cornwall england newspaper
1851 NEWS
NOVEMBER
7 NOVEMBER 1851, Friday
MEVAGISSEY - A House and Shop to Let, now in the occupation of Mrs.
E. SCANTLEBURY. The Premises are in a good situation, and well adapted
for the Drapery and Grocery trades, for which purpose they have for
many years been occupied. For particulars apply to JOSIAH KITTO,
Mevagissey. Dated Nov 5, 1851.
TEETOTALISM - A public meeting was held on Monday last at Bodmin,
which was attended by Mr. ADDLESHAW, the county agent. The attendance
was respectable, and the attention and applause marked. Some
signatures were taken, and a considerable quantity of Livesey's cheap
tracts were sold at the close.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS - From the Registrar General's returns
from the various districts of England, it appears that the marriages
still exceed the average, but are less numerous than the marriages in
the corresponding quarter of last year. The births continue to
increase rapidly, and the mortality is below the average; the returns
therefore present a favourable view of the state of the country.
Amongst those counties in which the marriages have increased, Cornwall
is included. The Registrar General remarks that the observation has
been made that the marriages increase after a fatal epidemic; and in
the present returns the marriages are seen to have been in excess
generally where cholera was most fatal in 1849. There have been
150,584 births registered in the past quarter ending September 30th,
which is the greatest number ever registered in the same season of the
year. During the same quarter 91,600 persons died, leaving an excess
of 58,984 in the population. There is a great deal of emigration, but
the Registrar General remarks that up to a late period there has been a
constant immigration of the Irish and Scotch into England, which
appears to have been fully equivalent to the emigration of the English
into the colonies and to foreign parts; but no exact statistical
information on this subject exists. The Registrar General remarks that
"the South Western Division, with the exception of Cornwall, was
healthier than is usual. Scarlatina and diarrhoea prevailed in
Plymouth and Stoke Damarel. Scarlatina was the chief cause of the high
mortality in Cornwall. Smallpox has also been there. Dysentery is now
prevailing at St. Ives. In the Penzance sub-district the deaths
exceeded the births registered; and sanatory measures are so grossly
neglected by the inhabitants, that fifty-seven of their children have
died of small-pox, which is still prevailing." The returns from
Cornwall show that the deaths registered in the past quarter ending
September 30th, were 1,814; in the same quarter of 1850, the number was
1,376.
EMIGRATION - From the Registrar General's report it appears that
85,603 emigrants left the ports of the United Kingdom at which there
are government emigration officers in the quarter ending September
30th, 1851. This is at the rate of 930 a day; 6,510 a week. 13,963
sailed from Irish ports, 4,378 from Glasgow and Greenock, and 67,262
from three English ports; namely, 10,062 from London, 2,799 from
Plymouth, and 54,401 from Liverpool. Many of the Irish emigrants are
returned at Liverpool. Of the total number 68,960 emigrants sailed to
the United States, 9,268 to British North America, 6,097 to the
Australian Colonies, and 1,278 to other places. The emigration has
hitherto been greater in 1851 than it was in the corresponding quarters
of 1850. The Registrar General observes that the present movement of
the population is in many respects remarkable. The free admission of
grain, fruit, and meat, since the scarcity is equivalent to an addition
to the country of a vast tract of fertile soil, which calls for
cultivators, and, as the land is abroad, for agricultural emigrants who
prefer the cheap though distant lands of America to the high-rented
farms of Ireland, no longer possessing a monopoly for its produce in
the English market. The fact deserves attention, that while the United
kingdom has been importing food in unprecedented quantities, it has
been sending out swarms of emigrants from the population, of which the
marriages and births promise to keep up a perpetual and increasing
supply.
Mr. CROWDER - The Bristol papers announce that Mr. Crowder, Q.C., the
member for Liskeard, will be appointed to the puisne judgeship in the
Court of Queen's Bench, to be rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr.
Justice PATTESON.
GRAYS INN - At a pension of the honourable society of Grays Inn,
holden on Wednesday last, Mr. WILLIAM VOSPER, of Stoke Cottage,
Devonport, and Mr. JOSEPH TAYLOR, of Overton House, near Wakefield, in
the county of York, were called to the degree of barrister at law. At
the same pension Mr. WALTER COULSON, one of the recently appointed
Queen's Counsel, took his seat as a Bencher of the society.
PENZANCE - The silver medal of the Royal National Institution for the
preservation of lives from shipwreck, was unanimously voted on Thursday
last, to Mr. RICHARD PEARCE, of Penzance, "In appreciation of his
humanity and intrepidity in having gone off, and always taking the
lead, to upwards of forty wrecked vessels, and thereby being
instrumental, under Divine Providence, in having assisted to save a
large number of lives; with the fervent wish of the committee that he
may long live to wear the medal, to stimulate others to emulate his
laudable example."
PENDENNIS CASTLE - On Wednesday last, the detachment of the 77th
Regiment doing Garrison duty at Pendennis, was replaced by a detachment
of the 79th, from Plymouth, the former being about to proceed to Cork.
MR. KEY'S HOUNDS - On Monday week, Mr. HART KEY's hounds proceeded to
Vyell's Park, where they soon unkennelled Mr. Reynard, very much to the
delight of a large field, and after a splendid day's sport they
succeeded in killing a brace of foxes. After the sports of the field,
about thirty gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner provided by Mr.
THOMAS, at the Commercial Hotel, Wadebridge, at which Mr. SAMUEL
POLLARD presided, and Mr. JAMES ARNEY HICK acted as vice-chairman.
After the usual loyal and other toasts, the chairman, in an appropriate
speech, proposed the health of their guest, Mr. Key, and further stated
that it occurred to him and a few of his friends a short time since
that Mr. Key was entitled to some mark of esteem for his kindness on
all occasions in affording them such excellent sport; he had therefore
much pleasure in presenting him with a silver hunting horn, on which
was engraved; "A small token of esteem presented to Hart Key, by a few
of his sporting companions, 1851." Mr. Key's health was then drunk
with the best feeling, to which he replied in his usual happy style.
The evening was spent in the greatest harmony, and the songs and glees
greatly contributed to the enjoyment of the party which broke up about
twelve o'clock.
SALVAGE - We understand that Messrs. FRANCIS BANFIELD and SONS, the
agents to the underwriters of Hamburg at Scilly, have offered on behalf
of their principals, the salvors of the hull and cargo of the
Neapolitan brig "San Giorgio," towed into that port on the 25th of
September last, the sum of GBP2,000 for salvage of the 219 casks towed
in with the hull; GBP15 per ton for about thirty tons picked up at sea,
and GBP110 for the hull, altogether about GBP2,500, which offer the
salvors have accepted. Messrs. Francis Banfield and Sons have been
recently appointed agents to the French Lloyds, and also to the
underwriters of Paris at Scilly.
ST. AUSTELL PETTY SESSIONS - These sessions were held in the
town-hall, on Tuesday last, before a full bench of magistrates when
WILLIAM SNELL of St. Stephens, was fined GBP1 and costs, for riding on
his waggon and driving without any reins.
Mr. THOMAS GROSE, draper, of St. Austell, was fined 5s. and costs for
leaving his goods on the causeway.
WALTER GUMMOE was convicted of being drunk and breaking the peace, and
bound over in GBP10 with two sureties to keep the peace for the next
six months.
JAMES RICKARD was committed for one month, for refusing to pay towards
the maintenance of an illegitimate child.
ROBBERY - On Friday evening last as a person named WILLIAM RICHARDS
was returning home from St. Austell, he was met by several persons one
of whom (a woman) asked him to treat her with some drink and in the
mean time robbed him of GBP1. 7s. Information was given to the police
who succeeded in taking ELIZABETH BAMFIELD, HENRY ARTHUR, THOMAS
WATSON, BARTLETT PASCOE, and MARTHA ABBOT. On the following morning,
they were brought before Messrs. SAWLE and E. COODE, jun., when the
three former were set at liberty and the two latter committed to take
their trial at the next sessions.
CORONER'S INQUEST - On Friday last, an inquest was held before Mr.
ROUS PENDER, coroner for Falmouth, on the body of THOMAS HICKS, mate of
the schooner "Argyle," then lying in the harbour. From the evidence of
the master, JOHN LEWIS, it appeared that the vessel arrived from
Hamburg the day before, and in the evening he left the ship in charge
of the mate who said he was not coming on shore. He was seen however
on the market strand about half-past seven, and was going towards the
Duke of Kent Inn, at the back of which the boat must have been lying.
In the morning of Friday, the boat was picked up on the rocks near Fish
Strand, and the deceased's hat and one oar near Mulberry square steps,
and about one o'clock of the same day the body of deceased was found at
the back of the quay near Britton's yard. It was supposed deceased who
was a little tipsy when last seen must have been skulling off to his
ship and fell overboard. Verdict "found drowned." Deceased was a
Welchman aged 64 years.
14 NOVEMBER 1851, Friday
THE NEWSPAPERS PRINTED IN CORNWALL - A return has recently been made
to Parliament and printed with the evidence taken before the Select
Committee of the House of Commons on Newspaper Stamps showing the
number of stamps issued to every newspaper in Great Britain and
Ireland, for fourteen years ending December last. From it we gather
that the number of Stamps issued during that time was:- West
Briton...1,548,000. Cornwall Gazette...717, 433. Penzance
Gazette...208,577. The number issued during the past year, 1850, to
each paper was:- West Briton...132,500. Cornwall Gazette...65,000.
Penzance Gazette...9,257. It is scarcely necessary for us to make any
comment on these figures, but they sufficiently prove that the
circulation of the West Briton is nearly double that of the other
papers printed in Cornwall added together. These statistical facts
must speak for themselves; and Advertisers will soon discover through
what channel their notices should pass to obtain a large amount of
publicity.
FALMOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH - The Rev. J. JACKSON, who for the last four
years has been the minister of the Baptist church and congregation in
Webber Street chapel, Falmouth, has received an address from the Board
of Missions to take the superintendence of the Christian church and
establishment in the important city of Agra, Northern India, which with
the district, comprises a population of about 100,000 inhabitants.
