cornwall england newspaper
1849 NEWS
MAY
4 May 1849, Friday
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
THE MINERAL DISTRICT OF ST. AUSTELL - The sett and materials of
Rocks tin mine have recently been
purchased by a highly respectable and opulent company, from that great
northern focus of
manufacturing and commercial enterprise, Manchester. The mine is
situate in the parish, and about
four miles from the town of St. Austell, close to the new Bodmin and
St. Austell turnpike road; it lies
on the granitic uplands of the important metallic and mineral mountain
range of Henborough, and
adjoining to the once rich and prosperous tin mine of Beam. The sett
is an extensive one, and with
the application of modern Cornish mining skill, combined with a
judicious and liberal outlay of capital,
which its present proprietors are quite prepared to adopt, we hope, at
no long distance of time, to see
it become one of our leading county tine mines.
Its re-working is hailed with great satisfaction by the tinners and
industrial classes of the higher quarter of St. Austell, Roche, and
Luxulyan, who, in common with the miners in other parts of the county,
have suffered severely from the late
prostration of our mining and other mineral interests, combined with
the continued failure of the
potatoe crop, which, to the frugal, industrious, and exemplary
cottiers, has been an incalculable loss.
The superintendence of the concern devolves we hear, on that energetic
and successful manager, Mr.
Thomas BELL, of St. Austell, agent of the Great Polgooth tin and copper mine.
The ancient tin stream works of St. Austell, and the adjoining
parishes, are now getting nearly exhausted, after unknown
centuries of active exploration. Nature, however, all bountiful in
her resources, leaves ample supplies
of tin in store in this district, but it can only be procured by
mining instead of streaming, as anciently,
and by means of that mighty modern agent, the steam engine. With this
agency the supply of tin in
this locality is probably almost inexhaustible, and is diffused in
lodes of greater or less extent, and
richness, in both the granite and clay slate formation. It is a
generally received conjecture that the
hardy Syro-Phoenician mariners of the early Assyrian dynasties, during
the palmy reign of Judea's king
Solomon, visited Cornwall for tin. Be that as it may, it is a well
ascertained fact that our Cornish tin
trade is of extreme antiquity, and takes early precedence far beyond
that of any other of our British
metallic or mineral exports. The singularly interesting parish of St.
Austell abundantly confirms this
assertion. Hundreds of acres in many of its romantic glens and
valleys are now covered with ancient
hedge-row timber, blooming orchards, luxuriant meadows, productive
garden-ground, and flourishing
plantations. The soil of these is composed of mountain debris and
alluvium, and has evidently in by-
gone ages been again and again ransacked and disturbed by the stream
tinner's pick-axe and shovel.
The whole of the valleys and moors of this extensive parish (at least
all those whose water-courses
derive their source in the granitic highlands) have apparently once
been streamers' stents of workings;
and in the granitic uplands, where, from a high sea-level and the
paucity of alluvial soil, it would not
pay to cultivate the land, it still retains its upturned chaotic confusion.
In the noble parish church of St. Austell, which from its florid
Gothic architecture, is supposed to date from one of the latter
Henries,
ancient carved stream tinners' insignia exists, vis, the "pick, the
shovel, and the buddle-bowl," thus
showing that these primitive surface miners must have contributed to
its erection.
WANT OF CHURCH ACCOMMODATION - "To show," says the Morning Herald,
"the enormous
disproportion of seats to parishioners, we may mention the case of St.
Wendron, Cornwall, with a
population of 5,576, and one church accommodating 500 persons, but
including only 86 free seats.
Breage, in the same county, with 6,116 inhabitants, has one church
with 600 seats."
PENZANCE DISPENSARY - At the fortieth annual meeting, the Rev. C. V.
Le GRICE in the chair, the
treasurer's account showed a balance in favour of the institution of
GBP 25 0s.11d. The income during
the year was GBP 226 11s.4d., and the expenditure GBP 201 10s.5d.
Relief had been afforded during
the year to 1,446 poor persons, being 128 more than in the preceding
year, and a larger number than
were before relieved in any year since the establishment of the
institution. The officers and
committee for the ensuing year were appointed.
THE HELSTON FLORA-DAY - This festival is expected to be very well
supported on Tuesday next. The
Bodmin band are engaged for the ball, and the Helston hounds will meet
at eight o'clock on the
following morning, to have a "parting brush" with Reynard.
LU... NATURAE - There is now at Messrs. PASSMORE's, Lemon Street,
Truro, a chicken, having four
legs, the two additional being placed at its extremity; and at Newlyn
East, a calf having two perfect
heads and necks, being joined at the shoulders. There were two
full-sized calves taken from the cow,
which is the property of Mr. John STAPLE, of Summercourt, and though
they were dead, she is doing
well.
MISCHIEVOUS USE OF FIRE-ARMS - A correspondent states that a
practice prevails at Hessenford, in
the parish of St. Germans, of young men meeting at night and firing
guns in vollies. This practice has
been carried on for some time, and would be in itself foolish and
unmeaning and a waste of
gunpowder, if no other disadvantage attended it; but on Saturday
night, the 22nd ult., this child's play
had a most injurious effect on the family of the Rev. Mr. GOLDING, the
curate of the parish, two or
three members of his family being at that time dangerously ill. This
might have passed for
thoughtlessness, but after a remonstrance against the firing, although
Mr. Golding has been in every
way the village benefactor, the offence was repeated on the Monday
night following, thus bearing a
deliberate and ungratefully malicious character, which we should
hesitate to impute to any Cornish
people It is to be hoped that if the parents and friends of these
youths allow them to handle fire-
arms, they will at least prevent a foolish and mischievous use of them.
TRURO POLICE - On Friday last, Thomas George SEARLE was convicted of
assaulting James GILL, and
damaging his coat by cutting it down the back with a knife. He was
committed for two calendar
months to hard labour in the House of Correction. On Monday last,
Catherine WILLIAMS was
committed for two months, for being a disorderly character, wandering
in the streets, and behaving in
a riotous and indecent manner.
DARING THEFT - About a fortnight ago, the foundation stone of a new
church was laid at Carnmenellis,
in the parish of Wendron, where a district church is about to be
erected. The ceremony of laying the
stone was performed by the Rev. Canon ROGERS, amidst a large
assemblage of spectators, including
the clergy and gentry of the neighbourhood, and the whole passed off
with the utmost satisfaction. A
brass plate, and a great number of coins were deposited under the
large block of granite, which was
lowered into the foundation; but on the following night, some
ill-disposed persons, by the use of
crow-bars and other instruments, removed the stone, and stole the
brass plate and the money
deposited under it. A reward of GBP 5 has been offered by the Rev.
Canon Rogers but we regret to
say the scoundrels have escaped detection.
CORONERS' INQUESTS
The following inquests have been held before Mr. CARLYON, coroner: On
Thursday the 26th ult., at
Redruth, on the body of Sally RICHARDS, aged 20, who, on the day
before was found dead in a pool of
water , not far from her parent's house. It appeared she had been
subject to fits, and there was no
doubt that she had been seized with one as she was going to a
neighbour's house, and had fallen into
the pool. Verdict, "found dead."
- On the same day in the parish of Kenwyn, on the body of Elizabeth
TONKIN, aged 63. Deceased was one of Mingoose, in the parish of St.
Agnes, and on the preceding
day had come to Truro market. On her return in the afternoon, she had
a lift in a cart as far as the
three-mile stone. She then walked on towards St. Agnes; but, shortly
afterwards, a person going
down the same road saw that she had fallen down; and the first person
who came to her found that
she was dead. Mr. MOYLE, surgeon, who was called to the deceased, was
of opinion that she died
from disease of the heart; and the jury returned a verdict accordingly.
- On Saturday last, at Probus, on the body of George WILLIAMS, aged 3
years. On Saturday, the 7th ult., deceased went into a house
next door to his home, and there caught his clothes on fire; there
being no one in the house but a
little girl who was up-stairs cleaning. As soon as she heard the
child scream, she ran down and did her
best to extinguish the flames; and some neighbours immediately came to
assist; but the child was so
burnt before the fire could be extinguished that he died, in
consequence of the injuries he had
sustained, on Thursday last. Verdict, "accidental death".
- On Monday, at Treskerby, in the parish of Gwennap, on the body of
John SIMMONS, aged 60 years. Deceased was at his home
in his usual health on Saturday last, and whilst his wife was getting
some tea for him, he went out, and not
returning so soon as she expected him, she went out to look for him
and found him lying down in an
outhouse. Being afraid to be next to him, she called a neighbour who
found that he was quite dead.
The jury, in accordance with medical testimony, returned a verdict of
"Apoplexy".
- On Wednesday at Carharrack, in the parish of Gwennap, on the body of
John MARTIN, aged 51 years. From the evidence
of John BRAY, his comrade, it appeared that they were both employed,
on Tuesday last, in the thirty
fathom level of Wheal Pink mine, and bored, charged, and tamped three
holes, about two feet apart;
their design being that by the firing of one hole, the adjoining
ground should be loosened, and that
thus the remaining holes might be fired with better effect. Deceased
fired the first hole, and both
men retired to a place of safety. Immediately after this hole had
exploded, the deceased went in to
fire the other two holes; and just afterwards his comrade Bray heard a
second report. Bray was then
on his way to the shaft, to send up some borers; but, judging that
some accident had happened, he
immediately returned, and, on going into the end, he saw deceased
lying on his face, and dreadfully
shattered on a pile of stuff about nine feet from the whole, Bray
procured assistance and had him
carried out of the smoke into purer air; he died in about
half-an-hour. It appeared that when the first
hole exploded, it set fire to the fuze of the other holes, which were
left unprotected, as was the usual
practice. In reply to questions from the Coroner, who spoke much of
the danger of the practice
described, the witness Bray said that the object in going in
immediately after the explosion of the first
hole, was to set fire to the second before the smoke from the first
explosion had expanded. It was
suggested that where, as in this case, several holes were made for
blasting, the accidental explosion of
the holes intended to be fired after the first, might be prevented by
doubling down the safety fuze
and covering it with clay; and the jury, composed of practical miners,
thought that this plan would
prove the safest which could be adopted. Verdict, "accidental death."
