cornwall england newspaper
1857 NEWS
ARTICLES, etc
2 JANUARY 1857, Friday
NOTICE. WHEREAS my wife, ANN MILLS, having left her home, this is to give NOTICE, that I will not be answerable for any Debt or Debts that she may contract after this notice.
WILLIAM H. MILLS
Witness: Henry CARBIS
Ded. St. Day, December 31st, 1856
NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION - Return to an Order of the House of Commons, dal. 11th July 1855, of the number of Stamps issd. to newspapers in the United Kingdom from 31st day of December, 1854, to the 1st day of Ju. 1855.
West Briton.........................................88,500
The other papers printed in Cornwall................41,709
We observe from this Return that the West Briton is at the head of all the newspapers printed in the four western counties: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, and will be seen from the numbers given above that its circulation is more than double that of all Cornish contemporaries. It must, therefore, be obvious to advertisers that a very decided advantage is accrued[?] to them through the columns of the West Briton.
FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT - [just a paragraph of an entire essay
The weather has been as favourable for the Christmas festivities as English weather could be expected to be. It has rained a little, frozen a little, thawed a little, but on the whole, (for a period so far removed from the "good old times"), the elements have behaved remarkably well. The oldest inhabitant has given us to know often enough - and by this time we know it, or ought - that things are not as they used to be, and that even the weather is not what it was in the good old days when George the Third was King. Why did that venerable monarch ever die? All the good luck seems to have died with him - even merry Christmases and fine Sundays.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
A CLERGYMAN TURNED ROMANIST - The Catholic Standard, of Saturday, states that the Rev. Russell HOWELL, of Christchurch, Oxford, and vicar of St. Veep, Cornwall, was last week received into the Catholic Church by the very Rev. Father COFFIN, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Clapham. Mr. Howell was formerly curate of Cuddesdon, the Bishop of Oxford's parish.
PERRAN WHARF INSTITUTION - On Friday evening last, the members of this institution invited their neighbours and friends to join then as usual at Christmas, in a "monster" tea party, and it is but justice to say, that never was a company presided over more charmingly than by the ladies who were present on this occasion. After the guests had done ample justice to the good things provided, a lecture on "Music" was volunteered by Mr. John BURGESS of Perran Wharf, and so well did this gentleman acquit himself, that the audience testified their approval by a unanimous vote of thanks.
CHRISTMAS BENEVOLENCE - St. Austell Union House - On Christmas-day, the inmates received their annual treat of roast beef and plum pudding, the gift of the Board of Guardians.
The annual distribution of bread and meat to 100 poor persons, as well as the dispensing of the Kempe Charity of GBP 5 in money, took place at the vestry room, St. Mary's, Truro, on Christmas Eve.
On the 26th instant, at the Commercial Hotel, the labourers of the roads of the parish of Camborne were regaled at the expense of Mrs. R. LANYON, with roast beef, plum pudding, beer, &c., as is her annual custom. They numbered thirteen, and their respective ages amounted to sixty-two years.
The Christmas charities of Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. RASHLEIGH, were distributed on Christmas eve, when one hundred and sixty poor families residing in the several parishes around Menabilly were supplied with beef and bread for their Christmas dinners. The inmates of the Rashleigh alms house in Fowey and Tywardreath received each one guinea and clothes, and to fifty poor persons in Fowey, one shilling each, through the vicar of that parish.
CLERICAL OPPRESSION - At the Pydar Petty Sessions, held at St. Columb, on the 30th ult., Philip HAWKE the younger, of St. Ervan, was summoned by the Rev. H.N. BARTON, incumbent of that parish, for absenting himself from the parish church on Sunday last, and also for neglecting to appear at the .... kitchen on the same day, he (the defendant) being in the complainant's service, as hind and manager of an extensive glebe farm attached to the benefits of St. Ervan.[as written]
The defendant is the son of one of the oldest and most respectable farmers in the parish of St. Ervan, and from his statement to the bench, it appeared that about Midsummer last, Mr. Barton applied to him to look after his farm, as his hind had left. Hawke consented to come with him for GBP 20 a year, with board, &c., but he entered into such engagement more with a view to serve Mr. Barton temporarily, than to remain with him permanently.
He had since given a month's notice to determine the service, and he attributed the present proceeding to Mr. Barton's chagrin at this desire to leave him. The Bench having heard the statements of both parties, expressed an opinion that the proceeding was one which ought never to have been brought before them, and they dismissed the summons.
THE CUSTOMS - Mr. EVANS, collector of customs at Scilly, has been removed to Cardigan, and is succeeded at Scilly by Mr. Richardson.
APPOINTMENT - The Secretary of War has appointed Mr. J.R. BARRY of St. Columb to be foreman of works in the engineer department at Birmingham.
GUANO - We observe with regret that the price is again advanced by the Peruvian government for this valuable manure. Circulars were issued on the 24th of last month, quoting for fifty tons in London GBP 14.5s.0d. per ton, and for any quantity over fifty tons GBP 13.0s.0d. per ton.
EXCISE PROSECUTIONS - On the 19th ult., William Hosking WHITING was summoned before the magistrates of Bodmin, on the information of William Nathan SOWDEN, an excise officer, charged with selling an eighth part of a pint of port wine without having a proper licence. Mr. Cummins appeared for the prosecution and Mr. J.B. Collins for the defendant.
It appears that the excise officer, who lives at Plymouth, had visited several public-houses in Bodmin on the 18th of October, and amongst others he went into defendant's house, and asked for a glass of sherry. His statement was that Mrs. Whiting said she had no sherry, but some port, and he then told her to get him a glass of port negus, which she did, and he paid for it. He rang the bell again, and told Mrs. Whiting the negus was weak, and asked her to bring him a glass of clean port wine, which she did and threw it in with the negus. He did not pay any more for it; he drank it up and left the house.
On cross-examination witness stated that Mrs. Whiting did not say, when he asked for the sherry, that she had some elder wine. Mr. Collins having addressed the bench for the defence, called Mrs. Whiting, who differed from Mr. Sowden as to the time of day when the occurrence took place, and stated that on his asking for sherry wine, she said "I have no sherry, but some elder and other home-made wines" and the former was what she sold him. The magistrates convicted the defendant, and fined him GBP 50, but mitigated the penalty to one-fourth.
Mrs. Mary WHITE, who keeps the London Inn, was summoned for a similar offence, which was also proved by Sowden, who said he went into defendant's house on the 18th October last, and asked for a glass of sherry, with which defendant's niece supplied him, and he paid 3d. for it.
Mrs. White, in defence, said she was at the time in great distress, having just buried a child and her husband, and that she was not aware of her niece having sold any wine. She discontinued a wine license only a few days before, and forgot to tell her niece of it. She was fined in the mitigated penalty of GBP 12.10s., and the magistrates said they would sign a memorial to the Board of Inland revenue for a further mitigation, if such memorial were prepared.
ROBBERY WITH CHLOROFORM - In this age of crime and enormity every available assistant to the robber seems to be turned to account in some form or other.
On Wednesday between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, a man wearing a large moustache and calling himself a French doctor and collector of herbs, visited several houses in the vicinity of Illogan, asking if any one was sick, or if they had any herbs to sell, at the same time enquiring if they knew of any one ill in the neighbourhood. It appears that a man called Edward MARTIN, at Illogan Church Town, was named as a bedlier, and considered incurable.
Thither the scoundrel hied immediately, stating that he had been desired to call upon him by several persons in the neighbourhood. He was consequently admitted, and had not been in the room many minutes before he had apparently surveyed every article in the place, and seemed very anxious to know further of the old gentleman's worldly circumstances. He was observed to use his handkerchief many times and throw it about in a very unusual manner.
Soon afterwards, the persons in the room complained of a very peculiar smell, and said they all felt faint and giddy; one of them fell heavily upon the floor, and the others were so giddy and stupefied that their senses were gone. The noise caused by the falling of one woman providentially aroused her husband, a miner, who was sleeping in the next room, and who rushed in half naked to ascertain the cause of the noise, when, on entering the room, he saw the herb gatherer helping himself to the contents of a desk in which was all the ready money they had, amounting to upwards of GBP 16, and all the family apparently dead about him.
The villain rushed over the stairs, and, unfortunately, there was no one to pursue him, so that he got clear off. All the parties are recovered from the effects of the fright and chloroform, but it might have been far otherwise. He [the robber] is represented to be a short man wearing a large black moustache, and speaking with a somewhat foreign accent, and used to have a stall in the Redruth market on market days.
TRURO POLICE - On Friday last, before the Mayor and Mr. PADDON, a travelling tinker called Walter STODDERN was fined 5s. and expenses for being drunk in the streets on the forenoon of Christmas-day. His brother, John STODDERN, also a tinker, was in a similar condition on Christmas-day, and on Monday last was fined 5s. and costs for the offence.
- On the same day, Susan WILLIAMS, fruit-seller, was charged with being drunk and creating a disturbance in Truro market on Saturday morning. She was ordered to find sureties, herself in GBP 10, and two in GBP 10 each, to be of good behavior for six months, or in default to be committed for fourteen days. She found the sureties and was discharged.
- On Wednesday, before Mr. NANKIVELL, Elijah MOTT, of Writtle, in Essex, and John JONES of Whitechapel, London, were charged with wandering about the streets begging, and having no visible means of subsistence. They were committed as vagrants, Mott for twenty-one days, and Jones for fourteen days, with hard labour.
CHARGE OF SETTING FIRE TO CORN - We stated last week that a fire took place at Mr. HAWKEY's farm, at Short-Lane's-End, on the night of the 24th ult., when a mow of oats, worth about GBP 60 was consumed, and that the fire was believed to have been caused by an incendiary.
On Christmas day Mr. Hawkey came to Truro and communicated with the police, and the result was that Mr. NASH, superintendent, serjeant WOOLCOCK, and police-constable PAPPIN, were soon actively engaged in inquiries, which led, on Sunday night last, to the apprehension of two brothers, Thomas and Nicholas PLINT, who were taken before Mr. Prynn ANDREW, county magistrate, at Truro, on Monday last, when they were charged with the offence, and remanded until the following Thursday.
We may add that the prisoner, Thomas Plint, is a sawyer, with a wife and two children, and Nicholas Plint is a miner, and a single man. They are relatives of Mr. Hawkey and live about a quarter of a mile from his premises; and it appears there have been differences between Hawkey and the Plints for some time, arising partly from Thomas Plint having lived in a house belonging to Hawkey, when he proved a troublesome tenant, and paid no rent, and Mr. Hawkey had great difficulty in ejecting him.
Mr. Hawkey also added to the cause of ill-feeling by directing steps to be taken against Thomas Plint and others, for assaulting his man-servant and taking from him some porter which the servant was carrying to Mr. Hawkey's house from the public-house at Short-Lane's-end. A fire also occurred on Mr. Hawkey's premises about thirteen months ago, when corn and hay, a threshing machine, and other property were destroyed; which fire was then supposed to have been caused by an incendiary.
On Thursday the case was investigated before Mr. H.P. ANDREW, when evidence was given at considerable length, and after a hearing of about four hours, the prisoners were both committed to take their trial at the assizes for the offence. When asked what they had to say in their defence, each stated that he was innocent. Several witnesses were bound over to give evidence for the prosecution.
