, becoming due on the 15th of
May; and the plaintiff asked for interest on the amount from that time. Mr.
Pedler called MARTIN MATTHEWS, of Liskeard, who proved the acceptance of the
bill to be in the defendant's hand-writing; and there being no defence to
the action, the jury immediately returned a verdict for the plaintiff for
GBP10, with interest.
CAUTION TO VAN DRIVERS - At the last magistrates' meeting, at Trecan Gate,
THOMAS HARRIS, omnibus driver from Redruth to Devonport, was fined in the
mitigated penalty of 20s., for taking more than half of the turnpike road,
near Glynn, and for assaulting Master WILLIAM CLARKE, of Bodmin. The
defendant would have been fined GBP5 but for the request of Mr. T. Clarke to
lessen the fine, in consequence of his having a large family. No driver has
any right to more than one-half of any public road.
CAUTION TO LABOURERS - At the last magistrates' meeting, at Bodmin, two
parties of labourers were had before the bench for not fulfilling their
contracts with Mr. THOMAS CLARKE, when they were ordered to do so, and pay
expenses, or go to Bridewell.
TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, JOHN HUDDY, a mason was brought up under a
warrant for disobedience of an order of affiliation. He pleaded inability
to pay the sum required of him, GBP2. 10s. 8d. for maintenance and costs,
and was committed for two months with hard labour.
ROBERT HAWKEY was charged upon the information of Mr. STANSMORE, collector
of customs at Truro, with having in his possession ten pounds and a half of
smuggled cigars. The accused had been remanded from the 20th inst. in order
to communicate with the Board of Customs, and Mr. T[?] AVERY, comptroller of
customs of Truro, now stated that an order had been received from the Board
to press for conviction in the penalty of GBP100. Policeman FITZSIMMONS
said that on Sunday, the 19th inst., he received information of a man having
offered a box of smuggled cigars for sale at the Punchbowl, in Feock, at 6s.
per hundred. He immediately went with the person who gave him the
information, and on the road they met the man, who was carrying the box. He
took him into custody, and sent for Mr. Stansmore, who came and seized the
cigars in the Queen's name. Mr. J. S. Stansmore deposed that he received
the box from the policeman; it contained cigars, which he apprehended to be
smuggled, and therefore seized them. The prisoner, when called upon for his
defence, said he bought the cigars of a woman in Falmouth market, and paid
her the money, not knowing them to have been smuggled. He bought one
thousand of them, and had since carried about the box quite openly. He had
been working for the last two years in a malthouse in Devonport. In answer
to the magistrates, the prisoner said he had no permit. He was then
convicted in the full penalty of GBP100, and in default of payment was
committed to prison for an unlimited period, until the Board should think
proper to release him. The magistrates, it appears, have no power of
mitigating the penalty under the 8th and 9th Victoria; but the prisoner was
informed that he might petition the Board. It was stated, however, that he
had once before offended against the customs' laws, in 1838, when he kept a
malthouse in St. Issey, where eighteen gallons of smuggled brandy, besides
malt, were seized.
SMUGGLING - On Tuesday last, Mr. GOODWIN, mate of the ship "Harvest Home,"
lately returned from Quebec, was charged before the magistrates of Falmouth
with having had 13 lbs. of contraband tobacco concealed in his cabin. He
was remanded until Saturday next, to await the instructions of the Board of
Customs.
SINGULAR ESCAPE - On Thursday, the 23rd instant, as a man named GUY was
employed with another drawing attle from the No. 7 adit shaft of Wheal
Trenance mine, while landing the kibble he fell from the brace head
foremost. After descending some fathoms, he got entangled in the rope,
which guided him from the sides to the bottom of the shaft, a depth of from
eighteen to twenty fathoms; and although his descent was so rapid, with the
exception of a few cuts on the head, and some severe bruises about the legs
and arms, he escaped unhurt, not a bone being broken or dislocated.
NOTICE - Having seen a Notice in the West Briton of last week, stating
that a Dissolution of Partnership has taken place between NICHOLAS and JOHN
PEDLER, Chair and Bowl Makers, in the Borough Penryn; I hereby positively
state that no such dissolution has taken place. Signed, NICHS. PEDLER.