The deceased has left a widow
and nine children.
The following inquest has been held before Mr. Hamley, coroner: On
Monday last, at Launceston, on
a little boy named Henry DALTON, 6 years old. Hodge's omnibus was
coming through the street near
the White Hart, when the little boy and several others ran after it.
The deceased caught hold of the
hinter part, when his pinafore was drawn in between the wheel and the
body of the omnibus, and
his head was crushed in a shocking manner. It appeared, from the
testimony of several witnesses,
that the horses were at a walking pace, and that the driver did not
know what had happened until he
was called to stop. He pulled up immediately, when the little boy was
taken out from under the
omnibus. Not the slightest blame was attached to the driver, and the
jury returned a verdict of
"Accidental death."
The following inquests have been held before Mr. Gilbert Hamley,
deputy coroner: - On Saturday
last, in the parish of St. Pinnock, on the body of a little child
called DONEY, who whilst her mother was
busy washing in the kitchen, fell into a pan of boiling milk which had
been placed on the floor by the
child's grandmother. She was so severely scalded that she died in a
few hours. Verdict, "accidental
death."
- On Monday in the parish of Withiel on the body of Joseph Saunders, who on the
preceding day was assisting in cutting down some large trees, the
property of Hon. Mrs. AGAR. After
sawing the tree across at the bottom, it fell in an unexpected
direction and killed the man on the spot,
another workman being also at the time severely injured. Verdict,
"accidental death."
The following inquest has been held before Mr. HICHENS, coroner: On
Saturday last, in the parish of
St. Hilary, on the body of Thomas POWNING ROW, aged about 27 years.
The deceased was a miner,
and worked in West Wheal Treasury mine, in the parishes of Gwinear and
Crowan, and on the 26th ult.,
he and Josiah COURTIS were at the seventy fathoms level, which is the
bottom of the engine shaft,
where having previously charged two holes for blasting, they put them
off, but in the explosion of the
latter their candles were extinguished and they were left in darkness.
In consequence of this, they
both proceeded up to the sixty fathoms level to get light, and from
thence to the fifty, and on to the
forty, not having been able to get a light at either level; but as the
deceased, who was before the
other man, went to take the ladder away to ascend from the forty
fathoms level, by some accident
which Courtis was unable to see or account for, being in the dark, the
deceased fell away. Courtis
heard a noise as of a gentle blow, which was the only intimation he
had of the accident, upon which he
called the deceased by name several times, and getting no answer, he
concluded he had fallen, and
proceeded to the surface to give information, on which several men
went down and found the
deceased at the seventy fathoms level, dead, his head having in the
fall been fractured in many
places, and parts of the head were scattered about the shaft.
Verdict, "accidental death."
The following inquest has been held before Mr. W. J. GENN, coroner for
Falmouth: On Monday
afternoon last, at the King's Arms, on the body of a Dutch seaman,
belonging to the Dutch steam
frigate "Brumo," lying in Falmouth harbour. He was on the fore yard
when the studding sail boom
struck his leg; he fell on deck, broke in his skull, and died almost
immediately. Verdict, "accidental
death."
11 May 1849
HELSTON FLORA DAY - This ancient festival was celebrated on Tuesday last, the 8th of May. The
morning dawned with an unclouded sky, and resplendent with all the beauties fo the merry month of
May. As soon as day had glimmered in the east the inhabitants were aroused from their slumbers by
the sound of the old flora tune, and a party of dancers who had been into the country -
"For to fetch the summer home,
The summer and the May O."
soon followed the well-known fraternity of Hal-lan-tow in all their wonted spirit, singing the flora song
to the sound of the drum, with that exquisite precision and taste known only to the devoted followers
of "Robin Hood and Little John." Waggon after waggon load of boughs were now brought from "the
merry green woods" to decorate the houses, and everything indicated the determination of the
inhabitants to welcome and honor the return of this good old jubilee with spirit and devotion.
Conveyances of all descriptions arrived from the neighbouring towns until noon, when the streets
were thronged with spectators, and the scene became animated beyond description. At one o'clock
the gentry assembled for the dance, the ladies dressed in the height of fashion, with their bonnets
decked with the choicest flowers - the party was soon formed and led by Frederick HILL, Esq., and
Mrs. Montague Herbert JENNER, followed by a splendid train of the beautiful and fair. A party of
Lancers was in attendance to clear the way, and door after door flew open as if by magic spell to let
the dancers pass through; the effect in some of the gardens was truly beautiful and enchanting, and
thus the town was traversed and the first "fade" concluded with a country dance in the ball-room.
Party soon followed party, and the street dancing was kept up until the shades of evening summoned
them to their respective ball-rooms. The Ball at the Angel Inn commenced at half-past eight, and was
opened by Frederick HILL, Esq., and Mrs. LEY, of Bosahan; the attendance exceeded that of very many
years, and the assemblage was a very brilliant one. Dancing was kept up with great spirit until the rays
of the morning sun gave warning that another day was come. The highest praise is due to the
stewards for the excellent arrangements made by them, and the gaiety of the Flora-day of 1849 will
long be remembered with feelings of delight and pleasure by most of the parties present. The
Bodmin band gave entire satisfaction.
GERRANS CHURCH - This church being in a dilapidated condition, it was determined to rebuild the two
aisles and the chancel, the estimated cost of which is about GBP 1,000. Towards this sum the parish
has voted a rate of GBP 350, and the remaining GBP 650 has been collected from public and private
sources. The foundation stone of the new building was laid on Thursday the 26th ult., by Mr. ENYS, of
Enys.
CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY - On Tuesday, the 24th ult., the annual meeting in connexion with this
society was held at the village of Sancreed, near Penzance. The meeting commenced at seven o'clock
in the evening, when not withstanding the unfavourable weather, the large school room was crowded
by the inhabitants of Sancreed and the neighbouring villages. The Rev. C. V. LeGRICE presided; the
meeting was addressed by the Rev. Mr. PUNNETT and the Rev. Mr. TOWNSEND (the deputation from
the parent society), and the interest with which the audience listened to them was truly gratifying. To
the regret of all present, the vicar of Sancreed, the Rev. H. COMYN, the zealous promoter of the
society, was too ill to attend. The collection amounted to GBP 10.
CURY WESLEYAN ASSOCIATION SUNDAY SCHOOL - On Tuesday last, the Sunday scholars belonging to
this school, accompanied by the Cury band, were taken to Kynance, where about one hundred of
children and others were entertained with a repast, provided by the Misses RANDLE, of Colvenor,
Cury. Having spent some time at that place they proceeded to the Lizard lighthouses, and from
thence to Cadgwith, the band occasionally playing, and after regaling themselves on excellent cake
they were taken by several boats on the water, where the musicians played and sung some of their
favourite airs. The party returned highly delighted with their holiday excursion.
TAKING THE VEIL - On the afternoon of Sunday last, the ceremony of the reception of a postulant into
the order of the nuns of the Immaculate Conception, was publicly celebrated in the Roman Catholic
chapel, at Penzance. The fair postulant was Mlle. Marie VANTRIN, a French lady belonging to a
respectable family, and it is understood of considerable fortune, who has been resident in England for
several years. A great crowd was of course drawn together on the occasion, and a collection, which
amounted to GBP 5 (in addition to a subscription of GBP 1 1s. from the Ladies of the convent) was
made in behalf of the Penzance Dispensary.
BOSCASTLE - This neighbourhood, which has been resorted to by persons desirous of improving their
health with a few months residence on the northern coast, and by others who have a taste for the
beautiful and romantic character of the scenery which it presents, has been considerably improved
during the past winter. We are almost wholly indebted to Mr. FUGGARD, for the different works
carried on at his own private cost, and for which he will never receive any pecuniary advantage. The
different walks, cliff-cuttings, excavations, &c. were executed, and the seats, chairs, &c. erected
under the immediate direction of Mr. Fuggard. The seats are placed so as to command the most
picturesque views, and the paths lead to many pleasant spots which were before inaccessible. The
result altogether is most pleasing, and renders the beauties which nature has scattered with such a
lavish and bountiful hand, still more attractive.
THE CUSTOMS - The port of Scilly has been reduced, by order of the Lords of the Treasury, from the
sixth to the supernumerary class. Mr. R. T. DOLAN, at present comptroller at Scilly, has been
appointed to that office at Newhaven, and Mr. WOOD, principal coast officer at Sutton Wash,
Wisbeach, has been promoted to the comptrollership at Scilly.
EXPRESSION OF THANKS - Captain BEALE, and the crew of the "Joan and Mary" sloop, of Fowey,
desire, through the medium of the West Briton, to express their grateful thanks to the inhabitants of
Ilfracombe, for the sympathy which they kindly manifested on their behalf, on the occasion of the loss
of that vessel on her voyage to Wales, on the 28th of March last. On reaching Ilfracombe in an open
boat, every attention was paid to their wants.
CAMBORNE PETTY SESSIONS - These sessions were held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday last, when
William WORLEY was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, in default of finding bail to keep the
peace, for using violence to, and threatening to murder his wife.
MINE ACCIDENT - Captain John DUNKIN, of South Roskear, lately received severe injuries, through a
ladder giving way, and causing him to fall six or seven fathoms.
ACCIDENT - On Thursday the 3rd instant, as the servant of Mr. BORLASE, of Castle Horneck, near
Penzance, was driving his master's gig in that town, the horse started off, and went at a tremendous
speed through Alverton Street, where fortunately there were no other vehicles at the time; but at the
entrance to the residence of Mr. T. S. BOLITHO, the gig came in contact with another gig belonging to
Captain CARTHEW, of St. Just, the shaft of which was broken by the concussion, and other damage
was done. Mr. Borlase's horse, however, continued his course, and eventually begun to kick and
knocked the gig in pieces; but neither the driver nor the horse received any injury.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE - Early on Monday morning, a man was discovered lying in a field near St. Austell
with his throat cut. He was taken up and removed to the Union House where medical aid was soon in
attendance, and his wounds having been dressed, he is now going on very favourably. He gave his
name as John TAYLOR; he is a native of Scotland, and has lately lived at Ilfracombe, being by trade a
printer. We believe that want was the inciting cause of the rash act.