MORE SHEEP KILLED BY DOGS - On the night of Saturday last, some ravenous dogs got into a field belonging to Mr. James TUCKER, of Trethowal Mills, near St. Austell, and out of seventeen sheep which had been placed there by a labourer, destroyed four, and bit ten others so much that they were obliged to be killed. The dogs appear then to have gone across the country, for in a field on Trenance farm, belonging to Mrs. George ANDREW, out of a flock of sheep there were seventeen killed, or injured so badly that they were obliged to be killed at once. Traces of a dog were followed to a place called Penhale, in the higher quarter of St. Austell; but when charged with it, the owner said his dog had been home all night. We are since informed that the dogs suspected of destroying the sheep have been killed; and one of them having been opened, was found to contain a large quantity of fat mutton and bits of sheep skin.
MINE ACCIDENTS � On Friday last, as Edward LEGGO, of St. Just, was "putting in a hole," at Bosweddan mine, the charge exploded, and he was severely injured about the head and body. It is feared that he will lose his sight.
At Balleswidden, as William STRICK, of Sancreed, was nailing some timber on a shaft, on Monday last, he lost his ..[footing?]...and unfortunately came in contact with a kibble and was cut in two, so that he expired immediately.
On Wednesday last, as a man named John WILLIAMS, of Camborne, was engaged taking out timber from a kibble at the 180 fathoms level in Dolcoath mine, by some means he lost his footing and fell to the 190 fathom level. He was found dreadfully bruised all over the head and body, and but slight hopes are entertained of his recovery.
FATAL GUN ACCIDENT � A sad accident happened on Friday last, at Trelissick, the seat of the Hon. Mrs. GILBERT, through which the gardener at Trelissick, called John STEVENS, of Feock, lost his life.
It appears that on Friday last, the deceased and several others, servants at Trelissick, met at the bottom of a lawn at about ten o'clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of ferreting and shooting rabbits. They had six or seven guns between them, a ferret, and some dogs.
After they had been following the sport about two hours, the deceased went down by the side of the cliff, about twelve to fourteen feet, to put the ferret into a rabbit's hole. Presently afterwards the rabbit bolted, and the deceased caught it in his hands. He threw it up to a young man called Mattias SMETHAM, who was standing just above, with a gun in his right hand, holding it by the barrel just before the cock; and as he stooped to pick up the rabbit with his left hand, the gun went off, and the whole of the charge entered the back part of the deceased's head, a little above the ear.
There were a great number of brambles near the young man and, in stooping to pick up the rabbit, no doubt the gun was set off by one of them. He did not know the gun had gone off until his father, who was standing near him, exclaimed that the deceased was shot. Another of the party called Richard STEVENS said he saw the smoke coming out of Matthias Smetham's gun.
The deceased was immediately carried to his home at the Trelissick farm-house; but he never spoke again and died a few minutes afterwards, having survived the accident only three-quarters of an hour. There had been nothing like an angry word between any of the party; on the contrary, everything had gone on very comfortably between them. An inquest was held on the body at Trelissick farm-house on Saturday last, before Mr. John CARLYON, county coroner, when the jury were perfectly satisfied that the death was purely accidental, and returned a verdict of "homicide by misadventure."
CORONERS' INQUESTS
The following inquests have been held by Mr. CARLYON county coroner:
On Friday, the 26th ult., at St. Mawes, on the body of Alexander LANGLAND, aged 30 years. The deceased was a gunner and driver in the Royal Artillery stationed at St. Mawes castle and from the evidence of John WOODWARD, a bombardier of the same service, who had charge of the men at the castle, it appeared that the deceased and another man called Richard CAIRNES were not present at the tattoo at half-past eight on Wednesday evening; but about half-past eleven he was sitting in his quarters and heard a noise outside; and on going out he saw gunner Cairnes on the drawbridge, looking over it. Witness asked what he was doing there; he replied that he came over the wall and he thought the deceased had fallen into the ditch. Witness looked into the ditch and saw something lying on the ground; deceased's jacket was open and he saw the breast of his shirt. Witness immediately unlocked the door leading to the ditch, and raised the deceased to a sitting posture, and left him with Cairnes until he got further assistance; he was cold and speechless.
As soon as assistance arrived he was carried into the castle and laid on the first bed. Mr. HARDING, surgeon, was sent for from St. Mawes, and attended him; but he died from the injuries he had received between three and four o�clock on the following morning.
Richard CAIRNES, gunner R.A., deposed that he and the deceased left the castle on Wednesday evening between six and seven o'clock and remained at St. Mawes till eleven; they then returned to the castle; deceased was the worse for liquor but was able to walk without assistance, and they had both drank alike.
On arriving at the castle, witness got over the wall near the castle ditch, and deceased attempted to follow him; he saw him on the top of the wall and saw him fall from thence into the ditch, a depth of about twenty-seven feet. It appeared that the deceased before he died recovered sufficiently to be able to tell those who were near him that he had fallen in the way described, and he hoped it would be a warning to others. Verdict, accidental death.
The jury at the same time expressed a hope that some steps would be taken to confine the men to the castle after hours, so as to prevent the recurrence of such an accident.
At Chacewater, on the 29th ult., on the body of William WHITFORD, an illegitimate child, aged about three months, who was carried by the grandmother to the sexton at Chacewater, to be buried on Saturday last. From the account she gave of the circumstances attending the death of the child, suspicions arose that everything was not right, and an inquiry before the coroner was deemed necessary. It was satisfactorily proved, however, at a post mortem examination, made by Mr. MOYLE, surgeon, of Chacewater, that the deceased had died from natural causes; and the jury returned a verdict to that effect.
On Tuesday the 30th ult., at Redruth, on the body of James Edmund SNOW, aged six months, son of Mr. James SNOW, of the Dunstanville Arms, who, it was alleged, had died from not having been properly attended to by Mr. ROWE.
James SNOW, the father of the deceased, deposed that deceased had been a healthy child till about eight o'clock last Sunday morning, when he and his wife were awoke by his making an unusual noise as of violent gasping; he was then lying on his mother's arm, and the breast and sleeve of her night dress were wet from his perspiration. Witness thought she had covered him up too much with her clothes, and took the child from her and rested it on his own arm, and turned back the bed-clothes. Finding he was not as he had been, and that he did not take notice of things, and was breathing quick, witness jumped out of bed and sent a man to fetch Mr. Rowe, who came in about half-an-hour and saw the child.
Mr. Rowe also appeared to think that he had been covered too much with the clothes, but said he thought he would be better in a few hours; he then left and afterwards sent a bottle of medicine with directions that a tea-spoonful should be given every four hours; he also sent another bottle containing a liniment to be applied over the chest. Witness did not recollect receiving direction that it was to be applied to the spine as well. Mrs. Snow gave the child one tea-spoonful of the medicine about ten o�clock; she had previously taken the child into the kitchen, and Mr. Rowe had consented to his being taken there.
Witness remained in the kitchen about one hour and a quarter after the medicine was given, and then went out and remained about a quarter of an hour. On his return he observed a great alteration in the child's appearance, and that he was looking worse; and he then sent for Mr. HICHENS, surgeon, who attended and saw him about twenty minutes afterwards. Mr. Hichens said the child was then dying and he could do nothing for him; but that the parents might apply mustard poultices to the legs if they liked; Mr. Hichens then left, and the child died in about a quarter of an hour afterwards. Mr. Rowe did not come again to see the child.
In reply to a question by Mr. Rowe, witness said that he observed the child's eyes were much larger than usual; and in reply to the questions by the jury, witness said he had observed before last Sunday, that the child occasionally perspired very freely at night; but on those occasions, the perspiration soon passed off again. When he took the child from his wife, it was breathing very quick and with difficulty. Mrs. Snow called Mr. Rowe's attention as he was leaving the room, to the child's foaming at the mouth; he said it was phlegm coming from the stomach, and it would relieve him.
Mr. James HICHENS, surgeon, deposed that he was called to the deceased about noon on Sunday, and found him on his mother's lap, before the kitchen fire, in a dying state; the arms were extended, the thumb flexed on the palms, and the pupils of the eyes were very much contracted - all indications that the child had a convulsion. He told the mother it was too late for him to do anything, but she might apply mustard poultices to the legs if she liked.
From the evidence given by the father of the child's symptoms when he sent for Rowe, witness should say the child had a convulsion at that time; and if so, the remedy given was a useless one. The child ought to have been immediately placed in a warm bath, ought to have had a dose of calomel, cold applications to the head, and an injection if necessary; also blisters to the spine; and if these remedies had not produced the desired result he should have tried the effect of the leech.
The child was a small child when born, and was weak perhaps for about the first three months of his life; but after that he gained strength, and witness vaccinated him. Witness saw him the eighth day after his vaccination; he was then doing well, and he perfectly recovered. Mr. Hichens was asked by the jury whether the child had died of apoplexy. (Mr. Rowe having given a certificate that that was the cause of death) and he answered that it was an almost unheard of thing for a child of that age to apoplexy, and he did not consider that this child had apoplexy at all; the pupils were contracted and there was a cerebral spinal irritation.
Sampson Taylor ROWE, assistant to Mr. BLEE, druggist, Redruth, deposed as follows: I was sent for about eight o'clock last Sunday morning to step over to Mr. Snow's, as soon as I could; I was told their child was ill; I was prevented going immediately, but I saw the child about half-past nine; he was then in bed; I found the breathing very short, the hands somewhat contracted, and a dark appearance round his eyelids - more particularly the right one; the pupil of the right eye was very much dilated; I was told he had been covered up very warm, and that he was found in the state I then saw him, when the parents awoke.
From the dilated state of the eye and the other symptoms, I came to the conclusion that the child was suffering from apoplexy produced by want of oxygen. Not to alarm the parents, I promised to do the best I could for the child, and hoped there might be a chance for the better. I sent a liniment to be applied to the spine and to the chest, which I thought would be more speedy in its effects than blistering; also a bottle of medicine, composed of infusion of senns, very weak, and a little peppermint, and a small quantity of aromatic spirits of ammonia.
I also spoke to the father of a warm bath, and advised one for the child if he was not soon relieved. I forgot to mention that the child was foaming at the mouth when I first saw him. I did not think it necessary to order a purgative as I understood the bowels had been freely relieved in the course of the night. The child's thumb was slightly fixed on the palm, and it occurred to me that convulsions were approaching; my impression was that the child was suffering from apoplexy; there was a cold clammy moisture about the head. I was told that he had been sick, but I could not ascertain that he had been actually so. The pulse was quick but weak. I did not call to see the child again; I afterwards heard that Mr. Hichens had been called in, and that the child was dead.
At this stage of the proceedings, the jury suggested that Mr. BOASE, surgeon, should be called in, and that the evidence should be read over to him; and this having been done, Mr. Boase was asked whether, in his opinion, the remedy supplied by Mr. Rowe was a proper one under the circumstances. Mr. Boase said it was not what he should have done himself. but there did not appear to be anything in the medicine to occasion the death of the child. Assuming the case to be one of apoplexy, the treatment described was not such as ought to have been had recourse to; there ought to have been more active remedies; if witness had been called to a child of that age, he should have inquired whether there were any symptoms of teething, and should have examined the gums. Witness would not go so far as to say that the treatment betrayed such gross ignorance as to cause the child's death.