This gentleman, whose talents and preaching qualifications are of a
high order, leaves the neighbourhood deeply regretted by a flourishing
church and congregation, and carrying with him the respect of the
religious public in general.
WESLEYAN MISSIONS - A missionary meeting was held in the Wesleyan
Chapel, Ponsanooth, on Thursday evening the 6th instant, Mr. J. LANYON,
of Camborne, in the chair. The attentive congregation heard with
delight the interesting statements of facts connected with the Wesleyan
Mission in the West Indies, where the narrator, the Rev. J. BIGGS has
laboured for twenty-one years. The importance of endeavouring to
accelerate the divine work of Christian missions was dwelt upon in
earnest addresses by the Rev. L. WATERHOUSE, of Falmouth, Mr. G. HAGEN,
of St. Day, and Mr. B. BROWNE of Carharrack.
ELECTIONS OF MAYORS - PENZANCE. The Mayor and most of the
corporation had previously attended divine service in St. Mary's
church. After the clock had struck twelve Mr. R. V. DAVY proposed Mr.
R. PEARCE, for the office of Mayor. The motion was seconded by Mr. W.
D. MATHEWS, and Mr. Pearce was at once unanimously elected. The usual
annual dinner of the Town Council took place on the same day, at the
Western Hotel. The new mayor was in the chair, and the town clerk Mr.
E. H. RODD, acted as vice president. The party numbered about forty.
The banquet was of the most elegant character; the hilarity of the
evening was well sustained; and the proceedings passed off with much
eclat.
HELSTON - On Monday last, Mr. THOMAS ROGERS was elected mayor for the
ensuing year, and on Tuesday Mr. GLYNN GRYLLS, the ex-mayor, gave the
usual feast to the members of the corporation, at the Angel Inn.
PENRYN - On Monday last, Mr. J. MEAD was elected mayor of this town
for the ensuing year.
FALMOUTH - On Monday last, a meeting of the council was held, when
the whole of the members were present, with one exception. On
proceeding to a poll for the Mayor, the numbers were equal for Mr.
CUTTANCE and Mr. ELLIS, when the late mayor was desired to give the
casting vote, but begged to be relieved from the awkwardness of
choosing his successor. It as then resolved to have a new election,
when Mr. Ellis had eight votes and Mr. Cuttance five. Mr. Ellis was
consequently installed as mayor. Mr. BROUGHAM moved a vote of thanks
to the retiring may, seconded by Mr. CORNISH, and supported by Mr.
ROBERT BROAD, to which the ex-may responded. Mr. Ellis addressed the
council, and said he hoped to fill the office to the best of his
abilities, and to make himself useful to the interests of the town.
The other business of the quarterly meeting was then transacted.
BODMIN - On Monday last, Mr. WILLIAM SERJEANT was elected Mayor of
Bodmin for the ensuing year.
LISKEARD - Mr. BERNARD ANSTIS has been elected Mayor of this borough
for the ensuing year.
GREAT WHEAL ALFRED - A splendid engine of 90-inch cylinder,
constructed at the factory of Messrs. HARVEY and CO., Hayle Foundry,
was set to work on this mine, on Wednesday last, under the
superintendency of Mr. S. GROSE, C.E., in the presence of a vast
concourse of spectators, who appeared highly gratified with the
proceedings on the occasion, some of whom could well remember the
former working, which yielded such immense profits to the adventurers.
The day was generally observed as a holiday throughout the
neighbourhood, and a dinner was provided on the spot for the whole of
the tradesmen and labourers belonging to the mine. A large party of
the adventurers, agents, and their friends, dined together at Alfred
Consols, the counting-house of Great Wheal Alfred being in course of
repair. During the day Phillack church bells rang several merry peals,
and in the evening there was a beautiful display of fire works, with
bonfires, tar barrels, &c. A ball at Treglisson House, the residence
of Mr. RICHARD NICHOLLS, closed the proceedings of this highly
interesting and long-to-be-remembered day. It is to be hoped that this
great undertaking will be crowned with abundant success.
CARADON WOOD MINING COMPANY - On Monday the 3rd instant, a new water
wheel 30 feet diameter, by 10 1/4 feet breast was put in operation on
this mine, and on the following Saturday the mine was visited by the
principal shareholders and several of the agents of mines in the
district. The wheel works excellently, and the operations are
progressing expeditiously. The engine-shaft is down about 11 fathoms,
and it is intended to sink 30 fathoms under the adit, or nearly 40
fathoms from surface before cross-cutting to the main lode. There are
several north and south and east and west lodes; the western one of the
former being a very large strong lode, with a leader of flucan about 2
feet wide, in which very fine granular lead has been found at 12 or 15
feet below the surface. Owing to the easy nature of the ground, the
shaft can be sunk about 6 fathoms a month, and the water power being
ample, the expenses will be comparatively small. In the evening an
excellent dinner was provided at Webb's hotel, Liskeard, when the chair
was filled by Mr. J. H. MURCHISON, and there were also present Mr.
ARTHUR DEAN, agent for Sir WILLIAM TRELAWNY, and many captains of mines.
LONGEVITY - There is now living in the parish of St. Enoder an old
farmer who has seen ninety-five summers, and who has farmed a large
estate, and conducted his own affairs for the last seventy-one years.
He still continues to attend the fairs and markets of the locality, and
thinks no more of riding a dozen miles to sell many bushels of corn,
than he did some three or four dozen years ago. At tithe audits, rent
dinners, and other parochial meetings, he is an invariable attendant,
and on all occasions seems to enter into convivialities with as much
zest as the most happy juvenile.
COMMITTAL - On Monday last, two men of Mevagissey, named CHARLES
HAMBLY RAWLING, and WILLIAM MORRICE, were brought before Sir J. S. G.
SAWLE, Bart., and Mr. E. COODE, jun., charged with poaching at Heligan,
the seat of Mr. TREMAYNE, They were committed to gaol, for three
month's hard labour.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquest was held before Mr. JOHN
CARLYON, county coroner; On Wednesday last, at East Wheal Rose mine,
on the body of ROBERT SLEEMAN, aged 45 years. The deceased was a small
farmer and maltster, of Newquay, and had [part?] of a contract for
delivering coals at East Wheal [Rose?] mine, to which place there is a
railroad from Newquay. On Tuesday last, he sent a couple of wagons
laden with coals to the mine, and accompanied the driver himself for
the purpose of assisting him in unloading the wagons and applying the
drag when necessary. From the entrance to the mine by the railway to
the coal yard there is a slight ascent, and immediately outside the
yard wall, there is a curve in the line, on rounding which the wagons
pass almost close to the wall. A few yards before the horses arrived
at this spot, they stopped, and deceased applied the drag; after they
had rested a short time, he told the driver to put them on again, which
he did, and whilst deceased was attending to the drag, the waggon
arrived at the narrow part of the curve and his head and shoulders were
crushed between the wall and the waggon, and he was killed on the spot.
Verdict, "accidental death."
An inquest was held at the London Inn, Liskeard, on Friday the 7th
inst., before Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY, deputy coroner, upon the body of JOHN
[HA.....?], a carpenter in Wheal Gill Mine, St. Cleer, who was killed
on the preceding day. It appeared from the evidence that deceased,
with several others, were rolling the boiler, which was a very heavy
one, up an acclivity, and that while the deceased was in the act of
placing a stone beneath it, to prevent it slipping, a rope which was
attached thereto broke, and the boiler rolling over the man's head,
killed him on the spot. No blame, it appears, is attachable to anyone.
Verdict "accidental death."
STANNARIES' COURT - Thursday, November 6. CLAIM BY MINERS. ALLEN
and OTHERS v. CLYMA. Mr. CHILCOTT for the plaintiffs, and Mr. STOKES
for the defendant. The claim was by Allen and three others against the
Captain of Wheal Tremayne, in the parish of St. Ervan. The mount of
the claim was GBP30. 2s. for work done during the months of April, May
and June last. Mr. Chilcott called the plaintiff, JOEL ALLEN, who
stated that he and three others were employed by defendant, and worked
during the three months mentioned, at certain fixed wages, and that the
sum they claimed was due. THOMAS RAWLINGS, a miller having a mill
within one hundred yards of the mine, said he saw the plaintiffs
working there during those three months. NOEL CLYMA, the captain of
the mine, and defendant in the action, was subpoened by Mr. Chilcott,
under the recent act of parliament, to give evidence on the part of
plaintiffs. He said he was captain of the mine, that he employed the
men, and the money was due to them. On Cross-Examination he said he
was employed in this mine four years ago under a Mr. DYMOND, and was
paid by him. That the mine was then idle for two years; but two years
ago he was employed by a Mr. WILLIAMS, and worked under him for six
months, and was paid by him. The mine had been again idle for sixteen
months; but on recommencing in April last, he was directed by this same
Mr. Dymond to employ these men, the plaintiffs, and he was himself
employed as captain. Mr. Stokes asked him whether he did not know
there were other adventurers who claimed the materials, and that these
others had nothing to do with Dymond? He denied that was so as far as
he knew. Mr. Stokes then addressed the court for the defence. He said
he appeared for the real owners of the mining materials, who were
exceedingly surprised at finding that people had been sent on the mine
without their knowledge, and were exceedingly angry that anybody was
claiming a lien upon their materials. He said he knew nothing of
Dymond, who had in reality nothing to do with the mine, and was
unconnected with the real owners of the materials. He submitted that
Mr. Chilcott had not done enough in proving that the men were employed
by a resident captain; he ought to have shown that the captain had been
duly employed by the real owners of the materials. It was monstrous
that anybody might go and set a mine to work, and the owners of the
materials find themselves called on to pay for that work. Mr. Chilcott
replied that the custom had always been for the working miner to look
only to the resident agent for payment; that the working men never
could know who the real adventurers were, and to call on them to make
the real owners of the materials defendants, would be to deny them
justice, because they can only know who employed them. He said the
petition had been served three months ago, and it was very
extraordinary, if there were any bona fide adventurers, that they had
not been called in court to say so. There was nothing to prove that
fact, and as far as real adventurers went, they might exist only in the
advocate's imagination. The Vice-Warden delivered judgment in the case
on Saturday.