SUSPECTED CHILD MURDER - On Saturday morning, the 28th ult., the body of a new-born child was
found buried in a field at Redgate, in the parish of St. Cleer. It appears that a lad who was passing by,
saw two women with a basket go into the field and throw the contents of the basket into a pit, and
cover the same over with earth. He immediately gave information to some of the inhabitants of
Redgate, who proceeded with him to the spot, where they found the body of the child. Mr.
HINGSTON, surgeon, of Liskeard, made a post mortem examination of the body, and stated in
evidence on the inquest held by Mr. Hamley, coroner, that he found the skull much fractured, which
appeared to have been done by a blow or a hard squeeze of the hand. He had no doubt but that the
child had been born alive and that the fracture was the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict of
"willful murder against some person or persons unknown." Suspicion has since fallen on a woman of
the neighbourhood, and no doubt a strict investigation will be made.
CORONER's INQUEST - The following inquest has been held before Mr. CARLYON, coroner: On
Monday last, at Skinner's Bottom, in the parish of St. Agnes, on the body of Samuel RODDA, aged nine
years. On Saturday afternoon last, deceased was desired to take one of his father's cows, which had
been in the house in the morning, to water, and then to turn her out to grass. The cow had a halter on
her head, and the boy, most imprudently (though he had been warned of the danger by his father
only the day before), tied the end of it round his waist. The consequence was that after the cow had
proceeded a short distance, she began to trot, and pulled the boy down. She dragged him along after
her on the road, which was very rough, for a considerable distance. The rope then slipped from his
waist, and he as left in the middle of the road quite insensible from the injuries he had received. He
was immediately carried home and Mr. PRICE, surgeon, was sent for from Redruth, and attended him,
but he had received a concussion of the brain, and died in a few hours. Verdict, "accidental death".
18 May 1849, Friday
CORNWALL COUNTY COURTS
BODMIN
On the 2nd instant, the proceedings of this court excited an unusual degree of interest, and a great
number of persons were in attendance. The following, among other cases, were disposed of:
MUDGE v CANN - Plaintiff claimed the sum of GBP 7 5s. as the balance of an account for bullocks sold to defendant, who is a farmer and butcher, residing at St. Minver. Defendant acknowledged the debt and promised to pay it by instalments. Payment ordered in a fortnight.
BELLING v BLEWETT - Plaintiff is a surgeon who had practised for many years in Lostwithiel and had been the medical attendant on the poor of that district of the Bodmin Union for nine years, which office he relinquished in favour of defendant for the sum of GBP 20, to be paid in four quarterly instalments of GBP 5. A bond having been drawn up accordingly, the first and second instalments were paid, and plaintiff now sued for the remaining GBP 10. Mr. G. B. COLLINS, of St. Columb, attorney for defendant, objected to the reception of the bond, which was put in, it being upon a wrong stamp, and contended that plaintiff had not acted up to his part of the agreement, inasmuch as he had returned to
Lostwithiel, recommenced practice, and had made an application to be reinstated as medical officer of that district of the union. Defendant admitted that he had made an application of the sort by letter, which he had sent to the Clerk of the Bodmin Union, but which he had returned to him at his request previous to the next sitting of the Board of Guardians; that he had intimated to some of the guardians his intention of application if he did not receive the GBP 10; but he had not canvassed them, and the application had not been formally made. Judgment for plaintiff for GBP 10, to be paid on that day week.
[as written]
CRABB v KEMPTHORNE (A jury case) - Mr. BISHOP, of Fowey, appeared for plaintiff; Mr. COMMINS and Mr. CHILDS, of Liskeard, for defendant.
- Mr. BISHOP opened the case, stating that plaintiff was in the habit of letting horses and carriages on hire, and it would appear from evidence which he should bring before the jury, that defendant, Captain KEMPTHORNE, had hired a horse and phaeton, the propery of plaintiff, to go to Tredethy, a short distance from Bodmin, for the sum of 6s. A duty ticket was filled up accordingly; but instead of going to that place and returning, he went to Colquite, and thence to Tredethy, returning to Colquite, and thence to Bodmin, in which journey, through the negligence of the driver, and [not] from accident, the horse was killed, and the phaeton rendered entirely useless. Plaintiff brought this action to recover the worth of his mare, which he valued at GBP 15; and the further sum of GBP 5 2s., for the loss of the use of the phaeton for seventeen days at 6s per day.
- Mr. CRABB then deposed, that on the 2nd of April he let his horse and four wheeled phaeton to Captain Kempthorne, to go to Tredethy and back, being a distance of eight miles, for 6s., and he filled up a duty ticket, which was produced in court. He had let horses to him on other occasions. He took the mare and phaeton to him at his house about half-past ten that morning. Defendant made an observation to him, that it was not the same horse that he had had before; and he replied, "no Sir, this is my black mare." He had had this mare since the fall of last year; she was then in thin condition; she had been of late much called for, and preferred to his other horses; gave GBP 5 for her, but if asked to sell her on the day of the accident, does not know that he would have taken before; had seen the phaeton since, and it was knocked all to flitters. Defendant had rode her once before to Liskeard, and another time to Captain ONSLOW's; there was a curb-chain attached to the bridle, and a drag to the phaeton; the harness was almost new; was used the day before by Mr. COLE, saddler, and was the harness usually worn by the mare.
CROSS-EXAMINED by Mr. CHILDS - He purchased the mare of a colt-breaker named GRIFFINS, who sold her for Mr. ROBINS, of Withiel. Griffins told him she was good for harness or saddle, and he purchased her without further warranty; knew her when the Rev. V. VYVYAN had her; had been informed that Mr. Vyvyan had one grey horse, and wanted another to match; Mr. Robins having a grey which would suit, they made a
'chop',and the black mare became the property of Mr. Robins. Griffins is not a horse jockey; never knew him to sell a horse before. He never inquired of any other person than Griffins respecting the mare; she was not then in high condition; does not know why she was kept low; she was then about fourteen or fifteen years old, - not groggy, not blind, but a sound mare, and free from vice, and he bought her for GBP 5. Mr. Robins had said he should not have sold her but his winter's keep was scarce. The colt-breaker further told him that if he could keep her on until Spring he might make GBP 15 of her; he believed her to be perfectly sound in every respect; she had not done much hard work. He let his mare and phaeton to Capt. Kempthorne on the second of April; he [Kempthorne] said nothing that morning respecting any dislike to the horse; defendant never said to him, if the horse is not safe you will not get paid; is sure there was a curb on the bridle; curb tight enough to stop the most powerful horse. It was a straight bit with three bars - a proper bit for the harness; he usually worked her at the second bar; she was a little hard in the mouth if she had the whip. He fed her well; gave her from four to five gallons of corn per day; she was got to look pretty well; Mr. Vyvyan's man had told him that they had worked her in the curb-chain and up to the second bar, and he continued to work her at the same. The harness was almost new; the traces were not his, he had borrowed them of Mr. MILROY; the mare had worked in them the day before. There was about a foot of chain attached to the harness, which had been all through her work; said nothing to defendant on the morning of the accident as to the manner in which she should be harnessed. He lent the same mare about four months ago to his brother Charles, to go with a gig to St. Blazey; there was no curb-chain to the bridle when his brother started; she had had no work for some days before. He was not present, but was informed that she came down the street at a
smart pace; he came afterward and put on the curb-chain, and put the rein to the second bar of the bit; he saw the harness the day after the accident, and observed that the
curb-chain was there then;he brought away the traces and haimes which were Mr. Milroy's.
RE-EXAMINED: He put the reins to the second bar,as she had been worked before; the mare was not groggy, but had been informed that defendant was groggy; when the carriage left his possession in the morning it was worth GBP 10; has lost the use of it ever since; might have let it many times; the carriage is now in the keeping of the surveyor of roads.
- EDWARD READ, an excise officer, received the duty ticket from the gatekeeper; rode in a gig drawn by the same mare about two months since, driven by Mr, ELVINS to Fowey; she went very steady and was not flighty; thought a child might have driven her.
- WILLIAM BEST, lives in Cardinham; was servant in the employ of Rev. Mr. GRYLLS, for sixteen years; knows the mare in question; she was two years old when Mr. Grylls first had her; had the character of a good back; had worked her in a carriage, cart, and car, in single and double harness;'
had her about ten years; never knew her to attempt to run away; was free in harness, but there was no vice about her. At his master's death, Mrs. Grylls sold the carriage and horses; she [the mare] was sold to Mr. HARRIS, a butcher, for less than her value, because Mrs. Grylls wished her to get into good hands. Mr. Harris sold her to Mr. GATTY, a letter-out of horses, and in consequence lost the custom of the family; she was sold for GBP 12, which was nothing near her value. Never saw her kick; had driven her through Bodmin market, and let her stand in the street many times, but she never attempted to run away.
CROSS-EXAMINED: She was a carriage bred mare; perhaps there was a little blood about her. Mrs. Grylls sold her four years ago; she was then
twelve years old; she was gay in harness, that is, she did not want the whip; ... her in the usual way, just as he would another horse; she was kept
in high condition when Mr. Grylls had her; could not swear where the reins .. to be put when in his care.
- JOHN INCH, servant with Rev. Mr. VYVYAN, at Withiel, knew the mare; they had her about three years; had worked her in single and double harness;
had driven her in a dog cart; she was rather hotheaded; could easily manage her by curbing her up pretty tight; she was not vicious, and never ran
away from him; his master sold her, and purchased a grey to match one which his master had already in his possession.
CROSS-EXAMINED: This mare was poor when his master sold her; she was getting old; never had her "bishoped;" never worked her with chain traces;
she was very spirited; worked her in a port bit with three bars; drove her at the bottom bar; there was no vice about her; his master gave GBP16 and
this mare for the grey, which Mr. Robins asked GBP20 for.