The jury, which was composed of Mr. John Charles LANYON, foreman, and fourteen other respectable inhabitants of Redruth, returned the following verdict: "That the deceased, James Edmund Snow, died of convulsions, and that his case did not receive that amount of attention which it required; we arrive at this conclusion after hearing the evidence of Mr. S.T. Rowe, druggist's assistant, and receiving the testimonies of Matthias John Boase and James S. Hichins, surgeons; and, although we do not think the evidence sufficiently strong to return a verdict of manslaughter against Mr. S.T. Rowe, we are unanimously of opinion that he betrayed great ignorance in the treatment of the case."
The following inquests have been held by Mr. HICHENS, county coroner: On Friday last, at Redruth Union Workhouse, on the body of Elizabeth HOCKING, single woman, aged twenty-six years, who was suddenly taken by puerperal convulsions, whilst in bed in the hospital of the union workhouse. Mr. HARRIS, the medical officer, was sent for, and immediately attended on the patient; he remained all night in the hospital, and did not leave until about half-past eleven the next forenoon. Mr. ANDREW, surgeon, of Redruth, had previously seen this woman in the course of the day; and Mr. VINCENT, surgeon, of Camborne, also visited her about nine o'clock at night.
The patient had no knowledge whatever after the first attack of the fits, down to the period of her death, which took place about nine o'clock the next morning. She gave birth to a full grown dead child within an hour of her death, whilst perfectly unconscious of what had taken place. From her symptoms previously, it was believed the child had been dead some days. Five women who were in attendance on the patient were first examined, who all gave corroborative testimony that the patient had been well and properly attended to by everybody connected with the case.
The nurse was next called who refused to be sworn, and as this was the only legal admissible evidence at inquests, the coroner said he could not examine her. She was a very important witness however, and it is much to be regretted for the sake of fairness, that she would not be sworn as to the statements she might make. She was urged to do so, but still refused.
The three surgeons were afterwards examined on oath by the coroner, when it was stated by Messrs. ANDREW and VINCENT that nothing more could be done, and that the greatest amount of medical skill had been brought to bear on the case. Mr. Vincent stated that nine out of ten such patients die in these cases of first child birth. It is believed that disappointment in matrimony, alienation of family connexions, and absence from home have a decided influence on the unfortunate young women in this locality, coming as they do from all the parishes of a populous union.
The jury was a respectable and intelligent one, and all were perfectly satisfied that everything which attention or experience could suggest had been done. Verdict, "died from natural causes." The inquiry lasted several hours.
On Monday last, in the parish of Phillack, on the body of George Whittaker, aged 27 years. The deceased had been drinking pretty much on the 25th, and being on the evening of that day at the White Hart Inn, at Hayle, went from the house into the Inn yard, and the Innkeeper's son having gone into the yard a few minutes after, found him there lying on his face in a state of insensibility and speechless. He was taken into the Inn at once, where means were used to endeavour to recover him to no purpose, and he was taken to his own lodgings, where he was attended to by Mr. MUDGE, a surgeon, by whom other means were resorted to, but without any good effect, the deceased having died shortly after. Verdict, "natural death."
The following inquest has been held before Mr. JAGOE, county coroner: On Wednesday last, at Callington, on the body of Mrs. FACEY, aged 65 years, wife of Mr. Arthur FACEY, of Dupath, farmer. Mrs. Facey, whilst engaged in her usual household occupations, fell down in front of her fireplace and suddenly expired. Verdict, "died by the visitation of God."
The following inquest has been held before Mr. W.R. PENDER, coroner for Falmouth: On Tuesday last, at the King's Arms Hotel, Falmouth, on the illegitimate female child of Miss A.F. DASH, of that town. The evidence was rather of a lengthy character, from which it was evident that no surgeon, nurse, or necessary preparation had been made previous to the birth, and the child was left for a long time on the floor before the surgeon, Mr. DONNALL, arrived. He stated, however, that the child was weak and small, and he believed would not have lived long even if every necessary means had been provided in the usual way.
The child was born on Sunday morning last, about seven o'clock, and when he came the infant was wrapped up in a flannel and was crying, and he ordered it to be fed. He saw the child twice a day until she died on the Tuesday evening. There were no marks or evidence of violence of any kind, and he thought the child died from natural causes, as it was physically weak. After a long discussion between the jury before they could all agree, they returned the following verdict: "Died a natural death; and the jury cannot separate without expressing their great disapprobation that no sort of preparation was made for the birth of the child."
9 JANUARY 1857, Friday
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LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
TRURO WORKING MAN'S INSTITUTION SQUARE - A very pleasing meeting took place on Friday last, in connexion with this institution, which was formed in the course of the past year for the benefit of the working men of Truro. The soiree took place at the Assembly-room, and included in its proceedings a tea-meeting, addresses, a vocal and instrumental concert, and a ball.
The Assembly-room was very gaily and tastefully decorated for the occasion, with wreaths and festoons of evergreens, an abundance of flags (including some emblematical of the trades of Truro, carried at the peace demonstration last year), and decorations of ribbons and rosettes adorning the evergreens, the whole having an elegant and striking appearance, whilst at the head of the room, over the platform, the words "Truro Working Man's Institute" were displayed. Great credit is due to the officers and committee of the society for the good taste they exhibited in these decorative arrangements, which when a very numerous company were seated at the tea-tables, and subsequently during the concert and ball, had quite a picturesque effect. The materials for the evergreen decorations were supplied from Mr. TWEEDY's grounds at Alverton.
The tea commenced at five o'clock, the tables being quite full, and some obliged to wait for a second course; altogether, the number that took tea was about three hundred. Tea being concluded, a vocal concert took place, the president of the institute, Mr. STOKES, in the first place stating that one of the expected singers was unable to attend, and consequently some alteration had to be made in the programme. [The vocal part of the concert was under the direction of Mr. HEMPEL; it would be invidious to mention any particular singer, but two or three of the glees and choruses and one or two solos received the applause of the company.]
[Mr. EMIDY's quadrille band next mounted the platform, its number augmented by two other performers.
We should state that between the vocal and instrumental performances, the President, Mr. STOKES, addressed the numerous assemblage from the platform. He said the main object of this institution was not so much to entertain, as to instruct.] Still, they could not always be pouring over books; they must sometimes have a little entertainment.
....After speaking of the beneficial influences of music, and to some extent of works of imagination, the President noticed the present condition of the institution. It numbered nearly 200 members, and they had on their shelves 350 volumes; 90 volumes had been added in the last month; and during November, 376 volumes were taken out for reading. When they remembered that in April last this institution did not exist, he thought they might congratulate themselves on their present position. Their success he attributed partly to the institute having nothing to do with politics.
The room was afterwards cleared for the ball, and shortly after ten o'clock, dancing commenced with much spirit. There was a crowded attendance, and quadrilles, waltzes, polkas, &c. were continued till after four the next morning, providing enjoyment and healthful exercise and recreation for a youthful and delighted company. Refreshments were provided in the card-room; and everything connected with the soiree passed off in the most agreeable manner.
PENRYN INSTITUTION - Miss Louisa Foote HAY gave a concert at the institution room on the 5th instant, when one of the largest audiences ever congregated in Penryn bore testimony to the well deserved popularity of that lady and of her clever sisters Alice and Florence. Mr. LODER late of Bath, accompanied on the piano-forte, and in some instances rendered valuable vocal assistance. The music which was chiefly composed of solos selected with excellent taste from many of our old ballads, received the hearty plaudits of the company, whilst many of the songs were encored. Miss Alice HAY also performed her portion of the entertainment with great credit. Mr. Hay's sketches of character elicited warm applause, and caused roars of laughter.
FALMOUTH - On Monday evening, the members of the Redruth Choral Society gave a concert of vocal and instrumental music in the Polytechnic Hall. The attendance was small, which may be partially attributed to the insufficient manner in which they made their intention known.
POOL LITERARY INSTITUTE - On Friday last, about one hundred and twenty persons sat down to an excellent tea, kindly provided by several ladies interested in the welfare of the above institution. The profits amounted to GBP 4. Immediately after the tea, Captain TONKIN, the vice-president of the society, took the chair, and after an opening speech called on Mr. John SERPELL, the secretary, to read the report. [Addresses were delivered by Messrs. TREGENZA, MINERS, and JAMES; valuable papers were read by Captain PROVIS, on Education, and by Master PEARSE, a youth of sixteen, on the simplest method of testing metals and minerals.]
TRESPASSING AND ASSAULT OF A GAMEKEEPER - On the 30th ult., at Lostwithiel, before Mr. SAWLE, M.P., Mr. KENDALL, M.P., Mr. R. FOSTER, and Mr. Nevil NORWAY, magistrates, THOMAS PHILLIPS and WILLIAM BAWDEN were charged with trespassing in search of game on the lands of Mr. RASHLEIGH, of Menabilly; and Phillips was also charged with assaulting Mr. Rashleigh's gamekeeper.
James BUDGE, the gamekeeper, stated that on the 26th of December, when on his rounds on a part called the Gribbon, he heard guns fired, about one o'clock in the afternoon; and going in the direction of the sound he saw two men on the Gribbon, where there are plenty of hares and pheasants, and another man some distance off. Witness and a man called Hick went under the cliff until coming to the plantation, and when they got to the opposite side they saw a man with a gun and a dog.
The gamekeeper said, I afterwards crossed the ground and caught the man. Whilst he was going towards the cliff I shot at his dog which was following him, and wounded it. Phillips then turned round and said he'd be d-----d if he wouldn't shoot me, and presented the gun at me. I then turned round, and the other prisoner, Bawden, was coming towards me; he had also a gun; I ran after him about forty yards, and caught him and held him for several minutes. I tried to take away his gun, but he held his hand away and would not let me.
I asked his name, and he said he was called RUNDLE, of Tywardreath, which I knew was false. Whilst I was holding him he called for assistance, and Phillips came back and held the gun up to my head, and said, "I'll shoot you for shooting my dog." He still held the gun close to my head, and said, "if you don't let that other man go, I'll shoot you." He afterwards turned ends with the gun, and the butt end came close to my head. He said he would beat my brains out.
Henry HICKS, the person who was out with me, gave me his stick, with which I knocked Phillips down; Bawden then ran off. When they were both about half way down the cliff I again fired at the dog and killed it; Phillips came back and picked it up. There was another person in a boat under the cliff, but I don't know who it was; both prisoners asked him to come up, but he refused.
Henry HICKS gave corroborative evidence, and said from every appearance Phillips was the man, but he could not undertake to swear to him; he could swear to Bawden. Both prisoners denied that they had ever seen the gamekeeper before. The magistrates retired to consider the case, and on their return fined Phillips and Bawden GBP 5 each and costs for poaching, or in default to be imprisoned for three months each with hard labour. They also fined Phillips GBP 5 for the assault, and in default to be further imprisoned for two months with hard labour.
FALMOUTH UNION - On Christmas-Day the inmates of the Falmouth Union were regaled with a plentiful supply of beef and plum pudding, and on New Year's day with tea and cake. They all appeared to enjoy the treat and expressed a desire that their best and most grateful acknowledgments be presented to the Rev. Mr. SCRIVENER and other friends who aided in contributing so bountifully towards their enjoyment, and also to the master and matron who showed themselves desirous to do everything that would add to their comfort.