TONKIN v. MANLEY - Mr. CHILCOTT for plaintiff, and Mr. BENNALLACK for
defendant. This was a claim against the Captain of St. Michael
Penkivel mine for wages. Mr. Chilcott said he was obliged to sue on
the equity side of the court, instead of as a small debt, because there
were no adventurers in this mine in the county, and no solvent
adventurers anywhere; the only way therefore of getting anything was to
sue as against the materials. The claim was for GBP5. 7s. 11d., but
there being some set offs put in, the Vice-Warden ultimately gave a
decree for plaintiff for GBP4. 8s. 3d.
Friday, November 7. - LYLE v. SIMMONS - Mr. HOCKIN, for plaintiff,
moved to confirm the Registrar's report, from which there appeared a
balance due of GBP269. 11s. 8d. He stated that terms had been made
with regard to the time of payment. Mr. G. N. SIMMONS consented, and
the report was confirmed.
Saturday, November 8. - ALLEN and OTHERS v. CLYMA - In this case
the Vice-Warden delivered judgment. He said the question raised by the
defence was one of some importance; it was whether the owners of the
machinery of Wheal Tremayne, for whom Mr. Stokes appeared, ought to be
bound by the acts of the defendant, who is not shown to be connected
with any one but a Mr. Dymond, now in London. It was urged in
opposition to the claim, that Dymond being a trespasser on the mine, it
is hard that the adventurers' machinery which they have left for some
time standing, should not only be used by trespassers unknown to the
adventurers, but be sold to pay the wages for the trespass. The answer
is that it would be harder if miners, working on a hiring well known in
this district, and knowing only their hirer, should fail to have their
remedy if they do not know persons at a distance, beyond the
jurisdiction of the Court, and who have not appeared. This hardship,
arising from the ignorance of labourers and mining creditors, is one
reason of this remedy being given on this side of the court. Secondly,
it does appear that Dymond, who employed the defendant, was acting in
this mine four years ago, and the mine having been stopped during
great part of the interval, the Court, in the entire absence of all
evidence, may assume that the manager four years back may continue to
act as he did before; and that one Williams being employed some months,
is not decisive that Dymond's connexion with the mine had ceased. Mr.
Stokes seems to appear for persons not in Court, the alleged
adventurers and owners of the machinery. The process of this court in
proceeding to sale is so cautious and so public, that it seems
impossible that any adventurers can unjustly be deprived of their
property, or even deprived of their opportunity of making a defence in
behalf of that property. The process is well known, and if there are
any adventurers in this mine, they might have added themselves to the
defence, and the process of adding themselves would have shown who they
were, and whether they were connected with Dymond or not. They have
not appeared, and plaintiffs, under the circumstances, may be allowed
to assert that Mr. Stokes's clients do not legally, or perhaps at all
exist, except as represented by Dymond. The decree would be, that the
sum proved, GBP32. 2s., with costs, be paid on or before the 9th of
December next.
SHARE TRANSACTION - CLIFT v. PRYOR - This was a case tried on the
previous Wednesday, when a verdict was given for defendant. Mr.
CHILCOTT, on behalf of plaintiff, now moved for a new trial, on the
ground that the verdict was against the weight of evidence. He said
the contract on which the action was brought, was made by a person
called ROACH; and on the action was brought against the defendant
Pryor, on the ground that Roach was his agent, and that he was
responsible for Roach's conduct. Besides some cases of agency which
perhaps were not very strong, and which took place subsequent to the
contract in question, there was also one important case of agency
proved at the trial, in respect of a share in this same mine, South
Wheal Basset. It was proved, and not attempted to be contradicted,
that some time before the 24th of May, the plaintiff bought a share in
this same mine, from the same person, Roach, defendant's clerk; and
that plaintiff received the transfer of that share with Pryor's
signature. The transfer itself was put in and proved, and the purser
proved that in consequence of that transfer, he, in the cost-book,
transferred that share from Pryor to the plaintiff. It appeared to him
(Mr. Chilcott) that that one case, without referring to any of the
others, was sufficient to establish the fact of the agency of Roach.
It took place only a week or ten days before the contract in question;
the plaintiff agreed with the same person, Roach, for a share in the
same mine, for nearly the same amount (GBP367. 10s. instead of GBP370
or GBP371), and in that case, as in the case in question, Mr. Pryor was
absent from Redruth, being in London. The two cases were therefore
precisely alike, and the position he (Mr. Chilcott) took was, that as
the defendant ratified the contract of the 24th of May, and as in a
subsequent conversation with plaintiff respecting it, Defendant made no
allusion to the contract, as he said nothing whatever to induce
plaintiff to believe that he (defendant) was displeased at his clerk's
contracting for him, - it raises a very strong presumption that the
defendant did not disapprove of it, and that the plaintiff was
authorised in treating with the defendant again through the same agent.
Surely if the defendant disapproved of his agent making the contract,
it was his duty, as an honest man, to have said to the plaintiff "you
have dealt with my clerk in this contract; I will ratify this, but I
disapprove of his habit of doing this, and I give you warning not to
deal with him in this manner again." In the absence of anything of
that kind, he submitted that plaintiff was justified in making another
contract in the same way. The case was like that of a master sending
his servant to buy food at a shop. If a man sends his servant to a
shop, and the servant gets goods without paying for them, and the
master subsequently pays for them, that is a complete justification for
that shopkeeper again supplying the same servant, and looking to the
master again for payment. The principle on which such cases rest was
so well known, that he need not trouble the court with citing cases.
On that principle it appeared to him that the one case of agency proved
by the plaintiff, justified him in supposing that defendant approved of
his clerk contracting for him, and that therefore defendant must, in
the present case, be bound by Roach's contract. Having laid the strong
foundation of that one case, there were several others brought out on
the trial, not so strong, but still corroborative, and they appeared to
him of such weight that the jury ought to have given the verdict in the
plaintiff's favour. On these grounds he asked for a rule calling on
defendant to show cause why there should not be a new trial.
The Vice-Warden - I must say that I think the case was most studiously
left by me to the jury; perhaps there was more labour given than there
need to have been, in order that they might see the different bearings
of the case, and the different facts proved; and I think that the jury
seemed, as far as I could perceive, to pay attention, not only to what
I said, but also to the evidence; and that the time they were absent
gives a presumption that they paid attention and thought of the
different points themselves. And I do not remember a case where the
question was more for the opinion of the jury, because everything was
fact. The law was exceedingly simple, - that the principal is
answerable for the acts of his agent; do the facts show that Roach was
the agent, or do they show that the plaintiff might reasonably have
believed that he was, and did he believe it? There was doubtless
evidence for the plaintiff, and if the jury had found that the
plaintiff reasonably did believe that Roach was acting for the
defendant as agent, and had found a verdict for the plaintiff, and
there had been a similar application to this made on behalf of the
defendant, as far as I can venture to speculate, I should have refused
the rule for the same reasons as now, namely that it was a case most
decidedly for the jury, I think it was sufficiently explained to the
jury, and I think the jury discreetly and advisedly weighed the
evidence; and the evidence for the plaintiff, though it was evidence,
was so slight, and there were so many considerations on the other side
to be made, that though, if they had inclined to that evidence and
found a verdict for the plaintiff, I should not have said they had
given a wrong verdict; yet as they do not incline to it, but find for
the defendant, - on the same grounds, the conflict and almost
equilibrium of evidence fully justifies them, so that I cannot say the
trial has been improvidently brought to a conclusion. Nor can I at all
say that the weight of evidence is so preponderating as to enable the
sending the case to another jury.
It is also to be considered that this business is a very narrow one;
though they seem to change about shares a great deal in Redruth, it is
not like a great brokerage business in Liverpool or London; in this
case the business, in a small country town, is confined to five or six
persons. He thought therefore, the case was one which was properly
tried, and he could not say that he was discontented with the verdict,
there having been evidence for both sides to be considered, and the
case so completely for the jury. If he were to grant a new trial, he
should be expressing doubt where he had none, and in effect be saying
that in every case attracting attention or of importance to the
parties, there should be a new trial. He therefore refused the rule,
because he thought the verdict was not against the preponderating
weight of evidence. After this decision, the Vice-Warden again
referring to it, mentioned the case of a servant obtaining provisions
on behalf of his master, which case he had stated in his summing up to
the jury. From the abstract of that case which he had perused, it
appeared there was only one instance in which the servant had procured
provisions for the consumption of the house, on credit, which his
master ratified, and then the second instance with the same tradesman
was held to be binding on the master for payment. Still, although one
instance might be enough, if the jury considered it so, yet there may
be great differences between the case of a broker and mine agent, and
that of a servant obtaining provisions for a family.
RICHARDS v. CLEAVE and OTHERS - In this case there had been an
account taken between the parties, before the Registrar, and on the
motion of Mr. G. N. SIMMONS, the Registrar's report was confirmed. An
application by Mr. Simmons was also granted, that those parties in the
suit who were found by the Registrar to have paid less than their
proportion, should pay what is due from them; and that those who have
paid more, should receive what is due to them. Mr. Simmons also moved
for the costs in the case, which the Vice-Warden reserved for
consideration.
Tuesday, November 11. MINERS IMPRISONED - Mr. BENNALLACK moved the
court to discharge ALLEN and TRELEASE, two tributers who were then in
Bodmin gaol under an attachment for non-payment of costs in a suit they
brought against Captain MORCOM, the agent of Wheal Golden. Mr.