BY the JUDGE - Had worked the mare hard, and not on high feeding, about three pottles of corn a day.
- THOMAS AVERY, clerk in the Archdeaconry Office, has driven the mare over steep hills and very rugged roads; was always very quiet; never
attempted to run away; has driven her with ladies, and would again.
- S.H. LIFFELL drove her in the month of March to Redruth and back; she went very well, and appeared without vice; had a little boy with him; she
was recommended to him by Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY.
- JOHN WILLIAMS, mine agent, has driven the mare several times in a gig and phaeton; has taken off and put on the harness to her himself; has
driven her over the hill on which this accident happened; she was very steady, and required no whipping; he complained once that she was rather
free, but on that occasion the harness had been put on wrong, and that was the only time he had occasion to alter it.
CROSS-EXAMINED: He drove her once up to the snaffle; found her then a little hard in the mouth; drove her in that way as far as the Britannia Inn
on the Truro Road, but changed her to the second bar on returning; has never driven her at the snaffle since.
- GEORGE ELVINS, relieving officer, has driven the black mare three or four times; has driven her to Fowey at the snaffle, and over the hill
going into the town; there is no such a hill in this neighbourhood; she was remarkably steady, and if she had been his, should not have liked to
part with her for from GBP 12 to GBP 15.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Did not drive her at the snaffle as an experiment; did not know her full age.
- JOHN READ MARKS, a boy twelve years old, had rode the mare three or four months since, to St. Kew behind a gentleman, and back by himself; he
walked, trotted, and gallopped her, and she did not attempt to run away with him.
- WILLIAM COLE, saddler, drove her to Five Lanes and back to Bodmin the day before the accident occurred. He took his wife, child, and nephew with
him; she was very gentle, and his wife drove her the distance of two or three miles whilst he held an umbrella over the children; he liked her very
much, and should have had no objection to use her again.
- C. CRABB, brother to plaintiff, had occasion to drive the mare once to St. Blazey; he left his house without putting a curb on the bridle; the
mare started off at a very smart pace, and having a new pair of gloves on his hand the reins slipped through his fingers, and he lost all control
over her; he called on some one in the street to stop her, which was done, and his brother brought a curb and put it on her, after which she went
remarkably well.
- BENJAMIN LEVERS, toll-gate keeper at Mount Charles, remembers Monday evening, April 2nd, the time of the accident. He was at the gate, heard a
carriage coming very fast, and went out; it was good moonlight, saw a gig coming with three ladies and a man in it, whom he afterwards knew was
Captain Kempthorne. He at first held the gate in his hand, but when he saw the horse did not alter his course, he threw open the gate, and the vehicle
came in contact with a post of the gate and broke it off. This brought the horse to for a few moments, but he had no opportunity of laying hold
or of stopping her; never saw the reins at all; defendant was in a very dead, stupid state, with his head in his bosom; he sat where the driver
usually sits. There was no exclamation from the driver when they came into contact with the post; defendant was breathing hard; did not attempt to
check the horse; did not go after the carriage; would not have let a horse to a man like that if he had one; woul dnot swear whether he was drunk
or not.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Never kept a number of the times he had told this little matter over; first saw the gig about 150 yards from the gate, the horse
galloping as fast as he could go, the man in the gig did not move.
- MR. CHILDS: Don't be fencing with me.
- WITNESS: (who has an impediment on his speech) "Oh, offended Sir, I won't be offended with you Sir."
- Witness further said he heard the ladies screaming; has heard many men breathing hard like the defendant when they have been drunk; did not go
after them, as he could not leave his gate.
- Re-EXAMINED: The driver made no effort whatever to stop the horse at the gate.
- WILLIAM FURMAGE, gamekeeper to Sir William MOLESWORTH, was returning from Charlestown on the night in question in a cart, accompanied by his wife
and brother-in-law. When going up Dunmeer hill, he saw a vehicle coming at a furious pace, and pulled in his cart to the hedge. The horse was
going from one side of the road to the other; the driver appeared sitting back in his [...] not trying to stop himself, or keep the carriage back.
The horse fell about thirty yards from him; made a plunge, and fell a second time; he went to assist, and saw the horse move his leg
as if in the struggle of death; saw defendant get up and endeavour to assist the ladies; he appeared in a confused state, and unable
to do so; was like a person intoxicated, and rambled very much; would not swear whether he was intoxicated or not; he assisted
putting the ladies into some neighbouring cottages; they appeared very much injured.
CROSS-EXAMINED: It was not in the power of any human being to drive at such a rate around that corner of the road without an accident.
Afterwards looked more closely at the defendant, and saw blood running over his face; he also had doubts at first whether the ladies
were living or dead; defendant was attentive to the ladies; saw him feel a pulse on one of them.
- Three or four witnesses were then examined as to the appearance of defendant at the cottages where the ladies were placed. They all
said he was attentive to the ladies, that he appeared to have a deep cut over the eye, and rambled like a man intoxicated; they
considered he was; when desired to sit on a chair or stool, he sat himself down on the floor.
- J.P,.T. HELE, surgeon, practising at Ashburten, was at the time of this accident an assistant with Mr WARD of Bodmin. Attended at
Dunmeer on the night in question in company with Mr. Ward; when he first saw defendant, he directed his attention to the ladies; about
ten minutes after this his attention was drawn to the defendant, who, by his gait and conversation, appeared like a man who had taken
too much drink. His manner was careless, his conversations unconnected, and his manner altogether very different from what a person
might be supposed to conduct himself after such a frightful accident. He appeared to have been drinking too much. If the blow had been
severe, it would certainly have produced a stupor, and he would have been more quiet and easy; if he had had a severe concussion, he would
not have been able to rise up and walk about. He assisted in putting Captain Kempthorne into Mr. Ward's gig. Mr. Ward drove him towards
Bodmin; some one near the gig remarked, "I hope Mr. Ward will take care of the captain, as he requires as much care as the ladies do."
He remembered saying at the time he thought the Captain had taken just enough to make him a gentleman; certainly would not have trusted
a gig of his own to Captain Kempthorne at the time.
- JOHN WARD, surgeon, attended the parties after the accident occurred at Dunmeer; has been for many years medical attendant on the Kempthorne
family; when he first saw Captain Kempthorne, after the accident, he appeared to have received a severe contused blow of the eye - certainly
not a dangerous wound; asked him if he was much injured? He said "no, not much hurt, don't mind me go to the ladies", which he did. During
the time he was at Dunmeer, his impression was that captain Kempthorne had taken a few glasses more than prudence should have dictated. He
could not call him drunk, but he was not steady in his gait, or general demeanour. He did not talk much; he heard him swear, and reproved him
for it. A severe blow in the head might produce such symptoms; at the same time did not believe that Captain Kempthorne had received any
concussion on the brain. It was nearly an hour after the accident occurred before he saw him; desired him to go home with a man (who had
formerly been a servant in the family for many years) after he left witness's gig.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Has seen more frightful accidents than that; Capt Kempthorne told him he had received a severe blow over the eye, and that
his leg was injured; would not swear he was drunk; would not swear he was under the influence of drink; blows in the head would cause different
symptoms in the patient according to their intensity.
RE-EXAMINED: He would much rather drive him in a gig at the time than that he should have driven witness. The ladies had not any of the same
appearance as Captain Kempthorne; he had stated to all the parties that there was no danger.
BY THE JUDGE - He told witness in the road to Bodmin he had dined at Colquite; that they drank two bottles of champagne with their dinner,
and one bottle of port after, between six; he was afraid that Miss Childs, who rode in front with him, had pulled the reins and drawn the horse
into the hedge.
-Mr. CHILDS then addressed the jury at some length for the defence, and called the following witnesses:
- Capt. KEMPTHORNE, defendant in this action, said he hired a horse and carriage of the plaintiff on the 2nd of April last, to go to Tredethy;
his two sisters and Miss Childs accompanied him. On leaving his house in the morning, the horse made a trip on going down the hill; he said to
Crabb, "I don't like this horse;" he [Crabb] said it was perfectly safe; witness replied "very well, if he is not safe, I won't pay you." He went
on to Colquite, leaving Miss Childs there; he then proceeded to Tredethy, and afterwards returned to Colquite; he observed that part of the harness
was chain. He partook of luncheon at Colquite, then went out to shoot with Mr. HOBLYN; he afterwards returned and dined with Mr. Hoblyn, his
niece, and the ladies who accompanied him; they were six in all; he drank a glass of beer with his luncheon; they drank two bottles of champagne
with their dinner, of which the ladies partook, and one bottle of port after dinner, of which the ladies drank a glass each. He afterwards took
one glass of madeira; after this he joined the ladies in the drawing-room; drank some coffee and tea; there was some singing, in which he joined.
He gave instructions to Mr. Hoblyn's servant int he kitchen to put the horse to the carriage, and bring her round to the door. He left Colquite
and proceeded on to Rainbow, before he found the horse restive. The horse then ran off; he had no power over it; remembered knocking the post at
the toll gate; he had then the reins in his hand; the horse did not stop at the gate, but went on at a galloping pace down the hill beyond the
gate, until they met with the accident. One of the ladies said, "let us jump out." He replied "for God's sake sit where you are." The hill is very
precipitous indeed; there is a quarry on the left side of the hill close to the edge of the road. After the accident he attempted to raise his
sister, but failed to do so; suffered a severe contusion over the eye, laying open the bone, and received other injuries. The ladies were
conducted to two cottages near the place where the accident occurred, and he visited them several times whilst he remained at Dunmeer. He felt a
kind of giddiness about his head; he afterwards rode part of the way from Dunmeer to Bodmin with Mr. Ward in his gig, and walked the remainder
of the distance from the Asylum with Harris.