TRURO POLICE - On the 8th instant, before the Mayor, Mr. PADDON, and Mr. CHAPPEL, Sarah MARTIN was charged with being drunk and disorderly and making use of obscene language in Calenick-street, on Wednesday last, she was found guilty and committed to the house of correction for fourteen days.
CAUTION TO MARINE STORE DEALERS - On Monday last, before Mr. E. MICHELL, Mayor of Truro, Capt. KEMPE, and Messrs. STOKES, NANKIVELL, CHAPPEL, and PADDON, magistrates. SIMON RICHARDS, marine store dealer, Truro, was summoned for neglecting to make proper entries of certain articles he had purchased, used in the printing business.
It appeared from the evidence that James SHOLL, a boy of thirteen years of age, apprentice to Mrs. HEARD and Sons, Truro, on Friday last, went to Mr. Heard and told him that he had something on his mind, and his mind was not easy, because he had several times taken things from the printing office and sold at Richards's marine store shop. On hearing this confession Mr. Heard communicated with Mr. NASH, police superintendent, who went to several marine store shops in town, and amongst them to Richards's where he found a quantity of brass and copper. The brass consisted of rules of different lengths, column and imprint rules, and a brass composing stick. The weight of the brass found was 5 ? lbs., and Mrs. Richards had purchased it of this little boy for 6d. a lb., whereas it was stated by Mr. Heard that the articles had cost at rates varying from 2s.6d. to 8s per lb.
Simon Richards goes out to daily work, and the business is carried on in his absence by his wife, who acknowledged that she had purchased of the boy four times. On examining the book of entries of purchases (required to be kept by Act of Parliament) it was found that she had made only two entries of 1 ? lb. each time. The first sale by the boy was in the beginning of December, when he gave the name of William Williams, St. Clement-street. The boy confessed that he sold the articles produced in court, and some of them were identified by Mr. Jas. WILLIAMS, from the printing office. Considering the temptations held out by marine store dealers carrying on business in this way, and the neglect to make proper entries, the magistrates inflicted the low fine of GBP 5 on Richards, besides 11s. expenses.
FAT PIG - Mr. Henry THOMAS of Treswithan, in the parish of Veryan, killed a pig on Monday last which weighed 703 lbs.
HELSTON ? It appears that a report has been circulated for some time past, that this borough has been of late in an unhealthy state. In contradiction of this Mr. WEARNE writes us to state that the mortality of that borough has not at all exceeded its ordinary rate, and especially with respect to fever; that within the sub-district of Helston, comprising a population of 5,000, only one fatal case of fever has occurred during the last six months.
EARLY LAMBING - A ewe belonging to Mr. HODGE, of Veryan, had two lambs on Friday last.
APPOINTMENT - Mr. C.J. KINSMAN, son of Lieutenant KINSMAN, R.N., has obtained a commission in the Marines, and been selected for the Artillery company, within six months of his admission, instead of the usual two years. In his first examination, we understand he answered every paper, and obtained the maximum number of marks within half the time allowed each day. Mr. Kinsman was prepared by Dr. DRAKE, of St. Austell.
TESTIMONIAL - The friends of the temperance cause, residing in Truro, have recently presented to Mr. James UREN, of that town, a handsomely bound quarto volume of the Holy Scriptures, as a testimony of their appreciating of his untiring zeal for nearly twenty years, to promote the principles of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors as beverages.
PENZANCE QUARTER SESSIONS - The Winter Quarter Sessions for this borough were held on Friday last, before Mr. BEVAN, recorder. The following magistrates were also on the bench; The Mayor (Mr. T. COULSON), Mr. W. BORLASE, and Mr. J. BATTEN. There was no prisoner for trial, a circumstance which has occurred thrice since January, 1856. The gaol, too, has been empty for a considerable time during the past three months. The Mayor, as is customary on such occasions, presented the Recorder with a pair of white kid gloves.
St. WENN - An accident of a very serious nature occurred at Treganetha, in this parish, to Henry BRENTON, the blacksmith residing in the village. It appears that the poor fellow was engaged in his workshop on the evening of the 30th ult., putting some hoops on a cask, a person named Thomas BEST assisting him. Some horses were standing in the shop waiting to be shod near where Brenton was at work about the cask, and when in a stooping position he received a violent kick on the head from one of them. The kick was so sudden and unexpected, that it was not until the poor man was laid prostate and insensible, that his companion Best was aware of the accident.
Mr. Moorman, surgeon, of St. Columb, was soon on the spot, when it was found that Brenton had received a frightful fracture of the skull and scarcely any hope was entertained of his surviving the accident. But under the skilful treatment of Mr. Moorman, we are glad to find he is progressing favourably.
ACCIDENT - On Tuesday last, as Captain COOPE, son of the Rev. W.J. COOPE, of Falmouth, was driving along Dunstanville Terrace, with a friend in a dog-cart, the horse shied and pitched them out, when Capt. Coope had his leg broken in two places. He was immediately taken home and was attended by Mr. Bullmore, and we hear is progressing well.
DEATH FROM BURNING - On Saturday the 27th ult., Catherine WILLCOCKS, daughter of Mr. James WILLCOCKS, of Callington, aged six and a half years, caught her clothes on fire and ran into the street, Mr. MATTHEWS, office of excise who was passing at the time, immediately took off a loose overcoat which he was wearing and wrapped tightly around the child and extinguished the flames, but the injury sustained was so great that death terminated her sufferings on Monday the 5th instant. A coroner's inquest was held on the same day and a verdict in accordance with the circumstance returned.
CORONER?S INQUESTS - On Wednesday an inquest was held at the Railway Inn, Truro, before Mr. John CARLYON, county coroner, on the body of John PHILLIPS, labourer, aged sixty-seven years, who was found dead in a hayloft near the viaduct at Carvedras, on Tuesday morning, by the ostler of the Globe Inn, who went there to throw down some fodder for his master's cattle. The deceased had formerly been in good service, but of late he had sunk into idle drunken habits, and had no place that he could call his home. He was consequently in the habit of sleeping in outhouses. He had evidently gone into the loft in question on Monday night for that purpose, and it being a very cold night, and the doors of the loft being wide open, it was clear that he had died from want and exposure to the weather. Verdict accordingly.
An inquest was held by Mr. Gilbert HAMLEY, county coroner, on Friday last, at Bodmin, on the body of Jane CLEMES, who was found dead in her bed on the preceding morning. Deceased had been unwell for some time, but showed no appearance of increased illness up to the usual bed time of her family on the previous evening. Verdict, "died from natural causes."
Letter to the Editor
Sir - Convinced that it is not your desire that the West Briton should be the means of giving to the public false information, or conveying wrong impressions, I take the liberty of setting you and them right on the matter of one of your paragraphs, contained in your last Friday's number, and headed "Clerical Oppression."
I begin my explanation by saying that there is scarcely a single word of truth in the whole paragraph. Philip HAWKE was not summoned for "absenting himself from the parish church" nor "for neglecting to appear at the complainant's dinner table in the kitchen." Strange times ours would be indeed if the law made a man amenable for such trifles!
He was summoned as the complainant's hind for absenting himself from his work on three several occasions, (former delinquencies of a similar kind having been overlooked and forgiven) and on those occasions neglecting the duties which attached to his situation as hind.
The bench did not "hear both parties" - the defendant was never called on for his defense and never uttered a word in the court for the case was dismissed before his defence was needed - and for this reason - not, as your paragraph has it, "because the bench were of opinion that the proceeding was one which ought never to have been brought before them" but on a legal point. Hawke was the complainant's groom as well as hind, and not being solely a servant employed in husbandry the case did not come within the cognisance of the bench.
The circumstances of the defendant "being the son of a respectable farmer," as to his being "applied to by Mr. Barton," as to the "amount of his wages," and the "motive he had for entering Mr. Barton's service" "his giving notice to leave it", or his "master's chagrin," not one syllable of this was "communicated to the bench". The whole details are evidently communicated to you by a prejudiced correspondent. Perhaps I should be justified in saying, by one who has no respect for truth. In confirmation of what I have written I place my name in your hands to be used according to discretion. So far as the public are concerned, it will be sufficient to subscribe myself,
Sir, your obedient servant,
One of the Magistrates on the Bench at St. Columb
January 3rd, 1857
QUARTER SESSIONS
TRIALS RESUMED
ELIZABETH CHAMPION was charged with stealing a pair of trowsers, the property of Francis BURROW, at Redruth, on the 10th of November. Prisoner went into prosecutor's tailor's shop and asked to look at some jackets; a pair of trowsers was afterwards missed and found at prisoner�s house; it did not appear that her husband had any knowledge of what she had done. Verdict, GUILTY.
There were two other indictments against the prisoner, for stealing from John COCKING, at Redruth, and from Thomas LEGGO; but these indictments were not prosecuted.
WILLIAM BROWN was charged, for that being a servant to Joseph THOMAS, of Truro, he stole a quantity of oats his property; and in a second count the property was laid as being in the possession and power of the master. Mr. SHILSON conducted the prosecution, and Mr. STOKES the defence.
Evidence was given in this case at considerable length. It appeared that Mr. Joseph Thomas had sold a quantity of oats to Mr. Timothy SARAH, of Pentewan, in the parish of St. Austell; and on the 8th of August last, he directed prisoner, who was in his employ, to take thirty Cornish bushels to Mr. Sarah in his (Mr. Thomas's) waggon. They were sent from prosecutor's stores in twenty bags, and Thomas CLEMENTS and Christopher NANCOLLIS, in the employ of prosecutor, gave evidence of the delivery of the twenty bags to prisoner from prosecutor's stores.
It appeared that on their arrival at Pentewan, Mr. Sarah desired his son to receive the oats from prisoner; he received, however, but nineteen bags, and on looking into the waggon he saw there another bag, which he told prisoner belonged to his father; upon which prisoner said it did not, it belonged to Mr. Thomas, of Grampound. Mr. Sarah, jun., asked him why he had not left it at Mr. Thomas's, Grampound, being on his way to Pentewan; to which prisoner replied that he forgot to do so. Prisoner left Mr. Sarah's premises, and afterwards, on his way to St. Austell, met Mr. Craggs's van of Mevagissey, upon which he sold a bag of oats he had in the waggon to Mr. Edmund Craggs, the carrier, for 7s.6d.
Mr. E. CRAGGS said prisoner told him he had been to Mevagissey, and had a bushel more than the owner would take; that the oats were Mr. Thomas's and that it was his waggon; and that if he (Craggs) would leave the bag at Mr. Thomas's at Grampound, prisoner would call for it, as he was coming there with a load of oats next day. It further appeared that on Mr. Sarah finding he had only nineteen bags instead of twenty, he wrote to Mr. Joseph Thomas, at Truro, who on the 12th day of August spoke to prisoner on the subject, and accused him of stealing the bag, containing a bushel and a half. He admitted that he sold it to Craggs for 7s.6d.
The prosecutor was closely CROSS-EXAMINED by Mr. STOKES, and admitted that he did not take steps for apprehending prisoner on the 12th of August; he said he told him he should prosecute him. About a fortnight after, early one morning he again saw him, and again about a fortnight after that, when prisoner was carrying something and appeared to be going away.