CHILCOTT, on behalf of the adventurers, consented to their being
discharged. The adventurers had not received payment of the costs, nor
had they expected to get any thing, as they did not suppose the men
could pay the amount. Their object had been, for the sake of the
public, to make an example of these men, who had behaved very ill, and
deserved punishment. The men had been in prison a month, and the
adventurers thinking they had had punishment enough, were now willing
to consent to their discharge. The Vice-Warden said the defence
against the suit brought by these two men was that their conduct had
been such as to disentitle them to anything they might otherwise have a
claim to. There was a decree against them, and they were attached for
non-payment of the costs of the suit. He recollected at the time cause
was shown against the attachment, saying that in such a case he could
not suggest to the adventurers that they should have any regard to the
poverty of the plaintiffs, because the case was not that of a mere
claim of a debt which it was proved did not exist, either from payment,
or set-off, or the work done not being so much as the plaintiffs
supposed; but the defence was that the conduct of the plaintiffs had
disentitled them, in other words that they had been fraudulent towards
their employers; and as he (the Vice-Warden) knew that adventurers have
a severe struggle to sustain, in order to be able to turn mining
speculations to profitable investments, he never would be a party to
any countenance that should be afforded to persons who had behaved as
Allen and Trelease. Mr. Chilcott had said the adventurers did not
expect to obtain the costs of the suit, but they wished to show that
persons who work in mines must take care not to come into this court,
and endeavour to make use of the court as the means of recovering what
they may think is their due for wages, when at the same time the
adventurers may show that their conduct has been most unjustly
fraudulent, and that wages cannot be obtained by them. If the
adventurers choose that these persons be dismissed, it was not for the
court to consider any longer what was called contempt of court for
non-payment; they may therefore be discharged as soon as the proper
documents are submitted to the Governor of the Bodmin gaol.
ROBINS and OTHERS v. BARRETT - Roche Rock Mine. In these
consolidated cases, which were creditor's petitions, Mr. STOKES moved
that the Registrar's final report be confirmed. The machinery, &c.,
had realised the gross amount of GBP861. 16s. 10 1/2 d., and after
paying the cost of the suit, the accountant's costs, and all other
expenses, the sum divided amongst the creditors was GBP739. 4s. 3 1/2
d., giving a dividend of 16s. in the pound. The Vice-Warden said it
thus appeared there had been six equity suits, the costs of the sale of
machinery including auctioneer's costs, the advertisements, the
expenses of a long possession, &c., all of which had amounted to about
GBP122. This would show something of the working expenses of the
court. He then directed that the Registrar's report be confirmed.
TILLY v. BROOKS - West United Hills. - Mr. CHILCOTT (for Mr.
HOCKIN) moved in this case - a purser's petition - for the sale of
defendant's shares. In September last there was a decree for payment
for GBP101. 5s. within twenty days, and no payment had been made, after
a copy of the decree had been affixed to the principal shaft of the
mine, and also addressed to defendant, Rev. J. HEATHCOTT BROOKS, of
Chipping Norton. The Vice Warden granted the decree of sale.
COLLIVER v. HALLET and ANOTHER, and COLLIVER v. HALLET and OTHERS. -
West Polgooth - Mr. STOKES stated that it had been arranged these two
equity suits should be heard at the next sittings. He was ready, on
behalf of the defendants, to consent to their being placed in the same
situation as if they had been tried at the present sittings. Mr.
CHILCOTT, for plaintiff, assented. It is therefore understood, that if
a decree for sale is granted at the next Court, it shall be issued with
immediate effect.
RICHARDS v. CLEAVE and OTHERS. - Plaintiff, through Mr. G. N.
SIMMONS, had asked for costs in this case. The Vice Warden said he
must further consider the question of costs of the several parties, and
would send his opinion to the Registrar.
ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CORNWALL - The annual meeting of this
Institution was held in the Museum, Truro, on Friday last. There were
laid on the table a variety of specimens in Ornithology and Mineralogy,
preserved fish specimens, Zoophytes, ancient coins and tokens,
impressions of ancient seals, &c. The latter included impressions in
gutta percha of the seals of St. Stephen's Prior, Launceston, and of
the town of Launceston, presented by Mr. PICKTHALL, of Plymouth. These
seals he obtained of Mr. SPENCE who discovered them in an old chest at
Launceston; the Prior of St. Stephen's sea, he says, has never been
described in any work.
BAGDAD - The accounts from Bagdad announce that the cholera is raging
there in a dreadful manner. These accounts come down to September
23rd, and at that date 100 persons were carried off, on an average, per
day. During the first attack of the malady scarcely any person seized
with it escaped, and in one day out of forty-two soldiers taken to the
hospital forty died. On September the 22nd not less than 150 deaths
were ascertained to have taken place, and all business was suspended.
The European colony, which, however, is not very numerous, had only
last three of its members.
CORNWALL COUNTY COURTS - TRURO - At this Court, on Friday last,
forty-five cases were entered for trial including four adjourned from
the previous sittings. The following trial occupied the Court some
hours, and involved the contradictions of evidence usual in such
cases:- KNIGHT v. CARDELL - Plaintiff, for whom Mr. STOKES appeared,
lives in Truro, and defendant represented by Mr. HOCKIN, is a farmer of
St. Columb Major. The action was brought on a warranty given on the
sale of a mare to plaintiff by defendant, the warranty being that she
was sound and free from vice, and quiet in harness. Plaintiff was
called, and deposed to the terms of the warranty, and that he gave
GBP10 for the mare. The Monday after the purchase he put her in
harness and found that she very speedily began to kick and rear. Being
desirous of keeping her if he could possibly make her useful, he put
her in the hands of DENNIS DART, a horse-breaker, to give her a fair
trial; but she continued rearing and kicking whenever placed in
harness, and at last finding it quite impracticable to drive her, he
went with her to Newquay to return her to the seller. He saw there
young Mr. CARDELL, and tendered the mare; but he refused to take her,
and then offered to try her himself in harness; it was however so dark
at night as to be impracticable to make the trial. In consequence of
this refusal, plaintiff caused the mare to be sold in the High Cross at
Truro; she sold for five guineas, and there being other expenses, his
loss amounted to GBP7. 14s., which he now claimed to recover from the
defendant. WILLIAM SNELL said he was present when the mare was sold to
plaintiff; the warranty was that she was free from vice, and would go
in harness. Dennis Dart, horse-breaker, proved that at the request of
plaintiff he tried the mare in harness, and proved her to be both a
jibber and kicker. JOHN PEARSE was employed by plaintiff to take care
of the mare after he purchased her. Everything was done on his part to
keep her in good condition, but she took her food badly. He saw her
tried in harness by both plaintiff and Dart, and on both occasions she
jibbed and kicked. This was the plaintiff's case. For defendant, Mr.
HOCKIN called JOHN COTTON, a farmer of Newquay, who said he broke in
the mare in January last, and kept her in May; she worked in traces and
chains, and did not exhibit any vice, though she might sometimes have
kicked, and did sometimes rear in harness. The mare was very
high-spirited, the most so he had ever seen; he had never tried her in
a carriage or cart, or with breeching on.- DELBRIDGE, ostler at
Newquay, said he saw the mare when Knight came to return her to
Cardell, who offered to try her in a cart. He did not hear what
Knight's reply was, but when Cardell's offer was made to try her, it
was between eight and nine at night. He saw the mare kick in the
stable, but thought Knight tickled her. A blacksmith at Newquay,
called HAWKE, said he had been in the habit of shoeing the mare, and
did not consider her vicious. A person named FLAMANK said he saw
Knight tickle the mare on his right hand at Newquay, whilst Cardell was
looking at her, and that she bit at Knight. Mr. TEMPLE, of Truro,
stated that after the sale by auction at Truro, he bought the mare of
her purchaser, Mr. JONES, giving another mare in exchange for her, with
GBP2. 10s. besides. He was pleased with the appearance of the mare,
but never tried her in harness; and unfortunately, the very night after
he purchased her, she hung herself in the stable and broke her neck.
HENRY CARDELL, grandson of defendant, stated that he had had the mare
some months and drove her to Newquay, and from Newquay to Truro on the
day she was sold to Knight. She did not then kick, and he considered
her not to be vicious, and having no inclination to rear or kick, but
quiet in harness. He offered to try her in harness when Knight brought
her back, but he said it was too dark, and he had had already a
sufficient trial of her. This witness, however admitted that the mare
had never before been in harness while he had her, except on the day he
drove her to Truro. JOHN CARDELL, the defendant, stated to the same
effect as the last witness, and said he considered the mare of a quite
disposition. RICHARD CLIFT, of Truro, said he saw Dart on the day he
tried the mare in harness; Dart said if he had the management of her,
he thought he could make her draw. The Judge without calling on Mr.
stokes to reply to the evidence, said he considered the warranty
clearly made out, and that defendant's first witness, Mr. Cotton, had
in fact confirmed the statement of plaintiff's witnesses as to the
disposition of the mare, and her unfitness for harness. He therefore
gave judgment for plaintiff for the sum claimed.
HELSTON - At this court, on Monday last, the only case exciting
interest and involving legal points, was the following:- NICHOLLS v.
BISHOP and ANOTHER. This was an action of replevin, Mr. T. ROGERS and
Mr. PLOMER appearing for the plaintiff, and Mr. HILL and Mr. STOKES for
the defendants. The action was brought to recover damages for a
distress alleged to have been illegally made by the defendants, who
were the executors of the owners of an estate called Boden Vean, in the
parish of St. Anthony in Meneage. The distress was for three quarters
of a year's rent due at Midsummer last, at the rate of GBP63 per annum.