CROSS-EXAMINED by MR. BISHOP: Had said to plaintiff he did not like the tripping of the horse. Drank no ale with his dinner; took two or three
glasses of wine; might have been less or more, with his dinner; after dinner drank port wine, and only one glass of madeira; did not thik the
mare a runaway, going out in the morning; she was very gentle. Colquite diverges from the road to Tredethy; there is not 200 yards difference
in the distance; left the gate open int he morning leading from Colquite house towards the lodge. As to the appearance of the harness, the mare
appeared the same as when he left in the morning; could not tell what made her take off. Miss Childs never took the reins at all; she might have
touched them, as the horse swerved towards the hedge. He thought her hand was placed near the reins at the time; remembers everything that took
place before, and many things after the accident; did not attempt to put on the drag... but not in that part of the town where the horse started off;
understood the horse and gig to be let for the day; he did put on the drag down Dunmeer hill, in the morning.
RE-EXAMINED: Tedethy is beyond Colquite; plaintiff never said anything to him before about the mare being a runaway; he stood up in the carriage
during the greater part of the time, and used every effort to pull the mare in; had intended to have put on the drag when he came to the steep part
of the hill.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Has seen LEVERS since the accident; he said then as he stated here today; the mare did not trip during the day until the time
of the accident; what Levers stated respecting his being in a stupid state was perfectly false.
- MRS. WATTS, sister to Capt. Kempthore, and MISS CHILDS corroborated the evidence of the defendant, and distinctly stated that he was perfectly
sober before the accident occurred.
- MR. D. P. HOBLYN, resides at Colquite; remembers Capt. Kempthorne and the ladies coming to his house on the 2nd of April; defendaqnt partook
of luncheon, and one glass of beer with it; afterwards took deinner with which two bottles of champagne were drunk betwixt the party, and one bottle
of port after; the ladies took one glass each; Capt. Kempthorne was particularly sober at the time.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Capt. Kempthorne did not take more than one glass of beer; he did not take any; they dined at the usual hour of six. Capt.
Kempthorne did not take a glass of the second bottle of port; he did not take another glass of madeira at starting; they spent a comfortable
afternoon.
RE-EXAMINED: Was quite sure that not more than one bottle of port wine was drunk among the party.
- Some servants at Colquite, and one of the defendant's, also gave evidence of his being perfectly sober when he left Colquite, and when he
arrived home at Bodmin.
- JOHN HARRIS and his wife, who occupy one of the cottages at Dunmeer, into which the ladies were conducted, gave evidence as to the manner in which
defendant attended on the ladies; tied his head with a handkerchief; he could not tell what made the horse run away, but tried to pull her up with all
his might; showed him his trowsers where they were torn; and said to him, "if it had not been for his hat, he should have had a most tremendous
blow; he was not in the least like a man drunk."
CROSS-EXAMINED: Mr. Ward put Captain Kempthorne into his care; told him to take Captain Kempthorne home the back way, as he thought he had a drop
too much; did not say afterward to Mr. Ward, "we got home tolerably well, but master was a little top heavy."
RE-EXAMINED: Captain Kempthorne walked through the street without assistance.
- Mr. ROBINSON, surgeon, was called in to attend on defendant's family, three days after the accident occurred; found a lacerated wound over his eye
on the scalp, and an extensive lacerated wound on the knee; he took three gravels from the would over the eye; such a wound in the head would most
assuredly cause a staggering, and a confusion of ideas, by the concussion from such a fall.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Could most assuredly form as correct an opinion of the injuries sustained three days after the accident, as if he had been there
on the spot at the time.
- WILLIAM BELLING, a surgeon practising at Lostwithiel for the last thirty years, has met with a great number of cases of mine accidents; has
invariably found that where blows in the head have taken place rambling and confusion of ideas have followed.
- MR. TYERMAN, medical superintendent of the Cornwall Lunatic Asylum, saw Captain Kempthorne on the night in question after the accident; he was
in a state of great anxiety from the injuries he had received; he saw a violent cut over the eye, did not attend him as his surgeon; such a blow
as he had received might have caused stupor and confusion of ideas in a degree according to the severity of injuries received.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Could not decide whether the dinner or the ball caused the excitement which appeared in the defendant.
MR. BISHOP then addressed the jury for the plaintiff.
HIS HONOR summed up the evidence, and the jury, after retiring a few minutes, returned to the court with a Verdict for PLAINTIFF, damages GBP 15 2s.
On naming the verdict some applause was manifested in the body of the court, but it was immediately suppressed.
ST. AUSTELL
At this court, on Thursday, the 3rd instant, the following case contained some points of public interest: WILLIAM RICHARDS, of St. Stephens by St. Austell,
merchant, v. JOHN L. LISCOMBE, of Sheepator, near Tavistock, farmer. The action was brought to recover the sum of GBP 13 2s. for goods supplied by plaintiff
to Wheal Louisa Mine, in St. Stephens, in which mine defendant was alleged to be a shareholder. Evidence was given of the supplies to the mine, and Mr.
RICHARD DOWN, of Torpoint, the purser, was called on behalf of plaintiff, to prove defendant a shareholder. Mr. R. EDWARDS, of Plymouth, for defendant,
objected to the reception ofthe cost book as evidence in consequence of its not being stamped. Mr. BISHOP, for plaintiff, argued that it was unnecessary,
and cited several cases to that effect. The Judge overruled the objection, and received the cost book in evidence. Mr. Edmonds then contended that the
managers of the mine had no implied authority to contract debts for the working of tbe mine [and cited several other cases]. The Judge, having overruled
this objection, it was contended that defendant had ceased to be a shareholder at the time the goods were supplied. Proof, however, having been given
to the contrary, judgment was given for plaintiff for the amount claimed.
TRURO
At this court, on Friday last, there were forty-three new cases entered, and three adjourned cases. The proceedings lasted till between six
and seven in the evening, but there were few cases of interest or importance. In the case of BLAKE v ROBERTS, heard at the last sitting His HONOR now
gave judgment for plaintiff, for GBP 5 7s.6d. and expressed himself strongly against the practice, such as the defendant, a bailiff of the court, had
adopted, of getting hold of the "Plaintiff's note" in an action in this court, and retaining it as a lien until certain charges made by the party holding
it, were paid by the plaintiff.
- COURTIS v PLUMMER was an action to recover the value of two fancy fowls, belonging to plaintiff, which the defendant, a farmer living in Kenwyn
church-town, had shot. The defence was that the fowls were trespassing on the roof of defendant's barn, and injuring the roof by picking in the thatch.
The plaintiff replied that the defendant had no right to take the law in his own hands, and his proper course would have been to impound the fowls. His
Honor gave judgment against the defendant for 7s.
- PETER v RICKARD In this case, the Rev. John PETER, of Grade, was the plaintiff, and John RICKARD, his tenant, the defendant. MR. ROBERTS appeared for
the plaintiff; Mr, EDWARDS for defendant. The action was brought to recover the sum of GBP 9 14s.7d., balance due on account for a year's rent of house and
land in Ruan Lanyhorne, occupied by the defendant from the 29th of September, 1846, to the 29th of September, 1847, at a rental of GBP 67 18s. Mr. PETER had
been in the habit of employing defenant to do work for him, and at his court day on the 9th of March 1848, the defendant was allwed on that account
GBP 27 15s.5d., and also GBP 1 17s.6d for property tax, although he had paid only half that sum. Defendant then paid GBP26 1s.3d., leaving a balance of
GBP 12 3s.10d., out of which Mr. Peter had since allowed him GBP2 9s.3d. for three pigs, and for labour done by his family; leaving .. from defendant
the balance now claimed. In cross-examination, Mr. Peter stated that on the 8th of March, 1849, he levied a distress on defendant for rent, but not for the
premises in respect of which the present action was brought. The defendant quitted these premises at Michaelmas, 1847, and then had a fresh take of
another tenement at a less rental; and it was in respect of this last tenement that the distraint had been levied. It appeared that some small part of
the tenement was occupied under the last tenancy; and on this ground, Mr. EDWARDS argued that the plaintiff, when he distrained, ought to have done so in
respect of the balance which he now claimed.
- Mr. ROBERTs, however, showed from the evidence that the defendant entirely quitted the old tenancy, and then took a different estate and on a different
contract; and that the distraint on this last estate could not be made to apply to the former tenancy. His Honor gave judgment for plaintiff for GBP 9 14s.7d.,
and ordered payment on the 7th instant. Mr. Peter explained that he should not have distrained on his tenant if he had not been informed that he was
driving away his stock and removing his cattle clandestinely.
- COLLINS v TUCKER This was an action brought by Mr. COLLINS, of Truthan, to recover the sum of GBP 20 for dilapidations on the farm of Calendra, in
Veryan, which the defendant had occupied as yearly tenant, and which he left at Michaelmas, 1847. Mr. HOCKIN appeared for plaintiff; Mr. BENALLACK for
defendant. The estimated amount of the dilapidations was GBP 27 19s.9d.; but the claim was reduced to bring it within the jurisdiction of this court.
- SAMUEL DUSTOW, the tenant who succeeded the defendant in the occupancy of the farm at Michaelmas, 1847, stated that the fences and gates were then very
much out of repair; and that, with the exception of a few necessary repairs to keep cattle from breaking through, the farm was in the same state on the 15th of
November following, when the dilapidations were valued by Mr. GERRANS of Grampound.
- MR. GERRANS stated the amount of dilapidations as given above, and added that he estimated them according to such repairs as a tenant from year to year,
without lease, was bound to do. It appeared, however, on the examination of the defendant, that he was accepted by Mr. Collins as tenant in June 18846, on
the death of his father who had occupied the farm from 1822; and Mr. Gerrans could not undertake to say what portion of the dilapidations had accrued during the time
of the defendant's tenancy; but he thought not one-half the amount; they were mostly old dilapidations. On this evidence, the Judge said he could not
give judgment for the GBP 20 claimed, nor did he know how to apportion the dilapidations. the plaintiff was therefore nonsuited.