From further cross-examination, it appeared that Mr. Hichens, the agent of the Truro Shipping Company, had been to prosecutor about some teas lost from the Truro quay, and it was after that prosecutor caused prisoner to be apprehended. Prisoner had been working on the Cornwall Railway near St. Germans, and prosecutor heard from prisoner's father that he was coming home at Christmas; when he came home he had him apprehended. After Mr. Hichens had asked about the teas, prosecutor inquired where prisoner was, and Hichens refused to tell. The bushel and a half had been sent by Craggs to Sarah, by advice of prosecutor through Mr. COLLINS, of Church-lane, Truro, Craggs's father-in-law.
These were the main facts of the case; and in defence Mr. STOKES submitted that Thomas ought not to have brought this prosecu
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16 JANUARY 1857, Friday
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
THE F.B.H. BALL
Those who were present at the ball given by Miss BRUNE, at the Council Hall, Truro, four years since, had their recollections of that brilliant reunion most pleasantly revived on Thursday last, at a similar entertainment in the same building, to which the Master and Members of the F.B. Hunt had done the county the compliment of inviting its leading inhabitants. The invitations issued were as general as the accommodation afforded by the building would permit; the rooms, though crowded, were not inconveniently so, to the derangement of the dancers; while the numbers present - upwards of two hundred and thirty - contributed not a little to the liveliness and sustained spirit of the evening's amusement.
A large company had assembled by ten o'clock, who were received on their entrance by Mr. William WILLIAMS, Mr. Ennis VIVIAN, and other members of the F.B.H. and shortly after dancing commenced.
The ball was opened with the "Quadrille of Brides," so styled in compliment to the distinguished ladies who, on this occasion, made their first appearance since their marriage in their new character at a county assembly.
Lady Elizabeth St. AUBYN, with Mr. Frederick WILLIAMS as his father's representative, took the head of the quadrille, supported by Lady MOLESWORTH, with Mr. P. P. SMITH for her partner. At the opposite end Mr. ROBERTS danced with Mrs. MARRIOTT, whilst that well-known sportsman, Mr. Edward Hearle RODD led forth the Hon. Mrs. BRUNE, as the substitute for the bride Mrs. Brydges WILLYAMS, whose absence was a cause of muce [much] disappointment.
The flanks of the quadrille were supported by two couple on each side, four gentlemen of the hunt leading forth such fair partners as would give promise of a still larger bridal quadrille at the next gathering. The red coats of the gentlemen, and the beautiful bridal dresses of the ladies, made this dance most effective, and one of more than usual interest to the spectators.
A rapid succession of quadrilles, interchanged with the waltz, polka, and mazurka, allowed no rest - had they desired it - to the votaries of Terpsichore, and never was a ball witnessed in which the dancers perhaps formed so large a proportion to the rest of the company. These were again so well balanced, that neither belles nor beaux complained of any lack of partners; the latter too were sufficiently numerous to excuse those of riper years, if not riper discretion, from taking part in the fantastic activity of the evening, as they sometimes do - out of mere good-nature as they pretend - when young ladies, who would be columbines, are forced to remain stationary as "wall-flowers." The gallant officers from Pendennis contributed not a little to this state, which thus insured a full supply of the right men for the right places.
The mazurka was most effectively introduced and while many excelled as to the manner in which they acquitted themselves in this elegant dance, it is no disparagement to them to notice how Lord VALLETORT and Miss Charlotte BULLER imparted to it that additional grace, which riveted the eyes of all beholders, and is said to have inspired many imitative attempts at home since that evening's exhibition.
About twelve o'clock the doors of the supper-room were thrown open, which was arranged in a style and profusion which showed no expense had been spared, while a closer acquaintance revealed an essential excellence, which equally proved that the experienced taste of the members of the F.B. H. had been extensively exerted to do honour to their guests. A magnificent bridal cake, rising aloft over all like a miniature Mont Blanc in all its snowy purity, was the crowning ornament of this banquet.
The supper caused but little interruption to the dancing, while it imparted to it additional spirit as the night rolled on, and it was three o'clock before any real signs of departure were observable.
A freer space, however, only seemed to call forth more active exertions, and "Sir Roger de Coverley" and a country dance were not accepted as a finale, but the waltz and polka were renewed, and the company would probably have moved on to some still more "wavering morrice," had not the band read their usual riot act of dispersion, and bid them at half-past five put on their cloaks, to the tune of "God Save the Queen," which enabled some of the more distant guests to reach home in time for the early family breakfast.
Mr. EMIDY's band, of Truro, was engaged for the occasion, which has greatly improved of late in its strength and execution. A little more encouragement and practice at such entertainments, will doubtless lead to still greater excellence, and the correction of some minor defects. The brass department was felt to be rather too loud, and to interfere with the social conversation of the elderly folk, and the softer talk of the younger, so that sometimes it is believed even a proposal would scarcely have been heard. The Emidy family can easily remedy these inconveniences.
It is but justice to add that every one present seemed thoroughly to enjoy the liveliness of the scene, and never was a ball kept up with greater spirit. All were equally sensible of the great pains which had been taken by Mr. William WILLIAMS and the other members of the hunt to make the entertainment as effective as possible, and few were satisfied in taking their departure without personally expressing to Mrs. William Williams, their sense of the pleasure they had received, and congratulating her and the ladies who had more specially rendered their assistance, on the complete success which had attended their exertions. Such an entertainment must be felt as a compliment not only to those who were actually present, but to the society of the county at large, and as a handsome tribute on the part of the Members of the F.B. Hunt towards promoting its festivities.
We should add that the Council Hall and suite of ten rooms were tastefully decorated, under the superintendence of Mr. John Nankivell JULIAN, builder, Truro, with evergreens and furze, in designs and festoons, interspersed with roses made by the ladies connected with the hunt. The whole was brilliantly illuminated by about 600 gas jets and 500 wax candles. The supper was laid in the Town Hall on a table of sixty feet in length, and was provided by Mr. CUTHBERTSON of Exeter.
The entrance to the ball-room was through the corridor which was also used as a second dancing-room, the end dressed in furze in imitation of a brake, from the midst of which a stuffed Reynard very naturally looked out. In the principal room we also noticed the brush and head of several foxes. At the entrance of the corridor, CONROY, the huntsman, and the "whip" of the hunt stood on either side, in full costume.
The suite of rooms was readily placed at the disposal of the F.B.H. by the Mayor of Truro, Mr. Edward MICHELL, who, we have reason to believe, is ready to allow them to be used for any public object.
BODMIN - The third annual musical entertainment of the Bodmin Choral Society took place in the Union Hill on the evening of Monday last; the music was chiefly from the compositions of "Fawcett" and "Kent". The full band consisted of upwards of thirty performers, including the principal musicians of the Cornwall Royal Rangers. Under the energetic and judicious management of Captain VERCOE, the whole performance gave considerable satisfaction to a crowded room of the gentry and respectable inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood.
MISS HAY'S CONCERT - The second concert of Miss Louisa Foote HAY and her sisters at St. Austell was given in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening last. It was an excellent concert, though slightly attended.
FLUSHING ANNUAL BALL - The tradesmen of this place, with a number of their friends from Falmouth and Penryn and their vicinities, met on Thursday the 8th instant, in a spacious hall formerly used and still known as the Assembly-room, which was decorated with various devices and evergreens, and embellished with numerous naval ensigns, presenting on the whole a lively appearance. Dancing commenced at nine o'clock, and was carried on with great spirit till an early hour, with the introduction also of songs and recitations. The party dispersed highly gratified and anticipating many such entertainments.
MARRIAGE LICENCES - The Chancellor of this Diocese has fixed the cost of licences for the future at GBP 2.7s.5d.
TESTIMONIAL TO A CLERGYMAN - the parishioners of Constantine assembled at the church-town, on Monday last, to present to the Rev. James MAYNE, a handsome silver tea-service, which had been liberally subscribed for by them as a testimonial of their respect and affection for him as the curate of the parish, which office he has served for the last eight years. We understand that Mr. Mayne is about shortly to remove to the curacy of Harberton, near Totnes, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the appointment of the Mr. RICKARD, who succeeds the late Rev. Edward ROGERS, as the vicar of Constantine.
LAUNCH - On Saturday last, there was launched from the building yard of Mr. TREDWEN, Padstow, a handsome schooner, named the "Star of St. Agnes," purchased by Mr. M. T. HITCHENS, of St. Agnes.
TRAVELING EXTRAORDINARY - On the arrival recently of the Fairy omnibus, at the Chapel Hill-gate, Truro, from Hayle, it was observed that there was a fowl roosting on the fore axle. The bird, a fine Cochin China hen, was immediately captured, and was recognized by the guard to belong to the inn yard at Hayle, to which place it was conveyed by return of post.
DEATH OF THE JUDGE OF THE CORNWALL COUNTY COURTS - We regret to announce in our obituary of this week, the death of George Granville KEKEWICH, Esq., Judge of the County Courts of Cornwall, which melancholy event took place at his residence at Exeter, on the 7th last, after a short illness, he having presided over the courts of last month.
The learned gentleman, who had attained the age of fifty-five, was educated at Winchester and Exeter College, Oxford, and was for many years a member of the Western Circuit, and one of the revising barristers for Somersetshire and Dorsetshire.
On the creation of the County Courts in 1846, he was appointed Judge of the Cornwall Circuit, and he so assiduously and conscientiously discharged the duties of his office as to gain the respect and esteem not only of the successful, but of the unsuccessful suitors also, in the various courts over which he presided. He was untiring at getting at the truth, so as to arrive at a just decision; and although he never allowed his kind-heartedness to over-rule his duty, we have heard of more than one instance of his purse being open to the poorer suitors.
We understand that the father of the lamented gentleman, who is still living, is uncle to Samuel Trehawke KEKEWICH, Esq., of Penmore, near Exeter, and was formerly a judge at the Cape of Good Hope.
At the court held at Penzance, on Tuesday last, by the highly respected Recorder of that borough, Charles Dacres BEVAN, Esq., the professional gentleman, out of respect to the memory of the departed judge, adjourned all the cases in which they held briefs to the next court, and the like course was observed at the court at Helston on Monday last.
At the court of Penzance, on Tuesday last, Mr. R. MILLETT, as the senior solicitor present, expressed in a neat speech, the respect in which he and his brother professionals held Mr. Kekewich; and at the Falmouth County Court, on Saturday, a similar feeling of deep regret at the unexpected demise of Mr. Kekewich, was expressed by the solicitors present.
THE LATE CAPTAIN HAMBLY - The funeral of Captain A.J.B. HAMBLY, of the Chatham division of the Royal Marines, took place on Thursday the 8th instant, and was conducted with all the military honours usually observed on the occasion of the burial of an officer of rank. The deceased officer, who had been twenty years in the service of the Royal Marines, died at his quarters in the barracks, from which his body was subsequently removed to Melville Hospital, where the procession was formed.
In addition to the officers of the Royal Marines a large number of naval officers belonging to the ships of war lying at Chatham, with the officers of the provisional battalion and the Royal and East India Company�s Engineers attended. Capt. Hambly entered the corps of Royal Marines in 837, his commission as second lieutenant bearing the date of August 1st of that year. He obtained his company in 1851.