It appeared that a Mr. ROBERT NICHOLLS had granted a lease for a term
of years determinable on lives, to Mr. JOHN ROSKRUGE; that Nicholls had
died, leaving the present defendants his executors, and that the
defendants had treated the occupiers of the premised (the present
plaintiff) as tenant, and at whose instance the original rent had been
reduced from GBP72. 10s. to GBP63, by valuers who were duly appointed
pursuant to a clause in the lease, which was to the following effect:-
That if at any time after the decease of the original lessee the rent
should be found too much, then the lessor, on notice from the lessee,
agreed that each party should choose a disinterested person who should
fix a fair and just rent. In the year 1849, such arbitration was
effected at the instance of the lessee, and the rent reduced as above
stated; and it appeared that the lessee in a subsequent year also gave
notice requiring a similar reference; but the defendants did not act on
behalf of the lessor in appointing another referee, and no legal
reference was then effected, the defendants alleging that their reason
for not going into the second reference was that the rent of the first
year had not been paid, and that the estate had been mismanaged. The
valuation which had been made in the first instance, was only for one
year. The taking of the goods under the present distress was admitted;
also the tenancy and the lease, and the valuation by which the rent had
been reduced from GBP72. 10s. to GBP63, were admitted. In consequence
of the form of this action, defendants commenced the proceedings, it
being contended on their behalf, that the full amount for which they
had levied was due, but that if they succeeded in proving that any
amount whatever was due, the verdict must be in their favour. After
addressing the jury, on the part of defendants, one of the valuers was
called, who proved that the rent of GBP63, which was fixed for the year
ending Michaelmas, 1850, would also be a fair rent for the year ending
Michaelmas, 1851. One of the defendants, Mr. BISHOP, was examined on
several facts, and Mr. Rogers then addressed the jury for the
plaintiff, submitting that under the circumstances defendants had no
right to distrain, because there could not be said to be any fixed
rent, as the rent the valuer had fixed for 1850 was only for one year,
and there ought therefore, in his opinion, to have been a second
valuation to fix another rent before any distress could be levied. He
cited several authorities on this point, and further contended that the
distress was illegal, on the ground that the notice of distress was
addressed to the present plaintiff as a tenant, when in fact Roskruge
was the tenant. At this stage of the proceedings, it was submitted by
Mr. Hill and Mr. Stokes that the facts had been sufficiently elicited
to raise the two points of law, namely, whether in consequence of the
valuation of 1850 there ought to have been another valuation to fix the
rent; and whether the distress was illegal on the notice being given to
the occupier instead of to the tenant. After Mr. Rogers and Mr. Plomer
had been heard in reply, it was agreed that a verdict should be given
by the jury for the defendants, with leave to the plaintiff to move
upon the points of law which had been raised on his behalf; and if the
court held those points to be valid, then their verdict would be
entered for the plaintiff for GBP2. 10s. damages.
DEATH FROM CHLOROFORM - To the Editor of the West Briton. Sir, - I
have anxiously watched your last three numbers in the hope of seeing
the report of a coroner's inquest held at Bodmin, on the 18th ult., on
the body of a pauper, who met his death while undergoing the operation
of amputation in the Union Workhouse, under the influence of
chloroform. The facts are as follows:- The poor man, about 64 years
of age, (belonging, I believe, to the parish of Lanivet) had been
suffering from disease of the ancle joint, and was sent into the House
for medical treatment. Eventually, on consultation, amputation was
deemed necessary, and on the forenoon of Saturday the 18th ultimo,
Messrs. WARD, TYERMAN (of the Lunatic Asylum), and NICHOLAS, attended,
and having rendered the patient insensible by the administration of
chloroform, Mr. Ward skilfully took off the limb above the knee, by the
so-called flap operation. But unfortunately, while the assistants were
securing the arteries, the patient sighed heavily and expired. I
understand an inquest was held the same day, but not having seen any
report thereof, I am ignorant of the verdict returned. I am, Sir, Your
obedient servant. A SUBSCRIBER. East Cornwall, November 8, 1851.
21 NOVEMBER 1851, Friday
THE MAN-ENGINE AT FOWEY CONSOLS - We understand that the man-engine
working in this mine answers fully every expectation, and that the
improved health of the miners is already visible. There is no doubt
that the lords, adventurers, and miners, will all reap the benefit of
this, and that the lives of the latter will be prolonged by years.
Several of the nobility and gentry, and also foreigners have inspected
the machine, and tested its safe and easy ascent and descent by going
to the bottom, a perpendicular depth of about 1,700 from the surface.
Lord VIVIAN, Captain VIVIAN, and Mr. KENDALL, accompanied by CAPTAIN
PUCKEY, who with Mr. West was one of the projectors, very recently
descended the whole depth of the machine, and from thence into the
interior of the mine, twenty fathoms deeper than the machine can be
applied; and on their return to the level of the machine they partook
of some cold brandy and water, the water being conveyed through pipes
to that level, with taps at some of the levels above, for the miners'
convenience and refreshment, which is considered an additional comfort.
Mr. Kendall, our correspondent adds, often goes down into the mine and
takes a lively interest, not only as one of the lords, but in the
welfare of the mine generally, and is very often known to bestow his
charity to the miner who has made any sort of discovery, as well in any
other lord's land as his own. Lord Vivian and Captain Vivian, on the
occasion of their visit, did not forget to be generous towards the
miner. They left something handsome with Captain Puckey for the men,
and expressed themselves highly pleased with the machine, and gratified
with what they had seen; they took with them some specimens of yellow
copper ore, which they broke 1,800 feet below the surface. Captain
Puckey announced to the miners on Saturday last, when they were
assembled before the counting house for the setting, that he had a
present left by Lord VIVIAN and his brother for them, and asked them
how they would like to have it? Their reply was with one voice, (and
full five hundred were present), give it to the distressed families who
have suffered so much from their children having the scarlet fever, &c.
This is certainly a praiseworthy act, and highly creditable.
MARY KELYNACK - This Cornish octogenarian, who walked to Lond on to
see the Crystal Palace, and was so kindly received by the Lord Mayor
and Lady Mayoress, has returned home after an absence of two months,
with her pockets well lined through the benevolence of the Londoners.
We understand that on the route homewards she received much kindness.
Mr. PROCKTER, of Launceston, sent a letter to the aged woman whilst she
was in the metropolis, inviting her, on her return, to take a seat
inside the "Times" coach from Exeter to Truro, free of any charge, of
which favourable opportunity she availed herself on Thursday week. She
was also hospitably entertained on her journey by Messrs. PRATT, of
Exeter, Prockter, of Launceston, and LENDERYOU, of Truro, at whose
hotel she slept on Thursday night. Her appearance at Launceston
excited considerable curiosity, and the Mayor, with a number of ladies
and gentlemen visited her at the White hart Hotel, where they presented
her with money and other useful gifts.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY - Mr. H. M. JEFFERY, of Stythians, who in 1849,
was sixth, i.e. the highest wrangler, except Dr. PHILLPOTT, who has
graduated at St. Catherine's Hall for upwards of forty years, and was
also a second class classic, has recently passed the Senate House
examination in theology.
THE CUSTOMS - Mr. WEARNE, collector of customs at Penzance, has been
appointed collector at Douglas, Isle of Man, and will be succeeded at
Penzance by Mr. BERESFORD, collector, from Newport.
DEATH OF MAJOR JOHNS - This officer's decease took place on the 6th
instant, and on the 11th he was interred with military honours at St.
George's Church, Stonehouse. The deceased was Major in the Royal
Marines, and a native of Helston, in this county. He entered the
service as second lieutenant in 1825, became first lieutenant in 1834,
captain in 1843, and was promoted to the rank of brevet major in honour
of the Queen's visit to Cork in 1849. He was 46 years of age and has
left a widow and five children, the eldest of whom is a second
lieutenant of the Plymouth division of Royal marines.
TESTIMONIAL OF RESPECT - On Saturday evening last, the agents and
sub-contractors in the employ of Messrs. RITSON and CO., on the West
Cornwall Railway, assembled at the Royal Standard, Hayle, for the
purpose of testifying their esteem for Mr. JOSEPH RITSON, one of the
agents of the above firm. The company, amounting to upwards of forty,
partook of an excellent supper, which was served up by the host, Mr.
JOHN FLOYD. After the usual loyal toasts had been proposed and
responded to, Mr. Ritson was presented with a splendid gold watch and
appendages. The evening was spent in a most agreeable manner, and the
greatest unanimity and good feeling prevailed.
TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, MARY ANN WILLIAMS and ELIZA ROWE, of
Truro, were charged with breaking two panes of glass, the property of
the Devon and Cornwall Banking Company. Mary Ann Williams, in default
of payment for the damage, was committed for one month to hard labour,
and Eliza Rowe, for aiding and abetting Williams, was committed for
three weeks.
On Thursday, ELIZABETH THOMAS and MARY ANN THOMAS of Redruth were
charged with being drunk and disorderly, and using obscene language in
the streets. The former was committed for three months, and the latter
for two months, hard labour.
COMMITTALS - On Friday last at St. Austell, THOMAS and JOHN BRIERLY,
(father and son) were committed for twenty-one days, by Sir J. S. G.
SAWLE, Bart., for tearing up their Union dress; and on Wednesday last,
JAMES GRAHAM was committed by Mr. E. COODE, jun., for fourteen days,
for refusing to work at the Union.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT - On Thursday the 13th instant, as a little girl
named BISHOP was amusing herself by putting straws into a thrashing
machine, situate at the back of Mr. DAWE's Flour Mills, at Lower Town,
near Helston, her arm got entangled in the machine, and was torn off
just below the elbow. Medical assistance was promptly obtains, and
amputation above the elbow joint being necessary it was performed by
Messrs. BORLASE and ROSKRUGE, and the child is doing well. Not many
minutes before the accident Mr. Dawe had sent her out of the building,
but she had returned unobserved.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquest has been held before Mr.
JOHN CARLYON, county coroner;- On Monday last, at Carnkie, in the
parish of Illogan, on the body of JOHN ELLIS, aged 12 years. From the
evidence of JOHN MILL, a boy about the same age as deceased, it
appeared that on last Sunday afternoon witness called for him to go to
school; and, in their way thither they agreed to go down the new shaft
at North Wheal Basset mine, which was a little in from the road. They
both went down to the bottom of the first ladder. In their way up
again, the deceased stepped from the latter on a bob which was in
connection with some flat rods; and which, on taking stoke, carried him
up under a piece of plant and crushed him to death. On the return of
the bob, witness saw him fall to the sollar below, and he immediately
ran to the deceased's parents to tell them of what had happened.
Before they arrived, the deceased had been taken up by the engine-man,
who carried him home. Verdict "accidental death.
The following inquests have been held before Mr. HAMLEY, county
coroner:- On the 15th instant, on JOHN ANGWIN, a miner, aged 26, who
was killed in the following manner, in the Duke of Cornwall copper
mine, in St. Winnow. Deceased and his comrade were coming to grass
from the bottom of the shaft, and instead of coming up by the ladders
they got into the kibble. They had ascended about twelve fathoms when
they met the other kibble coming down. Deceased who had a candle in
his hat, held his head a little on one side to let the kibble pass, but
by some means it struck his head, and he fell out. A miner, who was
working at the bottom of the shaft, heard something fall close by him,
which knocked out his candle. He thought at first it was a piece of
timber, but on getting a light, he found it was Angwin, and on raising
him up, found he was dead. It appeared by the evidence of the captains
of the mine that they had been cautioned not to come up in the kibbles.