FALMOUTH
The case of MR. JAMES SELDON v. The Waywardens of the town of Falmouth was re-heard on Monday. The dispute was as to liability. It appeared that the
waywardens some time since contracted with two men at so much per foot, for laying some new granite guttering. In executing the work, they injured some
of the branch pipes of the gas works, and without consulting the waywardens, hired Seldon to repair the same. Seldon charged the waywardens with the
expense; they contended the contractors were liable, as the work was done without their consent or knowledge, and moreover, that upon inquiry they found that
the charge of Seldon was principally for removing the pipes to a convenient depth, to enable the contractors to proceed with their work, and therefore that
portion should be paid by Mr. WYNN, the proprietor of the gas works, who laid his pipes by the permission of the town. The judge decided that the contractors
should be viewed as the servants of the town for the time being, and adjudged the waywardens to pay the bill.
Another case which excited a good deal of interest was that of the parish clerk Mr. WILLIAM REED v. THE CHURCHWARDENS, for the amount of his half-year
salary. He and his predecessors have been accustomed to receive GBP 2 per annum for a great number of years, but last year, in consequence of a difference
between the rector and his parishioners, they cut down all the salaries of the officials to nominal sums, that of the clerk to 1s. per annum. After a long
hearing, the judge postponed the case until next court, to enable plaintiff to obtain further evidence.
PENZANCE
At this court, on Tuesday last, an action was brought by the MAYOR, ALDERMEN, and BURGESSES OF PENZANCE against JAMES GWENNAP of Buryan. Defendant had
refused to pay the market toll of 1d. on a basket of butter, the action being brought by Mr. TEMOLE, the lessee of the borough markets. The court ordered
payment of the toll, with 10s.10d. costs, and remarked also on the folly of defendant incurring so much expense, he having at the trial admitted the claim.
REDUCTION OF RENTS - On Wednesday last, the steward of the Honourable MRS. AGAR and MR.
ROBARTES held their annual court at the Angel Inn, Helston, when ten percent was most liberally
deducted from the rents of the tenantry. On the following day the Earl of Falmouth's steward held a
court at the same place, when, on being applied to, he informed the tenantry that he had no
instructions to make any reduction in his lordship's rentals.
ADDRESS TO A CLERGYMAN - The REV. ROBERT AITKEN, late of Perranuthnoe, and now of Glasgow,
has been appointed by the Bishop of Exeter to the district of Pendeen, in St. Just in Penwith. The
appointment is so gratifying to the inhabitants of St. Just, some of whom recollect the rev.
gentleman's ministrations in Perran, that an address has been presented to him, congratulating him on his coming to the parish. The address has been signed by upwards of three hundred and fifty of the inhabitants, the great part of whom reside in the district of Pendeen.
LARGE BROCOLI - In the garden of Mr. THOMAS SOLOMAN, of Little Canaan, in the parish of Kenwyn,
a broccoli has been grown four feet seven inches in circumference, and of the weight of twelve and a half pounds.
APPOINTMENT - Mr. Frederick William Ponget CLEVERTON, of Saltash, has been appointed one of the
Perpetual Commissioners for taking the acknowledgments of deeds, to be executed by married
women under the act passed for the abolition of fines and recoveries, and for the substitution of more simple modes of assurance, in and for the county of Cornwall.
EMIGRATION - On Thursday evening, the 10th inst., the brig "MECCA," of Penzance, Captain HALE,
sailed from that port for New York, having on board between ninety and a hundred emigrants and a
few cabin passengers. The emigrants are principally miners from the neighbourhood of Penzance. On
Monday the "ONE," Captain WILLIAMS, sailed from St. Ives for Quebec, having ninety-five emigrants
on board. In these vessels the arrangements for the health and convenience of the passengers were
all that could be desired.
VESSEL LAUNCHED AT SCILLY - On Monday the 7th instant, a handsome clipper barque, named
"MANDARIN," was launched from the building yard of Mr. WILLIAM MUMFORD. This vessel will be
classed twelve years at Lloyds, in 316 tons register, O.M., 314 tons N.M, and will be commanded by Mr. James TREGARTHEN, the owner with Mr. THOMAS BUXTON. She is intended for the India and China
trade, and will proceed to Liverpool in the course of two or three days.
SHIPPING CASUALTIES - The schooner "SIR WALTER SCOTT," of Falmouth, Captain BREWER, with a
cargo of iron ore, struck on the Lay rock, near the Rundlestone, on Tuesday the 9th instant, and hung head down. The crew abandoned the vessel and got on board the "UNION," which landed them at
Falmouth. Some coast-guardmen afterwards boarded the schooner and saved some sails and stores
before she went to pieces. The master was the sole owner of the schooner, which was uninsured. A
French lugger was compelled to put into Penzance on Thursday morning the 10th instant, having lost
her foremast and received other damage in a heavy sea.
FIRE AT PENRYN - On Tuesday night last, a fire broke out in the stable of ALEXANDER REYNOLDS, fish-
seller, situate in college-passage, which was not extinguished until it was nearly burnt down;
fortunately the stable was detached from the surrounding buildings. Two boys connected with A.
REYNOLD's establishment, who slept in the stable on the night of the fire, were on Wednesday
morning committed to Bodmin to take their trial on a charge of arson.
AN OLD THIEF CAUGHT AGAIN - About four o'clock in the morning of the 12th instant, the family of
Capt. SAMUEL NOELL were awoke from their slumbers, at their residence, at Deveral, in the parish of
Gwinear, by a report that a thief had just stolen a live cock from the farm yard. Capt. Noell
immediately left his house, when he found the rogue had been well secured by three men who
happened to be passing at the moment the felony was committed. The man was placed in custody of
a constable, and on examination he stated that his own poultry having fled out of his basket into Capt. Noell's farm-yard as he was passing there, he went in to secure them and unfortunately mistook the rightful owner's property for his own. Capt. Noell having directed search to be made for the missing poultry, as described, found that the man's statement thus far was correct, the missing [duck] being discovered in the farm yard. Capt. Noell, however, suspecting all was not right, made further inquiries as to the man's residence and name. He described himself as JOHN JAMES, of Breage, where he said he had a wife and family, whom he left about one o'clock that morning. A messenger was dispatched to ascertain the truth of this statement, on whose arrival it [was discovered] that the wife had not seen the fellow for upwards of two years.
After this misrepresentation, it was suspected that the whole of the poultry had been stolen. He was charged with the crime, and after repeatedly denying it, and being told that the matter would be investigated before a magistrate, he at length confessed that he had not long ago been liberated from Bodmin gaol, where he had been confined fourteen months for an offence; that on the preceding night, he had left Camborne, with two men for the purpose of depredation, and had stolen the whole of the poultry found in the basket early that morning from a farm called Weeth. Capt. Noell then dispatched a messenger to Weeth, and the owner came and identified the stolen poultry as his property. The prisoner has since been committed to Bodmin by the Rev. U. TONKIN, of
Lelant, to take his trial at the next sessions.
INCENDIARISM - WILLIAM GEORGE MASON, of Newquay, has been committed to the county prison by Mr. R. G. BENNET, to take his trial on a charge of setting fire to a hay-rick belonging to Mr. E. CUNDY, malster, at Newquay.
TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, HENRY ROUGH, the driver of a van called the "Daily Van" from Truro to St. Austell, was charged with carrying two barrels of gunpowder, containing fifty pounds each, in the van without entirely enclosing the barrels in a leathern bag, or a bag called a saltpeter bag. He was convicted of the offence, and the powder was declared forfeited to the use of FITZSIMMONS, the policeman who seized it; and Rough was ordered to pay 10s. costs.
JAMES DOWRICK, the driver of a van from Newlyn to Truro, was charged with carrying twenty-five
pounds of powder in a similar manner. He was convicted, the powder was forfeited to the use of
Fitzsimmons, and Dowrick had to pay 10s. costs.
PRISCILLA MERTON was committed for trial at the next sessions for stealing 2s.3d. on Saturday last, from the person of ELIZABETH WILLEY, while in the shop of MR. GILL, Boscawen-street. It appeared that she stole the money while the girl Willey was standing at the counter. The prisoner is only about eleven years of age, but she has been previously convicted of stealing from the person, and under the Juvenile Offenders act, was sent to prison for three months.
On Tuesday last, JOSEPH TRENERRY, tailor, was fined GBP 2 and 11s. costs, for assaulting his father, SAMUEL TRENERRY, on Monday last. In default of payment, he was committed for two months.
CHILD MURDER - In our last week's paper we gave the result of a coroner's inquest, held on the body of a new born child found buried in a field at Redgate, in St. Cleer, when the jury returned a verdict of willful murder against some person or persons unknown. Suspicion has since fallen on a woman, called VENNARD, of Redgate, who it was proved had lately been delivered of a child. She with her mother and sister were taken into custody, and by MR. LYNE, committed to take their trial at the next assizes, for the murder of the child. The magistrate has subsequently taken bail for their appearance. Vennard is a married woman but has not lived with her husband for two years.
ACCIDENT BY MACHINERY - A boy called BATTEN was dreadfully injured on Tuesday whilst employed
at Mr. COULSON's mills, at Tolcarne, in Newlyn West, by his dress, which was a loose frock, becoming entangled in the machinery, which revolves nearly two hundred times a minute. The unfortunate lad was turned about in this manner until the water could be turned off, when from the injuries he received it was found necessary to amputate his arm; his legs and body were cut and bruised very severely.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - the following inquest has been held before Mr. CARLYON, coroner: On
Wednesday last, at Redruth, on the body of JOHN WEDLOCK, miner, aged 42 years, who was killed on
Tuesday, by a large stone falling on him whilst at work underground in Carn Brea Mine. Verdict,
"accidental death."