In 1842 the deceased officer served in the Chinese expedition, where he was severely wounded. He also served on board the "Monarch" in the Baltic during 1854, and afterwards in the Pacific station until invalided home in May last. Times, February 9th. (The deceased was the eldest son of the late Capt. Hambly, R.N., who formerly resided for several years at Penryn.)
DAMAGE TO SHIPPING AND LOSS OF LIFE - We regret to state that much damage to shipping, with loss of lives, occurred on the coasts of this county during the violent gale on Saturday night and Sunday morning last. We have received the following from our correspondents:
Scilly - On the 10th instant, at eight o'clock, p.m., the wind commenced blowing a gale from the W. to W.N.W., which soon assumed the force of a storm, blowing until five o'clock, a.m., on the 11th instant, with much more force than it has blown here before for the winter. The ships in port rode out the gale well. ..
Falmouth - the ship "Columbus", which was driven ashore off St. Mawes Castle some weeks since, laden with barley, was floated off on Saturday last, and taken in tow by two pilot boats, but could not be got to Mylor pool as was intended. [There was no steamer in harbour to take her in tow; she was beached higher up the roads, and will be ultimately got off.]
Newquay - On Sunday last this place was visited with a heavy gale from the N.N.W., and at daylight a large barque was discovered about three miles off shore heading to the westard. [She disappeared from sight, but was seen again about half a mile of the Head. They came to anchor, but was then seen to be drifting fast towards the shore. Two boats were manned, and also the Coast Guard boat, and went off to their assistance.
When they reached the ship all the crew except the captain and one man were in their boats, ready to leave. Great praise is due to Captain Wm. DARKE, of Newquay, and Mr. LIDSTONE, R.N., and the boats, crews, who immediately got on board and set all the canvas they could, or she would have been ashore in a few minutes. She proved to be the "Transit," Captain NICHOLLS, from Cardiff for New Orleans, with 700 tons of iron on board. She had lost her main yard in the gale; the captain state she parted her chain cables about 2 a.m.
Padstow - [a ship was seen trying to gain the harbour, when her boat was lowered, and the crew pulled toward shore, but the boat was lost, and all the crew drowned. A second ship sent a boy about 13 years of age on an errand to Padstow; he returned to the ship and was within hailing distance but was not noticed in the storm. The boat was found in Hell cove, but his body has not been found.]
RUAN HIGHLANES PETTY SESSIONS - At the petty sessions held at Ruan Highlanes in the parish of Ruanlanyhorne on Monday last, Richard BEARD and George BEARD were fined two pounds and costs for assaulting the constable of Tregony in the performance of his duty. Also Henry TUCKER, labourer, of Grampound, pleaded guilty of stealing fowls the property of Mr. Henry CROGGAN, of the same place; he was committed to the county gaol for two months, hard labour.
Truro POLICE - On Thursday last, before the Mayor and Mr. PADDON and Mr. CHAPPEL, magistrates, John HARRIS, alias "Probus Jack" was fined 5s. and costs for being drunk, and violently assaulting Jane HICKS, servant at the New Inn, Kenwyn-street, on the previous night. A similar fine was inflicted on Nicholas ANDREW, of Tregony, for being drunk and disorderly in the streets.
ACCIDENT - On the evening of Wednesday the 27th instant, a man named BASHER, in the employ of Mr. TROUNSON, hay merchant, of Cury, was returning from Penzance with a waggon and two horses, and when near Breage vicarage, he fell from the waggon and broke his thigh. He was discovered lying in the road, and conveyed to the Union House, Helston. Basher, who was intoxicated, had been previously cautioned by parties on the road as to his reckless driving.
CORONER'S INQUEST - The following inquests have been held befoe Mr. GOOD, county coroner:
On Wednesday, the 7th instant, at Gunnis Lake, in the parish of Calstock, on the body of Francis WARNE, four months old, found dead in bed about four o'clock on the previous morning.
It appeared from the evidence that the child had been placed in bed with its parents at eleven o'clock on Monday night; it was then quite well, and so far as was known remained so until four o'clock in the morning, when the mother awoke and found the infant dead by her side.
There were some slight appearances observable not altogether satisfactory, but after a careful examination of the body by Mr. WOOD, surgeon, who gave it as decided opinion that the child had died from natural causes, the jury returned a verdict to that effect. The parents, who appeared to be very respectable people, lost a child under similar circumstances about a year and a half ago.
On Saturday, at Moorwinstow, on the body of George JOPE, aged 65. The deceased was a farm labourer in the employ of the Rev. R. S. HAWKER, and on Tuesday afternoon last, whilst employed in feeding a threshing machine, his hand and arm were so much crushed as to render it necessary to amputate the limb, which was performed on the following morning by Messrs. KING and DINHAM, surgeons of Stratton, but the poor fellow survived the operation only a few hours; he appeared never to have rallied from the time of receiving the injury, and died about five o'clock on Thursday evening. Verdict, "accidental death."
PENZANCE, appellant: St. MARY TRURO, respondent.
This was an appeal against an order made by the Rev. T. PHILLPOTTS and Col. POLWHELE, county magistrates, for the removal of Emily and Edwin JOHNS from the parish of St. Mary, Truro, to the borough of Penzance. Mr. CORNISH, for appellants, stated that both parties had agreed to send a case to the Poor Law Commissioners, and to abide by their decision. In the mean time, he applied to enter and respite the appeal until the next Quarter Sessions. Granted.
FALMOUTH, appellant, Mr. STOKES and Mr. GENN; PENRYN respondent, Mr. SHILSON and Mr. CORNISH (for Mr. E.J.B. ROGERS, of Penryn). Mr. Genn moved the appeal, which was against an order dated 27th of November last, by J.B. READ and Sampson STEPHENS, Esqrs., magistrates, for the removal of George TREGASKIS from the borough of Penryn to the borough of Falmouth.
Mr. Shilson stated respondent's case, and called in support of it the pauper GEORGE TREGASKIS; BENJAMIN PELLOW, who had served an apprenticeship as a wheelwright with the late Mr. WYNN, of Falmouth; and HARRIET FURSEY, daughter of the late John TREGASKIS, pauper's brother. It appeared that the order of removal was founded upon an alleged settlement by hiring and service of the pauper with the late Mr. JAMES WYNN, of Falmouth, who formerly kept the Royal Hotel, and had his own blacksmith's and wheelwright's work done on the premises.
In the grounds of removal it was stated that the pauper was hired by Mr. Wynn at GBP 9 per year, and that he was in Mr. Wynn's service ten years, his hiring commencing in 1801; and the evidence of pauper and Mr. PELLOW, who is now a farmer, was that pauper lived in Mr. Wynn's house, and had his meat and slept there.
It appeared, however, from Pellow's testimony, that the pauper's evidence before the removing magistrates was a mistake as to his service commencing in 1801, because Pellow, who went as an apprentice to Mr. Wynn in 1812, recollected the pauper being there at that time, and continuing with Mr. Wynn during the five years of Pellow's apprenticeship, and afterwards.
The first question therefore arising was as to the time when the service of pauper really commenced; and as the pauper's present evidence (differing from what he gave before the magistrates) was that he commenced hiring and service in 1808, and it was shown by Pellow's evidence that it could not have been in 1801, Mr. Shilson, on the part of respondents, applied to have the grounds of removal and examinations amended, and 1808 substituted for 1801, as the commencement of the hiring and service.
Appellant's advocates resisted this, as being a very wide alteration; but the COURT, after hearing what there was to be said on both sides, decided on making the correction.
The next point was as to the validity of the hiring and service. Mr. STOKES argued from the pauper's manifest want of memory in giving his evidence, that he was not to be relied upon with regard to the nature of his hiring, any more than as to its date, of which he had given different accounts; and Mr. Stokes submitted that respondent's case had broken down. The CHAIRMAN, however, thought sufficient had been shown by respondents for appellants to be called upon to answer it.
Mr. Stokes then called Mr. Robert P. WYNN, son of the late Mr. Wynn, with the view of showing that the pauper was hired for weekly wages, and not by the year, and that his wages were 3s. a week. Mr. Robert Wynn recollected the pauper coming to his father's in 1809 or 1810, to work as a boy in the smith's shop with his brother John TREGASKIS, who was a married man, and lived out of the house.
Mr. R. Winn believed the reason the boy George Tregaskis slept in the house was, because he was sometimes wanted to ride expresses. Mr. Wynn also gave evidence as to the payments made to John Tregaskis and his brother the pauper; but the COURT did not think his evidence conclusive as to the point of weekly hiring and wages, and after hearing Mr. Shilson in reply, commenting on the whole of the evidence, the magistrates retired from the court, and on their return, the CHAIRMAN said the Bench were unanimous in confirming the order, but they disallowed the costs.
SECOND COURT
Thursday, JANUARY 8 - Before C.B.G. Sawle, Esq., M.P.
JOHN TIPPETT, 15, was charged with stealing 8 lbs of miners candles, the property of William BARRETT and others. Mr. Cornish (for Mr. Shilson) conducted the prosecution.
William BARRETT stated that he works at Boscundle mine, near St. Austell. On Saturday the 29th November, he had 16 lbs. of candles, which he placed in three chests; one of the chests contained 8 lbs. The chests were in a building called the barracks, just above the engine-house. It was an open building, but the chests were locked. On the following Monday morning, he found the chest containing 8 lbs. had been broken open, and all the candles were stolen.
Eliza BONE, who works at Boscundle mine, saw prisoner there on Saturday afternoon the 29th of November; he told her he was going to the engine-house; that he had been drinking grog all the forenoon, and that he was not working anywhere.
John CLARKE, miner at East Crinnis, on the 29th November, met prisoner on the turnpike-road coming from the direction of Boscundle mine, a few minutes after five o'clock. He came up to shake hands with witness, and as he was doing so, witness saw two candles inside the skirt of his coat hanging down; he had a bundle in his hand. When witness shook hands with him, he fell back, appearing to be tipsy; his bundle fell on the ground, and a lb. of miners' candles fell out of it. A young man present called JOHN DUMBLE said to him, "You have been stealing candles again and you'll be hanged for it." Prisoner swore out that he did not care for that; he then took up the candles and went off.
George WEBB, miner of St. Blazey, was at the Britannia Inn on Saturday evening the 29th of November, and saw prisoner there drinking grog. Witness asked him where he got his money from to spend so freely. He replied that he had 10s. pay that day from Par Consols, and he had spent nearly the whole of it. Prisoner left the house, and in consequence of what witness had heard he went after him, and found him at the end of the house with a bundle in his hand and candles in his pocket. He brought him back to the Britannia, where prisoner said he had not got a candle about him; but witness turned up the end of his coat, and there were candles protruding through a hole. Witness told him he believed he had been stealing candles, and he should make a prisoner of him. Prisoner begged him to let him go, and said his mother would give him 30s. if he would do so.
William WEBB, brother of the last witness, had prisoner in charge, and asked him where he got the candles; he did not throw out any inducement to him. This was outside the door, and prisoner said he got them from a little mine over there, pointing in the direction of Boscundle; he said he did not know the name of the mine.
Elizabeth TRELEAVEN, wife of Richard TRELEAVEN, who keeps the Britannia Inn, said on Saturday afternoon, 29th November, prisoner was in her house drinking beer and grog, and he paid for it in candles. The Britannia was about a quarter of a mile from Boscundle mine.