The young man was a native of St. Agnes, and was much respected.
Verdict "accidental death".
On the 17th instant, at St. Dominic on JOHN CLATWORTHY, aged 60. As he
was walking from Callington he dropped down in the road; he was picked
up and carried home in a cart, but died soon afterwards. Verdict,
"visitation of God."
The following inquests have been held before Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY, deputy
county coroner:- On Tuesday last, in the parish of St. Stephens by
Launceston, on view of the body of SARAH STAPLETON, a little girl four
months old, who was found dead in bed, on Sunday morning. The mother
stated that she arose about half-past seven o'clock on that day,
leaving the child asleep in bed; the child had been delicate from her
birth, and as she had been restless all the night, she, (the mother)
let it remain in bed, went up stairs three or four times during the
evening, to see the child, and found her still asleep; but, about
twelve o'clock, on going up stairs, and removing the bed clothes, she
found the child dead. Verdict, "natural causes."
On Wednesday last, in the parish of St. Breock, on the body of JAMES
ROWE, a little boy 4 years old. It appeared that the father, mother,
and three children landed at Liverpool, last Monday week, from America.
Deceased took a violent cold on the Thursday previous, which produced
diarrhoea. The surgeon of the vessel gave him some medicine, finding
the child still continue unwell, the father went to a surgeon at
Liverpool who also attended the child. They arrived at Exeter on
Saturday, and left that place by the "Times" coach on Monday morning.
The child was taken inside the coach by the mother, whilst the father
and other children travelled outside. The child did not appear much
worse on leaving Exeter, but on arriving about two miles from
Okehampton he died in his mother's arms. The mother brought the child
in her arms to Bodmin, and said nothing about his being dead. On
arriving at Bodmin, they hired a van to take them to the house of the
mother's father, who lived about four miles off, and on the road they
told the driver of the van that the child was dead. The mother stated
that she did not say anything about it, fearing she should not be
allowed to take her child home to her father's; she also stated that
she told two ladies, who were inside passengers in the coach, and who
got out at Launceston, that the child was dead, and shewed the child to
them immediately after it died. The jury, believing that the mother
had paid the child every care and attention, and the reason she
assigned for not mentioning the fact of the child being dead at
Launceston and Bodmin, that they had scarcely sufficient money to bring
them home, immediately returned a verdict that the child "died by the
visitation of God."
28 NOVEMBER 1851, Friday
THE WHALE AND THE WHALERS - (From the New Bedford (U.S.) Mercury.) -
We have just received the following thrilling account of the
destruction of the whale ship "Ann Alexander." Captain JOHN S.
DEBLOIS, of New Bedford, by a large sperm whale, from the lips of the
captain himself, who arrived in this city from Paita on Sunday last, in
the schooner "Providence." It is one of the most remarkable events on
record, and will be read with interest, throughout the whole commercial
and civilized world where it may be made known. A similar circumstance
has never yet been known to occur but once in the whole history of
whale fishing, and that was the destruction of the ship "Essex," some
twenty or twenty-five years ago, and which many of our readers full
remember. The narrative is furnished us by Captain DEBLOIS, and is
fully authenticated by nine of the crew in a protest, under the seal of
the United States' Consul, ALEXANDER RUNEN, junior, at Paita. The ship
"Ann Alexander," Captain JOHN S. DEBLOIS, sailed from New Bedford,
Massachussetts, June 1, 1850, for a cruise in the South Pacific for
sperm whale. Having taken about five hundred barrels of oil in the
Atlantic, the ship proceeded on her voyage to the Pacific.
On the 20th of August last, she reached what is well known as the
"Off-Shore Ground," in lat. 5 deg. 50 south long. 102 deg. West. In
the morning of that day, at about nine o'clock, whales were discovered
in the neighbourhood, and about noon the same day they succeeded in
making fast to one. Two boats had gone after the whales - the larboard
and the starboard, the former commanded by the first mate, and the
latter by Captain Deblois. The whale which they had struck was
harpooned by the larboard boat. After running some time, the whale
turned upon the boat, and rushing at it with tremendous violence,
lifted open its enormous jaws, and taking the boat in, actually crushed
it into fragments as small as a common sized chair. Captain Deblois
immediately struck for the scene of the disaster with the starboard
boat, and succeeded against all expectation in rescuing the whole of
the crew of the demolished boat, nine in number. How they escaped from
instant death when the whale rushed upon them with such violence and
seized their boat in its ponderous jaws is a mystery known only to "Him
who holds the waves as in the hollow of His hands." There were now
eighteen men in the starboard boat, consisting of the captain, the
first mate, and the crews of both boats. The frightful disaster had
been witnessed from the ship, and the waist-boat was called into
readiness and sent to their relief. The distance from the ship was
about six miles. As soon as the waist-boat arrived the crews were
divided, and it was determined to pursue the same whale and make
another attack upon him. Accordingly they separated, and proceeded at
some distance from each other, as is usual on such o(c)casions, after
the whale. In a short time, they came up to him and prepared to give
him battle. The waist-boat, commanded by the first mate, was in
advance. As soon as the whale perceived the demonstration being made
upon him, he turned his course suddenly, and, making a tremendous dash
at this boat, seized it with his wide-spread jaws, and crushed it into
atoms, allowing the men barely time to escape his vengeance by throwing
themselves into the ocean. Captain Deblois, again seeing the perilous
condition of his men, at the risk of meeting the same fate, directed
his boat to hasten to their rescue, and in a short time succeeded in
saving them all from a death little less horrible that that from which
they had twice so miraculously escaped. He then order the boat to put
for the ship as speedily as possible; and, no sooner had the order been
given, than they discovered the monster of the deep making towards them
with his jaws widely extended. Escape from death now seemed totally
out of the question. They were six or seven miles from the ship; no
aid even there to afford them necessary relief, and the whale, maddened
by the wounds of the harpoon and lances which had been thrown into him,
and seemingly gloating with the prospect of speedy revenge, within a
few cables' length. Fortunately, the monster came up and passed them
at a short distance. The boat then made her way to the ship and they
all got on board in safety.
After reaching the ship, a boat was dispatched for the oars of the
demolished boats, and it was determined to pursue the whale with the
ship. As soon as the boat returned with the oars, sail was set, and
the ship proceeded after the whale. In a short time she over took him,
and a lance was thrown into his head. The ship passed on by him, and
immediately after they discovered that the whale was making for the
ship. As he came up near her they hauled on the wind and suffered the
monster to pass her. After he had fairly passed they kept off to
overtake and attack him again. When the ship had reached within about
fifty rods of him they discovered that the whale had settled down deep
below the surface of the water, and as it was near sundown they
concluded to give up the pursuit. Captain Deblois was at this time
standing in the nigh-heads on the larboard bow, with craft in hand
ready to strike the monster a deadly blow should he appear, the ship
moving about five knots, when working on the side of the ship he
discovered the whale rushing towards her at the rate of fifteen knots.
In an instant the monster struck the ship with tremendous violence,
shaking her from stem to stern. She quivered under the violence of the
shock as if she had struck upon a rock. Captain Deblois immediately
descended into the forecastle, and there, to his horror, discovered
that the monster had struck, to his horror, discovered that the monster
had struck the ship about two feet from the keel, abreast the foremast,
knocking a great hole entirely through her bottom, through which the
water roared and rushed in impetuously. Springing to the deck, he
order the mate to cut away the anchors and get the cables overboard to
keep the ship from sinking, as she had a large quantity of pig-iron on
board. In doing this, the mate succeeded in relieving only one anchor
and cable clear, the other having been fastened around the foremast.
The ship was then sinking very rapidly. The captain went into the
cabin, where he found three feet of water; he, however, succeeded in
procuring a chronometer, sextant, and chart. Reaching the decks he
ordered the boats to be cleared away, and to get water and provisions,
as the ship was heeling over. He again descended to the cabin, but the
water was rushing in so rapidly that he could procure nothing. He then
came upon deck, ordered all hands into the boats, and was the last
himself to leave the ship, which he did by throwing himself into the
sea and swimming into the nearest boat. The ship was on her beam ends,
her topgallant-yards were under water. They then pushed off some
distance from the ship, expecting her to sink in a very short time.
Upon an examination of the stores they had been able to save, he
discovered that they had only twelve quarts of water, and not a
mouthful of provisions of any kind. The boats contained eleven men
each, were leaky, and, night coming on, they were obliged to bale them
all night to keep them from sinking.
Next day, at daylight, they returned to the ship, no one daring to
venture on board but the captain, their intention being to cut away the
masts, and fearful that the moment the masts were cut away the ship
would go down. With a single hatchet the captain went on board, and
cut away the mast, when the ship righted. The boats then came up and
the men, by the sole aid of spades, cut away the chain cable from
around the foremast, which got the ship nearly on her keel. The men
then tied ropes round their bodies, got into the sea, and cut holes
through the decks to get out provisions. They could procure nothing
but about five gallons of vinegar and 20lbs. of wet bread. The ship
threatened to sink, and they deemed it imprudent to remain by her
longer, so they set sail on their boats, and left her. They were then
in a dreadful state of anxiety, knowing that in a very few days, unless
a kind Providence should direct them to fall in with some ship, they
must all die by starvation and thirst, or that, to sustain life, they
would be obliged to eat each other's bodies as soon as life had
departed! However, as long as they had strength, they knew it was
their duty to wait and watch patiently, and trust to that good Being
who had twice so signally saved them from the jaws of the monster of
the deep the day previous. Their only hope was in trying to reach a
rainy latitude, that, from the rains that might fall, they might
sustain life. With this hope they directed their course northerly and
on the 22nd of August, at about five o'clock p.m., they had the
indescribable joy of discerning a ship in the distance. They made a
signal, and were soon answered, and in a short time they were reached
by the good ship "Nantucket," of Nantucket, Massachussetts, Captain
GIBBS, who took them all on board, clothed and fed them, and extended
to them in every way the greatest possible hospitality.