The following inquest has been held before Mr. HAMLEY, coroner: On Saturday last, an accident
occurred at Trescolla Mine, in the parish of Luxulion, by the bursting of the boiler, by which a man named SAMUEL WILLIAMS was so dreadfully scalded that he died in about twelve hours after the
accident. At the inquest JOHN WEBB, captain and agent of the mine, ..posed that he and JOHN KEAM,
the engine man, were [in] the engine house, on the boiler, when the explosion took place. The
deceased, who had just come from underground, was sitting by the fire place changing his clothes,
and was nearly naked, having only his drawers on. He (Capt. WEBB) had ordered the door of the fire-place to be opened, to prevent the steam from getting too high, as they were about to stop the
engine for the purpose of fixing a bucket, and Keam struck the safety valve with his foot to ascertain that all was right, when the boiler burst, throwing hot water in all directions. The deceased was dreadfully scalded on every part of his body. Keam was likewise much scalded and was not able to attend the inquest. Mr. ROBINSON, surgeon of the mine, was soon on the spot, and had Williams removed to his home, where every attention was paid him, but death put an end to his sufferings the same night. The only way Capt. Webb could account for the accident was, that some gas might have got into the tube, which by some means ignited and caused the explosion. Several of the miners were examined, all of whom stated that they considered the boiler a good one, and that they never apprehended any danger. Nine of the other miners had only left the engine-house about two minutes before the explosion took place. Several of the jury put many questions to the different witnesses as to
the cause of the accident, and being satisfied that there was no blame to be attached to any one, returned a verdict of "accidental death."
DEVON
EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA AND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE - On Friday the fine ship "ELIZA", Captain
PAIN, belonging to Messrs. MARSHALL and EDRIDGE, of London, and consigned to Mr. WILCOCKS, of
Plymouth, the zealous and active agent to Her Majesty's Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners,
in the West of England, left the Sound for Adelaide, South Australia, having on board 330 souls, equal to 266 statute adults, a portion of whom were selected by Mr. Wilcocks from the districts of the western counties. Amongst the emigrants were a number of young unmarried females sent out by
two of the metropolitan parishes. She also carries out a large number of cabin passengers, amongst whom are Capt. STURT, the celebrated Australian explorer and his family, Mr. MONTEFIORE, jun., &c., bound to Adelaide.
A party of influential gentlemen of Plymouth visited the "ELIZA" on Thursday, the day previous to her starting, all the emigrants being on board - and found her to be a fine new, capacious ship, and admirably adapted for the purpose for which she is now employed; her height between decks - a very necessary qualification for a passenger vessel - is above 8 feet, and her general fittings and arrangements are first style; the unmarried females berths were on the after part of the deck; the married persons midships, and the young men's forward, the three divisions being separated by battens, each having distinct entrances. The emigrants were under the care and personal superintendence of Mr. CARR, the surgeon, a gentleman who thoroughly understands and is alive to the important duties of his profession. Every one was highly pleased with the ship and the arrangements made for the comfort of the passengers and emigrants, who appeared in the highest spirits, amusing themselves on
the deck in various ways, and saying they felt assured they should better their condition, by the step which they had taken.
The "VICTORIA", Capt. CARPHIN, 554 tons, in the Sound with a great number of emigrants on board, sailed for Sydney on Saturday. The "PANAMA," Captain WATT, 522 tons, for Port Phillip and Sydney, came in on Thursday evening, after a short passage from Gravesend; she will embark emigrants at Plymouth and will sail in a day or two; both these fine ships are consigned to Mr. Wilcocks. The "ROYAL ALICE," to embark passengers for the Cape of Good Hope arrived on Sunday, and is to sail this week; she is a remarkably fine vessel, and also consigned to Mr. Wilcocks.
EXETER DISTRICT COURT OF BANKRUPTCY
Re FRANCIS PAYNTER, attorney, of Penzance. An adjourned meeting for the last examination of the
bankrupt. After an examination of several hours, the commissioner said he could not allow the
bankrupt to pass his last examination. He was not satisfied with the bankrupt's answers respecting
mortgage deeds to Mr. NICHOLLS; but he confined his dissatisfaction to the bankrupt's answers upon
this question alone. The examination was then adjourned sine die. On Thursday, however, Mr.
STOGDON, who was prevented by an accident from attending the bankrupt's examination on the
previous day, came into court on crutches, and informed the commissioner that some papers had
been found in the official assignee's office, throwing a light on Mr. Nicholls's transaction respecting the deeds, and confirmatory of Mr. Paynter's account of it, when the Commissioner expressed his satisfaction at any further information having been obtained, and renewed the bankrupt's protection.
MONDAY, MAY 14, Re COBBLEDICK, late farmer and relieving officer, Cornwall. Sitting for last
examination and choice, Mr. G. W. TURNER for the bankrupt, who was opposed by Mr. STOGDON, on
the ground of informalities in his balance sheet, which he was ordered to amend, and the sitting was adjourned for that purpose. Mr. SHEARM, of Stratton, was chosen trade assignee.
25 May 1849, Friday
THE QUEEN'S STATE BALL AND DRAWING ROOM - Her Majesty gave a state
ball on the 16th instant, at
Buckingham Palace, to a party of 1,200. Among those present were the
Earl of Falmouth, the Earl of St.
Germans, Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, Countess of St. Germans, Countess of
Mount Edgcumbe, Lady
Vivian, Lady Charlotte Eliot, Hon. Mrs. Vivian, Sir C. Lemon, Sir W.
Molesworth, Mr. Carew, M.P., Mrs.
Pole Carew, Mrs. Pendarves, Miss C. Pole Carew, Major Stephens, the
Hon. Capt. Vivian, Captain
Trelawny, the Hon. Lieutenant G. Eliot. On the Saturday afternoon,
the Queen held a drawing-room
in St. Jame's palace, in celebration of her Majesty's birthday.
Amongst the company present were the
Countess of St. Germans, Lady Molesworth, Hon. Miss Vivian, Mrs, J. H.
Vivian, Miss C. Pole Carew, Sir
William Molesworth, Mr. Crowder, M.P., Mr. J. H. Vivian, Mr. Wyld,
M.P., Mr. G. Borlase Childs.
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY - Mr. GEORGE ANDREW, of Carne, St.
Austell, has been elected a member of
the Royal Agricultural Society of England.
ZELAH SOCIAL TEA MEETING - On the 15th instant a public tea was
provided at the Wesleyan [chapel?],
Zelah, in St. Allen, at a moderate charge, when not withstanding the
unfavourable weather, upwards
of one hundred and thirty persons were present. Too much praise
cannot be given to the ladies who
kindly gave their services on the occasion, particularly the landlady,
who must have made a
considerable sacrifice, it being the annual feast of that parish.
After the repast, a public meeting took
place, Mr. RUNNELLS of St. Erme in the chair, who addressed the
meeting, and was followed by Messrs.
REYNOLDS of St. Agnes, [..] of Kenwyn, MITCHELL and PAULL of Gwennap.
On the following Saturday,
the children of the Wesleyan Sunday school, at Zelah, were regaled
with tea and cake.
St. MARYs CHAPEL ORGAN, PENZANCE - The organ at St. Mary's chapel,
Penzance, has been placed
in complete order and tuned, under the direction of Mr. VINER, the
organist. On Sunday last its sweet
effects and great power were fully displayed. The appropriate anthem
for the day, Handel's sublime
chorus "Lift up your heads," was most correctly executed by the
choristers, and the last voluntary "The
horse and his rider," from Israel in Egypt, showed the brilliancy and
richness of the noble organ. Its
mechanical movements are most extensive and complication; six keys are
pressed down with one
finger, when seventy-five pipes speak, and with one pedal one hundred
and one. It has forty stops
and three rows of keys.
REDRUTH - Mr. JOSEPH JOSEPH, of Redruth, in which place he has
carried on the business of a
jeweller for the last thirty years, being about to remove to Plymouth
for the advantage of a more
extensive opening, a large party of the principal tradesmen of
Redruth met together at Andrew's
Hotel on Thursday, the 17th instant, to pay him the compliment of a
public supper preparatory to his
departure. The feast was given in the large ticketing room, and was
supplied in Mrs. Andrew's usual
style of excellence and liberality. Although the tables extended the
whole length of the room some
contrivance was necessary for the accommodation of the unexpectedly
large numbers who embraced
the opportunity of manifesting their respect for Mr. Joseph's
honourable and consistent character.
KILKHAMPTON FAIR - this fair on Holy Thursday was remarkably dull,
and very little stock changed
hands; what were sold realized very low prices. Lean bullocks fetched
20s. per cwt; sheep 5d. per lb.;
cows and calves from GBP 7 to GBP 10, calves 12s. to 15s. each.
ROCHE FAIR - This fair, on the 16th instant, was very small, and
very little business was done. The
show of cattle and sheep was very inferior.
[much the same reports were given for Summercourt and Trewithian]
EXTRAORDINARY STEER - An immense steer, considered by competent
judges to be between ten and
eleven hundred weight, is now in the possession of Mr. JAMES ARTHUR,
of Dowland, in the parish of
Morval, who has had the animal from a calf. The steer will be three
years old on the 1st of June, 1849.
REDRUTH UNION - On the 4th instant, a special meeting of the Redruth
Board of Guardians was held
for the purpose of electing a clerk in the place of the late Mr.
WILLIAM DAVEY. There were twenty-
eight guardians present, and Mr. GULSON, the inspector, attended to
watch the proceedings. There
had been five candidates for the office, three of whom, for various
reasons, were withdrawn on the
day of election, the names of MR. J. LUKE PETER, solicitor, and MR. T.
R. HEARLE, solicitor, and of MR.
JAMES JOHNS, who had been assistant clerk to MR. DAVEY, were the only
ones proposed. Mr. J. P.
MAGOR was the presiding chairman.
A prepatory vote was taken for the purpose of reducing the competitors
to two, and Mr. Johns having
the fewest supporters, the question came to be whether Mr. Hearle or
Mr. Peter should be chosen.
Mr. Magor who had spoken and voted for Mr. Johns, declined to vote for
either of the other
gentlemen. Fourteen guardians voted for Mr. Peter, and thirteen for
Mr. Hearle. The general order
of the commissioners directs that "every officer shall be elected by a
majority of the guardians present
at a meeting of the board, &c." and the inspector considered this to
mean a majority of those present,
whether they voted or not, so that if a majority of the board did not
choose to vote at all, no election
could be had; and that as fourteen was not a majority of
twenty-eight, there must be a new election.