The CHAIRMAN - Are you in the habit of receiving candles from boys in payment for liquor?
WITNESS - Yes, sir, from miners.
CHAIRMAN - Then I express my opinion that it is most improper for you to do so.
WITNESS - it is customary.
CHAIRMAN �-I don't care whether it is customary, it is most improper.
John VICARY, constable of St. Blazey, took the prisoner into custody, and found a mask in his pocket; he took charge also of 7 lbs. of candles, which were found in prisoner's possession.
John PUCKEY, mine agent at Par Consols, stated that prisoner did not receive 10s. pay from that mine in November last; he had not been employed there since September 1855.
This concluded the evidence, and the Chairman having summed up, the jury found the prisoner GUILTY. A former conviction was also proved against the prisoner, at the assizes in March last, for stealing candles, on his own confession, from Waters, Williams, and others. There was likewise a charge against him on the present calendar for stealing a coat and a handkerchief from James ROWE, at Tywardreath, on the 28th of November.
The CHAIRMAN told Mrs. Treleaven of the Britannia Inn, that he thought she must discontinue the practice of taking candles from boys in exchange for drink; if she did not she might get herself into a scrape; she must have known that this boy was of bad character. Mrs. Treleaven said she was informed that miners paid for their candles, and it was the usual practice in that neighbourhood to take candles from them at the public-houses; she was willing to discontinue the practice if others would do so. The CHAIRMAN said he was sorry to hear that it was the usual practice with the St. Blazey publicans; the sooner they discontinued it, the better.
On Friday the prisoner was sentenced by the Chairman (Mr. Lethbridge) who said the court had had a wretched character of him, although he was only fifteen years of age. He then sentenced the prisoner to FIVE YEARS� penal servitude, with a view to sending him to Parkhurst, where (said the Chairman) he would receive good instruction and advice.
JOHN WEDGE, 19, pleaded GUILTY to a charge of obtaining by false pretences, on the 2nd of January, from William Henry SOWDEN, at Camelford, a pair of trousers and a coat, with intent to defraud W.H. SOWDEN. One Month's hard labour.
ASSAULT ON A CONSTABLE
JAMES PARSONS, 20, was charged with assaulting PASCO GARD, a constable of the parish of Minster, while in the execution of his duty. Mr. CORNISH (for Mr. Shilson) conducted the prosecution; and Mr. GENN on behalf of Mr. STOKES, (who was engaged in the other court) defended the prisoner.
Mr. Cornish, having stated the cased, called Pasco GARD, constable of Minster, who said, on the 24th of November, being fair-day at Boscastle, I was sent for by two messengers to come to the Brig Inn, at eleven o'clock at night. When I came in I heard a great noise up stairs of people cursing and swearing. The house was full of men and women, and I went up stairs to a room which was full; there were about twenty people in the room, and two young men were stripped, with their jackets and waistcoats off; one was called KELLOW, and the other was James Parsons, the prisoner.
I took Kellow, asked him what he was making such a noise about, and tried to put him down stairs. He lay back at first, but afterwards he went down and I saw no more of him. The other man, Parsons, remained in the room, with several men holding him. I told him to leave the place, and begged him to put on his jacket. Persons present said I was Mr. Gard, the constable, and he must be quiet. I had at that time my staff in my hand, and showed it to him, and said, "my dear man why don't you be quiet."
He was in a very great rage, and had been drinking, and many others were in the same way. He said he did not care for the constable or all the men in Boscastle. The landlady said, if I would leave him quiet she would take him from me. I let him go and he left the room, but in about five or ten minutes after, I heard a great noise coming; I was standing near the door, which was pushed open, and the prisoner came in and struck me severely on the head.
A great many people came in with him, many bad ones, and the room was full in a minute. I recovered from the blow and held up the mace against Parsons, and he caught hold of it with his hand. I said I was a constable and required the peace. The people rushing in carried us along, and we both went down on the floor.
He struck me several times, but not while I was on the floor. The landlord called out to bring a candle, but those behind put out the candles as fast as they were brought; at last a light was brought in and the room was cleared. How I got up I don't know; after I got up, the prisoner made to strike me again.
CROSS-EXAMINED: I have been a constable two years. I showed the staff when I got up into the room. It was a small room; I should think there were twenty people there. I have been asked what I would compromise the matter for, and I said, five shillings; I did not get the five shillings.
Re-Examined: I was sorry to see the prisoner suffer for so many bad ones; I was ordered by the magistrates not to make up the case.
JOHN COCK, a boy, was at the Brig Inn on the night in question, and gave evidence corroborative of the assault; he said the prisoner came back with a mob of quarrymen.
William MARSHALL,landlord of the Brig Inn, stated that when Parsons left the house he knew Gard was a constable; the latter showed his staff. When Parsons left, there was a clear house; he came back, and there was a rush of people, and Parsons and the constable were "clenched" on the ground. I got into the room; the lights were in, but before I could render assistance, they were put out. I called for lights and several were brought, but the press of people at the door made them out. It was four or five minutes before a light was got into the room, and during that time Gard and Parsons were "clenched" on the ground; Gard was trying to get up. I could not see what was going on, but there was a great bustle in the room. When the lights were brought I helped up Gard, and then cleared the house. I saw the prisoner strike Gard once, but was not in the room to see him strike a second time.
Cross-examined: The people that came with Parsons were basket people and others at the fair; they were chiefly men, but there were some women.
Mr. GENN, for the defense, submitted that the first collision was a very harmless one between the parties, and that the second assault, when so many men came back with Parsons, must not be connected with the first. The impression sought to be conveyed by the prosecution was, that Parsons went out and came back with a mob on purpose to assault the constable, but there was no evidence of that, and it did not appear he knew the constable was then in the house. The constable himself did not consider the assault was a serious one, for he had offered to take 5s. to make it up; perhaps he knew he had been rather hasty, and had not shown the latitude generally given by constables at fairs.
The CHAIRMAN, in summing up, said it was absolutely necessary that the constables should be protected by the law in the execution of their duty, and he considered the constable in this case had acted with great discretion. The jury returned the prisoner GUILTY. The prosecutor said he thought the man was encouraged by others, and he begged the court would be merciful and not give him a severe punishment. The CHAIRMAN said the constable had acted very properly, and shown a kind disposition towards the prisoner.
On the following day the CHAIRMAN (Mr. Lethbridge), in passing sentence on the prisoner, said the court had heard a very bad character given of the neighbourhood of Minster, from which the prisoner came. He hoped this case would be a warning to the population, for if they assaulted constables, the court would punish such an offense severely. Sentence, Four Months� hard labour.
This concluded the business of the Second Court.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
The convicted prisoners were placed at the bar this morning, and sentenced by the Chairman, Mr. Lethbridge. The following were the sentences of those whose trials we reported last week:
GUILLAUME LOUIS PONCELET, for stealing money and a seaman's advance note from George RADFORD, of Falmouth. Three Months' hard labour.
JOHN PERRY, for stealing a jacket from William Henry SIMMONS, at Crowan, Three Months' hard labour.
WILLIAM THOMAS, for stealing potatoes from Thomas COLLINS, of Truro, Three Months' hard labour.
DOROTHY BRAY, stealing a gold ring from Mrs. MAY, at St. Columb Major, Three Months' hard labour.
ELIZA COMBE, for stealing a frock, ribbon, and comb from Annie Kate ARNALL, at Camelford, Three Months' hard labour.
MATTHEW HENRY TRURAN, stealing a gander from John MADREN, of Redruth, Four Months' hard labour. The Chairman said, if the Court found fowl stealing increasing in the county, they should increase its punishment.
HENRY CHESTERTON, stealing a pair of trowsers from Robert CLARKE, at Truro, Four Months' hard labour.
JOHN GRIMES, for stealing barley in the straw from James LUCAS, of Stratton, Four Months' hard labour.
JOHN ROBERTS, pleaded guilty of stealing three sovereigns from the boiler house of Wendron Consols, the property of Walter PERRY; Six Months' hard labour.
WALTER JOHN WILLIS, for stealing money from Jas. NICHOLLS, at Linkinhorne, Six Months' hard labour.
JOHN HUTCHINGS [printed as Jonh] - stealing a pig from William JULIAN, at St. Dennis, Six Months' hard labour.
WILLIAM BROWN, for stealing oats from his master Joseph THOMAS, of Truro, Six Months' hard labour.
ELIZABETH CHAMPION, for stealing a pair of trousers from Francis BURROW, at Redruth, (there being two other indictments against the prisoner and tried,) Six Months' hard labour.
JOHN CAMERON, for stealing articles from the dwelling-house of George MARTINS, at Ludgvan, Eight Months' hard labour.
ELLEN WILLIAMS, for feloniously receiving the stolen property from John Cameron, Six Months' hard labour.
JAMES WHEELER, for stealing money from the person of William ROBBINS, of Launceston, Eight Months' hard labour.
WILLIAM VINCENT, THOMAS MILL, and WILLIAM MILL, for breaking into and stealing from Dolcoath account-house. Vincent and Thomas Mill were each sentenced to Twelve Months' hard labour. William Mill, a boy, in consideration of his youth, was sentenced to One Month's hard labour, and to receive a whipping.
ELIZABETH FRANCIS, for stealing a coat and lilac print from John GEARY, at Redruth, (a former conviction being also proved), Nine Months' hard labour.
WILLIAM COOKEMAN, stealing a sheet and a shirt from Matthew SOWDEN, at Madron, (a former conviction being also proved), Four Years' penal servitude.
WILLIAM ADDISON, for an assault with intent, &c., on Mary TRELOAR, at Wendron, Twelve Months' hard labour.
This concluded the business of the sessions.
CORNWALL LUNATIC ASYLUM
The following document was read on the first day of the Epiphany Quarter Sessions, last week:
In compliance with the Lunatic Asylum Act 1833, the Committee of Visitors report to the Justices in Quarter Sessions assembled, that the county Lunatic Asylum contains, at present, accommodation for 286 patients, and that there are now 234 within its walls, viz. 116 males, and 118 females, and four males and one female out on trial.
The wards are in good order, and the patients appear comfortable; the officers are attentive, and the conduct of the servants is on the whole satisfactory.
The visitors regret to say that some severe cases of dysentery have again appeared during the past year; but it is to be hoped that the mode adopted for warming and ventilating the wards may prevent a recurrence of the disease.
In May last, two of the Commissioners in Lunacy visited the establishment, and reported as follows:
We have yesterday and today visited this Asylum, and have inspected all its wards and premises, and seen all the patients, 224 in number, viz., ten male and eight female private patients, and 117 male and 109 female paupers.
One of the male pauper patients made his escape yesterday evening after our visit, and has not yet been retaken.
Since the last visit of the Commissioners on the 20th July 1855, sixty-six patients, viz., two male and one female private patients, and thirty-two male and thirty-one female paupers had been admitted.
During the same period, thirty patients, viz. eleven males and nineteen female patients, have been discharged; of whom five males and eighteen females were recovered.
The number of deaths has been twenty-five, viz. seventeen males and eight females. The assigned causes of deaths do not appear to call for special observation. It appears by the Medical Journal that, since the last visit, four male pauper patients and one female private patient, and nine female paupers have been for short periods subjected to mechanical restraint, by means of strait waistcoats or by sheeting or similar methods confining them to the bed. The female private patient referred to has been restrained fourteen and one of the female pauper patients twenty-two times.