On the succeeding day Captain Gibbs sent to the wreck of the ill-fated
"Ann Alexander," for the purpose of trying to procure something from
her, but as the sea was rough, and the attempt considered dangerous, he
abandoned the project. The "Nantucket" then set sail for Paita, where
she arrived on the 15th of September, and where she landed Captain
Deblois and his men. Captain Deblois was kindly and hospitably
received and entertained at Paita by Captain BATHURST, an English
gentleman residing there, and subsequently took passage on board the
schooner "Providence," Captain STARBUCK, for this port, arriving her on
Sunday last, the 12th instant.
THE AUSTRALIAN CALIFORNIA - The Indian mail has extended to a
somewhat later date the accounts from the Bathurst gold region; the
papers reach to the middle of August. The most remarkable facts are
the peaceable and orderly behaviour of the miners, the discovery of
gold in divers new regions, and the upturning in the Turon diggings of
a larger mass of ore than had previously been discovered in the world.
A lump of auriferous quartz which weighed nearly three hundredweight,
and when crushed by the tomahawk yielded gold weighing 102 pounds 9
ounces 5 pennyweights, had been discovered by a Mr. SUTTOR, and was
valued to him at about four thousand pounds sterling.
THE AUSTRALIAN OPHIR - We copied some time since from the Examiner, a
reference to the fact that the existence of gold in Australia was "most
clearly and distinctly enunciated in 1846, in a paper contained in the
Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall," by Sir
RODERICK MURCHISON. A writer in last week's Examiner states as
follows:- "the following letter in the Athenaeum, for January 23, 1847,
will show that Sir Roderick was not alone in his opinions, and that the
priority of announcement belongs to one who, while pursuing the duties
of an arduous profession, steals a few moments now and then for the
study of the wondrous works of God:- 'St. Agnes, Cornwall, January 18,
1847. - Metals in Australia. In your number for November 21st, I see
that at a meeting of the Geographical Society, held November 9th, an
extract of a letter from Colonel HELMERSEN was read. He observes that
the remarkable similarity between the Australian mountains and the
Urals, leaves no doubt on his mind that auriferous and platiniferous
sands will be found in the former as they exist in the latter, and
strongly recommends researches, with a view to their discovery. I beg
to state that in a letter to the late Secretary of the Colonies, dated,
June 18, 1846, I called his attention to the existence of the metals,
more particularly of gold and silver, as indicated by the geological
formation of the country. My views have since been in some measure
borne out by the discovery of gold in South Australia, though I look to
the more northern part of that continent as their most productive
locale. Mr. Gladstone's reply was that he had no reason to supposed
that her Majesty's Government contemplated making any such researches
at present. HENRY WHITWORTH, M.D.' - Colonel Helmersen's suggestions
were made to the Geographical Society, November 9th, 1846. Sir
Roderick Murchison refers to these suggestions in his letter to Sir
CHARLES LEMON, embodied in the transactions of the Royal Geographical
Society of Cornwall for that year; but on June 18th of the same year,
nearly five months prior to Colonel Helmersen's suggestions, Dr.
Whitworth had made similar communications to Government. I have no
wish to detract from the merits of any one, but my motto is, "Truth
against the world." - Believe me, Sir, yours respectfully, [.....?].
-If my name was necessary, it should be given; but a reference to the
Athenaeum, November 9, 1846, January 23, 1847, and the Transactions of
the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall for the year 1846' will at
once determine the correctness of my statements.
TRURO MADRIGAL SOCIETY - The annual meeting of this society was held
at Pearce's Royal Hotel on Monday last, when Mr. CHILCOTT was
unanimously re-elected President; Mr. HOBLYN was elected Vice
President, and Mr. H. P. FERRIS hon. secretary. The dinner on this
occasion was a most elegant repast, served in the first style, and the
evening was spent in the utmost enjoyment. The society determined on
giving another public concert in the spring of the year.
TESTIMONIAL TO Mr. JOSEPH RITSON - We briefly noticed last week the
presentation of a gold watch and appendages to Mr. Joseph Ritson, of
the firm of Ritson and Co., contractors for the construction of the
West Cornwall Railway. The presentation was made by the
sub-contractors and others, as a mark of their respect and esteem for
Mr. Ritson. We have this week received a longer notice of the
proceedings at the presentation from a correspondent who was present on
the occasion, and who wishes to do justice to the cordial and manly
feelings by which all concerned were actuated, and which he says were
creditable to their hearts as well as to their heads. The company
consisted of forty-one, for whom a most bountiful supper was provided
by Mr. FLOYD, of the Royal Standard Inn, Hayle; and the party was
presided over by Mr. WHERRY, assisted by Mr. W. MILLETT, of Hayle, as
vice-president. Justice having been done in dispatching the supper,
the President commanded attention by delivering the following address:-
"My Friends, Having met on the present occasion, for the purpose of
carrying out an object which must be truly gratifying to all engaged in
it, I will not tire you with a lengthy prelude as to what this our
object may be. Mr. Joseph Ritson, our known and tried friend, being
located with us, we beg his acceptance of this trifle which I now hold
in my hand, (a very valuable gold watch and guard-chain) and though
unimportant in itself, we trust that it will afford the receiver an
equal pleasure that it does the donors,-as it is not pretended to be
any thing beyond a simple expression of respect and regard to which
inflexible integrity, coupled with the greatest kind-heartedness, is so
justly entitled; and I am perfectly confident in asserting, that there
is neither friend nor acquaintance of Mr. Joseph Ritson, who will not
loudly echo this sentiment." (Then turning to Mr. Ritson.) "Now, sir,
it becomes me to inform you, that this demonstration originated very
lately, with some few of your friends, who suggested that they would be
lacking in gratitude and respect, should they not make evident those
feelings in the most open manner. This suggestion was no sooner
mooted, than it was most heartily adopted by all; and our present
meeting is the result. I now, sir, present you this testimony of the
respect and gratitude which are entertained for you, on the part of
those friends by whom you are now surrounded. Being very incompetent
to discharge my duties in a becoming manner - especially, should I
attempt to speak of the character of our respected friend, I now pray
you, Mr. RITSON, and all present, to overlook any prominent defects
which I have been guilty of as your chairman, and let me conclude by
saying for our friend, -'that he only requires to be known-to be
respected.'" This address was followed by much cheering, and as soon
as it subsided, Mr. Joseph Ritson, who was sensibly affected on the
occasion, rose and spoke as follows:- "My kind friends, -If there is
one position in life more embarrassing than another, it is when a man
is overburdened by the kindness of his friends, for something which he
considers himself doubtfully entitled to. In such a position you now
see me. I would gladly slip out if I could; but before doing so, I
have a most difficult task to encounter, if it were only to thank you
my friends, consistently, which I am plainly incapable of doing, and as
for requiting your kindness, I have not the presumption to hold out a
hope beyond my present declaration, that if my conduct hither to has
given me a claim to my friends' kind consideration, I will now
inviolably promise, that I will not go backward in future, but that it
shall be the peculiar study of my life to promote the happiness and
comfort of those about me. And I hope you will not blame me if I say -
more especially those friends with whom we are daily familiar - that I
ought never to forget the present occasion; and should I do so, let my
'right hand forget her cunning.' I can now do no more, but proffer you
all my most heartfelt thanks." Mr. Ritson was frequently stopped by
cheers during his address, and on his resuming his seat they were long
continued. Various other persons throughout the evening shortly
addressed the meeting in sensible remarks; and soon after eleven
o'clock the parties separated with manifest satisfaction.
APPOINTMENT - The Rev. Mr. MANNING, of St. Mark's College, Chelsea,
has been appointed to be Deacon Schoolmaster at Mevagissey.
SIR W. R. GILBERT - The Brevet of the Indian Army, appearing in
Friday's Gazette, promotes thirty-eight Major Generals to be Lieut.
Generals, and amongst the number we observe the name of Sir WALTER
RALEIGH GILBERT. There are also eleven Majors promoted to be
Lieut.-Colonels, and two hundred and five Captains to be Majors.
SALE OF COPYRIGHT - The Rev. J. W. COLENSO, rector of Farncett St.
Mary, in Norfolk, (son of Mr. Colenso of Lostwithiel), has sold his
treatise on Algebra, to Messrs. LONGMAN for three thousand pounds.
ST Ives - At a meeting of the trustees of St. Ives pier, held on the
19th instant, Captain JAMES QUICK was elected to fill the office of
harbour master, in the place of the late Captain JAMES WEARNE; and at
the same meeting it was resolved to new pave the wharf, which for
several years has been in a shameful state.
MRS. KELYNACK'S JOURNEY - We stated last week the return to her
native county of this old fisherwoman; the following are some further
particulars respecting her singular journey on foot to see the Great
Exhibition. She states that when she left Penzance to undertake the
journey, she had only sixpence in her pocket, having expended the gifts
previously made to her in various necessary purchases to fit her to
appear at the exhibition. She received very liberal assistance on her
way in both money and provisions, and was generally treated very
kindly. She travelled many scores of miles by moonlight, and
occasionally went out of the direct route for want of better
information. In one town (she does not now remember the name), some
vagabond robbed her in a lodging house, of a night bed-gown, two pairs
of stockings, and two caps; but a lady replaced her stockings by
presenting her with two other pairs. It took her five weeks to walk to
London, and when she appeared before the Lord Mayor she had only 5 1/2
d. in her pocket; and she told the Lord Mayor she had been robbed by
the way. Whilst in London, a grocer of Penzance sent her an order on a
firm in London to supply her with a pound of snuff, which she received
and used, being a great snuff taker. She was kindly treated in London,
and was also invited to Greenwich Hospital by the pensioners, who
entertained her hospitably, and presented her with a sum of money.
When she left London, the Great Western Railway Company gave her a free
conveyance to Bristol, and on her arrival there her celebrity had
extended so widely that she found a number of gentlemen at the station
ready with a cab to convey her to one of the hotels, where she was well
entertained. We stated last week her arrival by the Times Coach from
Exeter, free of charge. When she came to Penzance on Friday last, she
was received with three cheers by the fisherwomen in the market, and on
reaching her home she drank the health of "Queen Victoria, Prince
Albert, and all the family." She declares her intention of soon going
to London again if she does not receive the pension to which she
conceives herself entitled on account of her deceased husband's
services, he having been on board a man-of-war twenty-seven years, and
received a pension till his death, which has not been continued to his
widow. It would seem that one reason of her going to London was the
belief that this pension ought to be continued to her. Mrs. Kelynack
will be eighty-five years of age at Christmas next.