Dated, Penryn, July 28, 1846.
NOTICE - All persons to whom the late Mr. BENNAT JOHNS of Tregellan, in
the parish of Lanivet, in the county of Cornwall, gentleman, deceased, was
indebted at the time of his death are requested to forward their accounts
forthwith, to Mr. EDWARD JOHNS, the younger, of Trefoil, in the said parish,
that they may be examined and paid. And all persons who were indebted to
the late Mr. B. Johns, are requested to pay such debts forthwith, to the
said Mr. Edwd. Johns, jun., his Executor. Dated, the 27th of July, 1846.
FOR VALPARAISO AND COQUIMBO - The fine fast-sailing, A. 1. Ship
"Chelydra," 450 tons burthen, is intended to leave Swansea about the 1st of
September next. She has a full poop, giving means of free ventilation to
the cabins, which afford superior accommodation. Two families may be
supplied with separate private cabins if required. The Steerage is roomy
and comfortable. To miners this offers a favourable opportunity of going
into the centre of the mining district of western South America. For
further particulars apply to Messrs. HENRY BATH & SONS, Mining Office,
Swansea.
DEATH OF HIS EXCELLENCY COLONEL TRELAWNY - (From the St. Helena Gazette, of
the 9th of May.) It is with feelings of no ordinary regret we have to
announce the demise of his Excellency, Colonel Trelawny, Royal Artillery, of
this colony, aged 64; which melancholy event took place at Plantation-House,
in the afternoon of Sunday, the 3rd of May, at half-past five o'clock. His
Excellency continued to enjoy his usual health up to Wednesday evening, the
29th of April, when he was suddenly attacked with paralysis of the entire
left side, accompanied with much cerebral excitement and restlessness.
Mr. VOWELL, the Colonial surgeon, and assistant-surgeon MULLINS, of the St.
Helena Regiment, were sent for, and afforded every assistance which their
professional experience could suggest. Surgeon MOORE, of the St. Helena
Regiment, was also in attendance on the following morning. Notwithstanding
all exertion on their parts, the excitement continued with little
intermission up to Saturday evening, the 2nd of May, when his Excellency
appeared easier, and enjoyed, for the first time since his attack, a good
night's rest. On the following morning (Sunday) he was much refreshed,
though exhibiting symptoms of increasing weakness, with a slight tendency to
stupor. He continued through the day to converse with his family, and
occasionally to give directions relative to his live stock, in which his
Excellency at all times took great interest. At two o'clock, an express was
sent to town for the Rev. Mr. HELPS, garrison chaplain, who, with the
colonial chaplain, had been unremitting in their attentions at
Plantation-House. At five, Mr. Vowell was suddenly summoned to his
Excellency's room, and found him expiring in peace.
On Monday, the 4th of May, Lieutenant Colonel G. B. FRASER, R.A. commanding
the troops, assumed the Civil Government of the Island. The usual oaths
having been administered to him, at two o'clock, the troops were drawn up in
front of the Castle, in James Town, where his Excellency's Proclamation was
read. The troops presented arms, and a salute was fired by the Royal
Artillery from Sodder Hill; after which his Excellency received the Civil
and Military officers of the Colony. The remains of his Excellency, the
late Governor, lay in state from two o'clock until six p.m. on this day,
while the flags at the different ports, as well as of the vessels in the
harbour, were hoisted half-mast high until after the interment, which took
place with military honours, on Tuesday, the 5th instant, in the Country
church-yard, at four o'clock, p.m. The concourse of people assembled to pay
the last tribute of respect to their Governor, comprised the respectable and
general population of the Island, by whom his Excellency will long be
remembered for his urbanity of manners, as well as for his kindness and many
acts of charity.
Colonel Trelawny, R. A., entered the service the 28th of April, 1798, as
second lieutenant. First lieutenant, the 2nd of October, 1799. Captain,
the 28th of December, 1805. Brevet Major, the 12th of August, 1819.
Lieutenant Colonel, the 27th of May, 1831. Colonel, the 23rd of November,
1841. He served in Holland in 1799, and in the Peninsular war, and South of
France, from November, 1813, to the end of the war, 1814, including the
passage of the Adour.
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