It was, however, shown to him that the courts of law in similar cases
had held that "the majority of the
guardians present &c." must necessarily be taken to mean "guardians
present and voting on the
question," those who do not vote being concluded by the majority of
those who do. He then
expressed his intention of laying the matter before the Poor Law
Board, and after the transaction of
some other business the guardians adjourned.
At the ordinary meeting of the Board of Guardians on Monday the 14th
instant, a letter from the Poor
Law Board was read, confirming "MR. J. L. PETER in the office of
clerk," he having, at the meeting on
the 4th instant, been appointed by a majority of the guardians present
and voting on the question."
[as written]
It now appeared that the inspector from whose draft the proceedings
of the 4th instant had been
entered in the minute book, had omitted all mention of the business
for which that meeting had been
specially held, and those minutes having been signed, it became
necessary to frame a retrospective
minute, that Mr. Peter's election might duly appear on the record, Mr.
Peter having, on Monday the
14th, expressed a wish to waive his ex-officio right to the office of
Superintendent Registrar of the
Union, Mr. JOHN HAYE, of Redruth, was unanimously elected to that
office in his place. A paragraph
which we quoted in our last number but one, gave an opinion of the
inspector, as a decision of the
Poor Law Board; and as that opinion proves to be as much at variance
with law, as it is with common
sense, we have thought it better, in correction of the former
paragraph, to give the proceedings in
detail from the information of our own correspondent.
TYWARDREATH PETTY SESSIONS - At these sessions held at the
Porcupine Inn, Tywardreath, on
Monday last, before Mr. SAWLE and Mr. T. GRAHAM, on the information of
Miss MARY HEWETT and
the Rev. Mr. BAMPFIELD, curate at Fowey, prosecuted by the guardians
of the St. Austell Union, Mr.
John SPARNALL, of the Ship Inn, FOWEY, appeared, on summons, to
answer a complaint for having a
nuisance outside his stable door, near the church-yard, Fowey, caused
by his putting stable dung into a
pit or hutch built up for that purpose. MR. WILLIAM DREW, of St.
Austell, the guardians inspector,
surveyed the pit on the 10th instant, and reported thereon to the
guardians at the boardroom. There
being no guardian then present from Fowey, it was determined to issue
a summons, which Drew
served on Saturday last. Mr. Sparnall employed Mr. BISHOP, of Fowey,
as his attorney, and had also a
host of respectable witnesses to prove that no nuisance existed, the
dung having been for some time
past removed once a week; but the cause broke down at its outset, Mr.
Drew having sworn, was
asked if he surveyed the pit on the day that he served the summons; he
said he did so before the
defendant was summoned, and found it quite clean. He was then asked
why, if the pit was clean, he
served the summons at all? His evidence being unsatisfactory, the
complaint was ..missed, and an
order was made for the complainants' costs to be paid by the parish,
the defendant being left to settle
his own costs; the costs together being upwards of GBP 8. Many of the
parishioners of Fowey are
highly displeased, and insist that the borough and parish shall not
pay, and the defendant intends
bringing the matter before the judge of the county court. Two persons
were each fined GBP 1 and
costs, for assaulting a gingerbread stall at Lanlivery feast with dirt
and turf. Several minor cases were
also settled.
TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, SARAH POLKINGHORNE was fined 6d. and
14s. costs, for assaulting
EMILY PHILIPPA CALLOWAY, on the 14th instant. HENRY POLKINGHORNE,
tailor, was ordered to enter
into recognizances, himself in GBP 40, with two sureties in GBP 20
each, to keep the peace for twelve
calendar months, and in default he was committed to gaol for twelve
months, for having on the 21st
instant, assaulted and threatened to knock the life out of Emily
Philippa Calloway. When before the
mayor, Polkinghorne appealed to a man called CREWS as to whether he
had assaulted the
complainant, and, on Crews affirming that he had, the tailor
immediately struck him in court.
COMMITTAL FOR STABBING - On Friday last, JOHN HARVIE was charged
before Mr. ROGERS, mayor
of Falmouth, with stabbing JAMES POTTER. Harvie is chief mate and
Potter second mate of the barque
"MARCHIONESS ALISA," from Odessa with grain, waiting orders at
Falmouth. A day or two since the
chief mate gave some orders which Potter refused to attend to. On the
mate remonstrating with him
he still proved refractory; high words ensued, and in a scuffle that
followed the chief mate, swearing
he would take Potter's life, seized a mall and aimed a blow at Potter,
which was arrested by a
carpenter. The quarrel still continuing they again closed, and fell
on the deck, when Harvie drew a
knife and inflicted a dangerous wound on the hip of Potter, who was
immediately brought on shore.
Harvie was committed for trial at the next sessions.
ROBBERIES - Within the last few days several robberies have been
committed in the neighbourhood
of Camborne. On Monday night, the 21st, or early on the following
morning, some thieves entered the
bar of Tyack's Hotel through the back window, and regaled themselves
with the best to be found in
the larder and cellar, and then decamped, taking with them several
articles of silver, some bottles of
brandy, and a few other articles. It would appear that the party had
been disturbed, or a more
extensive robbery would probably have been perpetrated. We understand
that similar depredations
were committed on the same night at Penponds and Praze.
Early on Friday morning last, the workshop of MR. RODDA, shoemaker,
Hayle, was entered, by means
of a false key, and a quantity of leather with several pairs of boots
and shoes were stolen. On the
same morning, a quantity of sacks and old iron was stolen from the
barn of MR. ANDREW STEVENS, at
Wheal Alfred. No clued[sic] has been obtained to the discovery of
the guilty parties. Larcenies have
been of frequent occurrence in the neighbourhood of Hayle during the
last few months. On Thursday
night, the 23rd instant, a shop belonging to MR. THOMAS POLGLASS,
tailor, at Charlestown, was broken
into and robbed of a considerable quantity of clothing to the value of
GBP 15 and upwards, with which
the thief got clear off, and has not since been detected.
SELF DESTRUCTION - A farmer called WILLIAM BODY living at Lower
Kanegye, in Breage, hung himself
in his hayloft on Saturday last. It appears that he had recently
returned from Bodmin asylum. About
seven o'clock in the morning, he was met by his wife in a field near
their dwelling house, he was met
by his wife in a field near their dwelling house, and she asked him
what he was going to do with the
piece of rope he held in his hand? He said "Why, hang myself" and
passed on, but she had no thought
that he really intended to commit the act.
WILLIAM JEFFERY, shoemaker, Redruth, hung himself on Wednesday night
in an outhouse behind his
dwelling. He was not found until about one o'clock on Thursday
morning, and when cut down was
quite dead and appeared to have been so for several hours. The man is
reported to have been in very
comfortable circumstances, but to have been laboring for some time
under an apprehension that he
should come to want. He is said to have made repeated attempts at
self-destruction before; one,
many years ago, from which he was narrowly saved. The last fatal
attempt appears to have been
made with great determination. The cord was not larger than a small
quill, but a running noose had
been made in it with every precaution for security, and was so short
that it must have been first
fastened around his neck and then tied firmly to a hook which was
nailed to a beam only a few inches
above his own height from the ground.
FATAL ACCIDENT - At Boswedden mines, in St. Just, on Friday last,
JOHN ANGWIN, a miner, was
employed kipsing down the back of one of the levels for tin. He
discovered a queer of ground in the
side, and was about to take it down, when it fell on him and caused
instant death by catching his
breast across the piece of wood on which he was standing and breaking
his neck. Deceased has left a
widow and six children; his eldest son lost his sight by the explosion
of a hole in the same mine four or
five years ago.
CORONERS' INQUEST - An inquest was held on Wednesday week, at
Antony, near Torpoint, upon
the body of a male infant, which had been found on the previous
Monday, inclosed in a roughly-made
coffin, upon the shore of Whitsand Bay. It was proved that the child
had died a natural death, and it
was evident that it had been most carefully deposited in its narrow
shell. The linen bore the name of
"H.R. SANDERS," and from the circumstance of a piece of lead, of the
weight of 10 lbs. being found in
the coffin, it is inferred that the deceased was the child of some
poor emigrant, and that having died at
sea, it had been committed to the deep, the ground swell causing it to
be washed on shore at the spot
where it was found. If this be so, it would, doubtless, afford a
melancholy satisfaction to its bereaved
mother, could she be informed of the fact, that the remains of her
infant now lie quietly interred
beneath the sod in the village churchyard of Antony.
EMIGRATION - Those who had friends who left Plymouth in the "SAMUEL
BODDINGTON" on the 9th
of October last, will be glad to hear that the ship arrived at Port
Adelaide on the 3rd of January
following, having been twelve weeks and four days on the passage.
CONSISTORIAL COURT, EXETER - On Friday, the 18th inst., before Mr.
CHANCELLOR MARTIN, the case
of VOSPER v. VOSPER, the judge gave sentence. This was a business of
proving, in solemn form of law,
the last will and testament of MR. PETER VOSPER, late of East
Stonehouse, in Devon, wine merchant,
bearing date the 2nd day of November, 1848. The cause was promoted by
MRS. MARTHA VOSPER, the
widow and sole executrix, against MR. RICHARD VOSPER, of Lewannick,
in Cornwall, miller, one of the
brothers of the deceased. The property, consisting of considerable
freehold, leasehold, and
personality, amounted to upwards of GBP 20,000. The suit was
instituted in December last; on the
opening of the court this day, and the cause being called, the Judge
gave sentence for the widow, thus
establishing the will of the testator.
VAGRANCY - At the Exeter Guildhall, on Monday, RICHARD HAYS was
charged with vagrancy, on
Sunday morning: The policeman said I saw this man going to several
houses at the Red Cow begging
for bread, and I charged him with doing it, and he said he shouldn't
have nothing to eat, if he didn't, so
I brought him to the station house. He had been relieved at the
workhouse the night before. The
defendant said he belonged to HAYLE, in Cornwall, and had been
employed by Messrs. HARVEY there
at the smith's forge, but work was scarce; he had been to Southampton.
He was in the county gaol
two months ago for begging at Devonport. He said he had offered to
enlist as a soldier, but was too
slight. Committed to prison for three days with hard labour.
[ BACK ]