TRURO UNION - REDUCTION OF SALARIES - Some months since, Mr. J. P.
PETERS, of Philleigh, had given notice of a motion for the reduction of
salaries. The Board then appointed a committee to report on the
subject. On Wednesday the 19th instant, at the meeting of the Board,
the committee reported that the clerk's duties were such that they
could not recommend any reduction of his salary; but they added a
recommendation that in case of any vacancy occurring in the offices of
relieving officers, the duties should be performed by two instead of
three officers, as at present, and that the salaries of each of the
three relieving officers be immediately reduced from GBP90 to GBP75 a
year. This recommendation was then taken into consideration by the
Board. Mr. G. CLYMA proposed that the salaries be continued as before,
which was seconded by the Rev. J. T. BOSCAWEN. Mr. J. PETERS moved an
amendment, which was seconded by Mr. TRESAWNA, that the recommendation
of the committee as to reduction be adopted; and on a division the
proposed reduction was carried by a majority of 18 to 12. Many members
of the Board declined to vote.
BUDE - On Tuesday last, the smack "Lady Acland" was launched from the
building yard of Mr. ROBERT STAPLETON. This vessel is the property of
Capt. OLIVER DAVEY, and has been lengthened 10 1/4 feet, and received a
thorough repair. She is now one of the finest vessels out of Bude, and
is to be rigged as a schooner.
SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN AND MARINERS' SOCIETY - On the 20th instant the
brig "Tom Bowling," of Penzance, while at anchor in harbour Cove, near
Padstow, parted her chain cable and hawser in a very heavy gale from
the north-east, and was driven against a projecting and precipitous
cliff, and became a total wreck. With some difficulty the crew
effected a landing on the beach, with the loss of almost everything
belonging to them. They were forwarded by the agent of the Shipwrecked
Fishermen and Mariners' Society at Padstow, to Truro, where the agent
of the same society, Captain HIATT, R.N., supplied them with provisions
and necessary clothing, lodged them for the night, and paid their
expenses to their homes at Penzance. This is one of those cases which
show the usefulness of this excellent society, and its claims on the
liberal support of the benevolent.
SHIPPING DISASTER - On Tuesday last, the "George," of Bideford,
BERRY, master, from Cardiff for Southampton, spring a leak at half-past
two o'clock in the morning, when off the Land's-end, and had to run for
Hayle, there being great difficulty in keeping her afloat.
SHIPWRECKS - On Sunday last, the mast of a large vessel, supposed to
have been a foreigner, of about 600 tons, was towed into St. Ives pier.
Pretty much wreck has been picked up at Newquay, among which is the
stern of the "Kitty," of Youghal.
On Tuesday last, the "Victoria," No. 7, pilot sloop, of Falmouth, E.
CHARD, master, returning from a cruize, after putting a pilot on board
the Austrian ship "Flora," struck on the Manacles rocks and sunk.
A CORNISH BLOOMER - On Saturday last, it was whispered about that the
wife of a farmer residing in a parish on the Cornwall side of the
Tamer, and who was well known in the Devonport market, had come in
attired in the new female costume, and that so arrayed she was standing
with her "marketing" in the butter and poultry market. This rumour
spread with great rapidity, and as rapidly grew the desire to see the
dress. The butter market was soon crowded, and the object of all this
interest and excitement - the cynosure of all eyes - very speedily sold
all the articles she had brought to market. One butcher would buy a
pound of butter, another would buy a fowl, and so on, until her baskets
were emptied. The good lady, who is upwards of forty years of age, the
mother of many children, and a good-looking woman, did not make a
display of the peculiarities of her dress, wearing her usual market
cloak, and as she stood behind her baskets it was somewhat difficult to
see the trousers, and the difficulty increased the pressure and
confusion. The excitement was so strong at last that the
peace-officers interfered. The Bloomer, when requested to leave the
market, said she had not annoyed any one, that she had a right to wear
what kind of dress she thought best; she would leave the market when
she had sold the whole of her goods, and that in the meantime she
considered she had a right to the protection of the officers.
Eventually, when she had performed the object of her visit, that is,
sold her "marketing," she left the market and returned to her home. It
was remarked by some that the Bloomer dress was a great improvement in
point of comfort and utility, for country wear, whilst others could
only speak of it in terms of abhorrence and disgust. No person could
have behaved with more firmness and decision than the Cornish farmer's
wife is represented to have done.
FALMOUTH POLICE - On Sunday evening last, a young man called PALMER,
who was drunk and annoying his brother and sister, was taken to the
prison, and on Monday he was brought before Mr. CORNISH, and discharged
with a caution.
On Tuesday, MARY ANN RETALLACK was charged with being drunk and
disorderly on the previous evening. This was her third or fourth
offence; she was sent to prison for fourteen days' hard labour.
ROBBERIES - Last week the cellar of Mr. WHITE, of Bedwen, in the
parish of Luxulyan, was entered during the night, and a cask of cider
stolen, and what was not taken, the thieves allowed to run to waste.
On the same night a neighbour of Mr. White had several geese and ducks
stolen, so it appears eating and drinking were the motive of their
visits. There is no clue to the offenders.
FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE - Tuesday, November 25, 1851. PARTNERSHIPS
DISSOLVED. - WILLIAM RICHARDS and JOHN RICHARDS, Penzance, Cornwall,
mercers and drapers.
BANKRUPTS - ROBERT ALLEN, late of Falmouth, brewer, and of Truro,
wines and spirits?
DISCOVERY OF AN ENORMOUS MASS OF AUSTRALIAN GOLD - The Bathurst Free
Press records the discovery of a lump of gold whose weight far exceeds
anything which the most sanguine had expected of the Australian
diggings. The following is the account of the colonial newspaper :
"Mr. SUTTOR, a few days previously, three out a few misty hints about
the possibility of a single individual digging four thousand pounds
worth of gold in one day, but no one believed him serious. It was
thought he was doing a little harmless puffing for his own district and
the Turrow diggings. On Sunday it began to be whispered about town
that Mr. KERR, Mr. Suttor's brother-in-law, had found a hundred weight
of gold. Some few believed it, but the townspeople generally, and
amongst the rest the writer of this article, treated the story as a
piece of ridiculous exaggeration. The following day, however, set the
matter at rest. About two o'clock in the afternoon, a pair of greys in
tandem, driven by W. H. SUTTOR, Esq., M.C., made their appearance at
the bottom of William-street. In a few seconds, they were pulled up
opposite the Free Press office, and the first indication of the
astounding fact which met the view was two massive pieces of the
precious metal, glittering in virgin purity, as they leaped from the
rock. The townspeople were on the qui vive, and about one hundred and
fifty were collected around the gig to catch a glimpse of the wonder.
The two pieces spoken of were freely handed about amongst the assembled
throng for some twenty minutes, and the vehicle was pointed out as
containing a square box, the repository of the remainder of the hundred
weight of gold. It was then conveyed to the Union Bank of Australia in
the presence of the manager, DAVID KENNEDY, W. H. SUTTOR, and T. J.
HAWKINS, Esqrs., and the fortunate proprietor Dr. KERR, the weighing
commenced, Dr. MATCHATTIE officiating, and Mr. FARRAND acting as clerk.
The first two pieces already alluded to weighed severally 6lbs. 4oz.
1dwt., and 6lbs. 13dwts., besides which were sixteen drafts, of 5lbs.
4oz each, making in all 102lbs. 9ozs. 5dwt. From Dr. Kerr we learned
that he had retained upwards of 3lbs. as specimens, so that the total
weight found would be 106lbs - all disembowelled from the earth at one
time. And now for the particulars of this extraordinary gathering. A
few days previous to the finding, an educated aboriginal, formerly
attached to the Wellington Missions, and who has been in the service of
W. Kerr, Esq., of Wallawa about seven years, returned home to his
employer with the intelligence that he had discovered a large mass of
gold amongst a heap of quartz upon the run, whilst tending the sheep.
Gold being the universal theme of conversation, this sable son of the
forest was excited, and provided with a tomahawk he had amused himself
by exploring the country adjacent to his employer's land. His
attention was first called to the spot by observing a spot of some
glittering yellow substance upon the surface of a block of the quartz,
upon which he applied his tomahawk and broke off a portion. He then
started home and disclosed the discovery to his master, who was soon on
the spot, and in a very short time the three blocks of quartz
containing the hundredweight of gold were released from the bed where
they had rested for ages. The largest of the blocks was about a foot
in diameter, and weighed 75lbs. gross. Out of this piece 60 lbs. of
pure gold was taken. Before separation it was beautifully encased in
quartz. The other two were something smaller. The auriferous mass
weighed as nearly as could be guessed from two to three hundred weight.
Not being able to move it conveniently, Dr. Kerr broke the pieces into
small fragments, and herein committed a very great error. As
specimens, the glittering block would have been invaluable. From the
description given by him, as seen in their original state, the world
has seen nothing like them yet. The heaviest of the two large pieces
presented an appearance not unlike a honeycomb or sponge, and consisted
of particles of a crystalline form, as did nearly the whole of the
gold. The second larger piece was smoother and the particles more
condensed, and seemed, as if it had been acted upon by water. The
remainder was broken into lumps of 2lbs, to 3lbs, and downwards, and
were remarkably free from quartz or earthy matter. The locality where
the gold was found is the commencement of an undulating table land,
very fertile, and is contiguous to a never-failing supply of water in
the Murro Creek. It is distant about fifty-three miles from Bathurst,
eighteen from Mudgee, thirty from Wellington, and eighteen to the
nearest point of the Macquarie River, and is within eight miles of Dr.
Kerr's head station. The neighbouring county has been explored since
the discover, but, with the exception of dust, no further indications
have been found.
MISCELLANEOUS - WAY TO LAY UP REAL WEALTH - A man would do well to
carry a pencil in his pocket, and write down the thoughts of the
moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable,
and should be secured, because they seldom return. - Lord Bacon.
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