The general health of the inmates appears to be good. Eleven male and fifteen female patients were during the last week, registered as under medical treatment.
We found the patients, with few exceptions, free from excitement.
We are informed that seventy or eighty of the male patients and about fifteen females are usually employed in various ways - the male in gardening, agriculture, and trades, &c., and the females in needle-work, the laundry, and wards. All the repairs in the asylum (except glazing) are executed by the male patients and attendants, and all the shoes and clothes are made in the asylum.
We desire to bring under the consideration of the visitors what we think a defective arrangement as respects the female pauper patients. In consequence of the original construction of the building upon the radiating principle, the female pauper patients are distributed into twelve wards - six on the ground, and six on the upper floor - each under one nurse. In each ward, towards the centre, is a day-room, through which are associated dormitories or galleries. The result is that the patients are, during the day and at meals, divided into twelve classes - a subdivision not desirable. The associated dormitories are four in number - two on each floor. We submit the following recommendations, viz. -
1. That the two lower dormitories be converted into dayrooms.
2. That the beds now in those dormitories be placed in some of the present day-rooms and corridors.
One great advantage of this arrangement would be that each class of patients would, by day, be under the supervision of at least two nurses. The system would thus be associated to that adopted with good effect in the male pauper departments.
We suggest further that wooden doors be in all cases substituted for those at present of iron, and that they may be so hung as to open into the galleries and lie close to the wall. Our objections to iron doors are:
1. That they are unnecessary
2. That they suggest the idea of confinement
3. That in shutting they produce a prison-like sound
4. That patients striking against them are likely to injure themselves, and disturb the other patients.
We have also to observe that the present fastenings are of a defective and inconvenient construction.
We further recommend:
1. The disuse of wire guards to the windows.
2. The substitution, excepting in special cases, of fenders for the present fire-guards.
3. The introduction of more looking-glasses, especially in the lavatories and female dormitories.
4. That all bedsteads hereafter to be procured, the bottom be of sacking.
5. That more seats be placed in the grounds, and that the female airing-ground be better laid out in flower borders and walks.
We are glad to learn that a subscription is in progress for building a chapel. We are also glad to find that all the wards except one are now boarded, and that the ward referred to will shortly be so. We are informed that gas is about to be generally introduced.
Upon the whole, we found the asylum in a satisfactory state, and the patients suitably dressed, and clean in their persons, and the beds and bedding and apartments generally in creditable order. Every effort appears to be made by the superintendent and resident physician to promote the comfort of the inmates.
Signed - R.W.F. LUTWIDEG, S. GASKELL, Commissioners in Lunacy
The suggestions of the commissioners have, for the most part, met the approval of the visitors, and they will be gradually carried into effect; but the visitors see no reason or substituting wood for the iron doors in the original building.
Since the last report the county has granted GBP 2000 for warming and ventilating the female wards, for baths, gas-fittings, and other purposes.
The warming apparatus has not yet been sufficiently tested to enable the visitors to offer a decided opinion on its efficiency. Hitherto the best produced has not been to the extent anticipated.
Dr. BOISRAGON has lately resigned the office of the medical superintendent and become the proprietor of a private lunatic asylum; and as the visitors have therefore had to elect another medical officer, their choice has fallen on Mr. RICHARD ADAMS, of the Rainhill Asylum, his testimonials and experience having been such as to justify the visitors in selecting him out of forty-seven candidates for the office.
In consequence of the great addition to the patients and the increased responsibilities of the visitors, it has been thought desirable to add to the number of the committee, and the consent of the subscribers having been obtained, it is proposed that there be fifteen visitors in future, instead of nine, viz. ten magistrates to act for the county, and five subscribers to represent the interests of the body. The subscribers having elected their proportion, it remains for the justices present to nominate the remainder.
23 JANUARY 1857, Friday
FREEMASONRY - The festival of St. John the Evangelist was
celebrated by the brethren of the Phoenix Lodge of Honor and Prudence, no. 415,
Truro, on Monday last. The brethren met
at the lodge room at noon, and after some preliminary business the W.M. for the
ensuing year, Brother Augustus Smith, of Tresco Abbey, was installed by the
P.D.P.G.M. of Cornwall, Brother Ellis, of Falmouth, assisted by the P.D.P.G.M.
Brother PEARCE, of Penzance, and the P.M.'s of the Phoenix Lodge. [names then
mentioned - Br. J.O. MAYNE, Br. Francis BASSETT, Br. MIDDLETON, Br. John MOYLE,
the Hon. and Rev. John Townshend BOSCAWEN, Br. W.G. POWNING, Br. Trewbody
CARLYON, Br. HARVEY, all invested as officers of the Lodge.] The Lodge was
subsequently closed down, and the brethren shortly before four o'clock
re-assembled at the Royal Hotel, where a most sumptuous repast was prepared by
Mr. PEARCE, consisting of everything which the most fastidious taste could
possibly desire, and the wines and dessert were as usual of the first-class
character. The usual loyal, and a number of Masonic toasts were drunk, and the
evening was passed with the greatest harmony and brotherly feeling. Several
visitors were present from the "Fortitude," No. 153, and the "Druids," No. 859,
and a visiting brother was also present from one of the New Zealand Lodges;
and, as a whole, the day, from the opening of the Lodge to the dispersion of
the brethren in the evening, passed off as one of the most pleasurable that
Masons only know how to appreciate.
TRURO IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION - At the ordinary meeting of
the commissioners, held on Tuesday last, a long discussion took place in
respect of complaints which had been repeatedly made by the inhabitants of
Pydar Street, of the effluvia emitted by Messrs. FERRIS's tan-yard; and also as
to the slaughter-house recently established behind Mr. THOMAS's premises, where
a larger number of bullocks are slaughtered weekly than in any other
slaughter-house in the town or neighbourhood.
It may be remembered that some time since, when a second visitation of
the cholera was apprehended, sanitary committees were appointed for the
districts into which the town was divided for sanitary purposes; and it was at
that time the unanimous opinion of those committees that no new slaughter-house
should be permitted in the town. The
commissioners on Tuesday had resolved that this recommendation of the committee
should be adhered to, and that Mr. Thomas should therefore be required to
forthwith remove the slaughter-house complained of.
It was also resolved that
the improvement committee should make the necessary inquiries with regard to
the nuisance complained of through Messrs. Ferris's tan-yard, and report to the
next meeting of the commissioners that such measures may be adopted as may be
deemed desirable.
PENWITH ANNUITANT SOCIETY - The general annual meeting was
held on Tuesday week at the Three Tuns, and (by adjournment) at the Corn
Exchange. The accounts produced by the secretary, Mr. G. H. Bellringer, showed
that GBP 9614.17s.10d. is invested in various ways, and there is in bank to the
treasurer's credit, GBP 533.10s. - making GBP 10,148.10s.10d. ....the
annuitants, 18; and the income GBP 1,080.3s.10d. GBP365 was paid to annuitants last year. Seven new members were admitted, and the
principal officers re-elected, and the board of Direction and Committee chosen.
After the transaction of business about forty members dined together at Hemmings'
Hotel, Mr. Pearce in the chair, Mr. Bellringer in the vice-chair, and appropriate
speeches followed.
WESLEYAN MISSIONS - On Tuesday the 13th inst.,
the anniversary services on behalf of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, were
held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Mevagissey. There was a public tea at five o�clock
in the vestry, and afterwards a public meeting in the chapel. The chair was
taken by Mr. KERNICK, of Charlestown, and the meeting addressed by the
ministers of the circuit, the Rev. Mr. SNELL, Independent minister, Mr. HILL,
and Capt. John FURZE. Both the collections, and the proceeds of the tea, were
in advance of last year.
TESTIMONIAL TO A TOWN MISSIONARY � A pleasing scene occurred
on Saturday afternoon last at the Old Castle, Pendennis, by the presentation of
a Silver Tea Service to Mr. Joseph KNIGHT, the Town Missionary of Falmouth.
About three o'clock many of the residents, as well as several of the
non-commissioned officers and gunners of the Royal Artillery, assembled in the
room appropriated to divine service, when Mr. MARSHALL, barrack department,
addressing Mr. Knight, said "Sir, - I feel honoured in being chosen by my
friends and comrades now around me to present you with a testimonial as a mark
of their esteem and respect for your kind and spiritual interest in their
welfare; for the comfort and consolation afforded by you to the sick in our
hospital, as well as the faithful cottage lectures on Sunday evenings. I feel
assured you will value the articles presented more as the emanations of warm
hearts than for their intrinsic worth."
Mr. Knight, who appeared much affected,
made an appropriate reply, after which Mr. PERKINS, (Royal Engineers) in
expressing the good feelings of the company, said they only wished they were
gold. The doxology was then sung, and the meeting closed with prayer by Mr.
Knight. The inscription on the articles, which was neatly engraved by a
non-commissioned officer, was as follows:- "Presented to Mr. Knight by the
military at Pendennis Castle, January 1857, as a mark of their esteem."
PENZANCE ANNUAL BALL - The annual Christmas Ball took place
on Wednesday the 14th instant, at the Assembly Room, Union-Street,
which was elegantly decorated for the occasion under the superintendence of Mr.
F. CORNISH, one of the stewards. There were 107 present, a larger assemblage
than has been known on any similar occasion for many years. Dancing commenced
about nine, and was kept up with unintermitted spirit and enjoyment until
nearly four the next morning. A new quadrille band, led by Mr. WEAVER, and
supported by some of the best local musicians, performed in a manner which was
universally admired. Mrs. BALL's refreshments also gave the utmost
satisfaction, and altogether the ball was one of the most successful that has
ever been known.
Local Intelligence,
BODMIN ANNUAL BALL - This ball took place at the Town Arms
Hotel, on Thursday the 15th instant (the use of the Guildhall having
been refused for this purpose). The
ball-room was most tastefully decorated with evergreens, and brilliantly
illuminated, and the refreshment rooms were also laid out in good style, and
tended to the comfort of all parties present. The first quadrille was led off
at nine-o'clock, and was followed in succession by waltzes, polkas, and other
dances, which were spiritedly kept up and maintained until near five o'clock in
the morning. Dr. MICHELL, M.P., was present, and appeared thoroughly to enjoy
the amusement. There was a numerous attendance, the youth of Bodmin being
joined on the occasion by friends from Truro, Wadebridge, St. Austell, and
other parts, and all united in the merry dance with the greatest hilarity and
enjoyment. Great praise and thanks are due to the quadrille band (Royal
Cornwall Rangers) for their excellent music, which afforded entire
satisfaction. The company were highly delighted with the ball, and the whole of
the arrangements, and expressed their mutual wishes to meet again on a similar
occasion.
CAMELFORD GLEE CLUB - An amateur concert was given last week
by the Camelford Glee Club, in the Town Hall, which was fashionably and
numerously attended. Mr. DEMMITT and the
Messrs. HAWORTH, of Exeter, gave their services, and each sang a song which
deservedly obtained an encore. Mr. Demmitt presided at the piano, and also
played two flute solos admirably. Mr. T. S. JONES sang the "Storm Fiend," which
brought an encore, and Messrs. HAWKEN and HAWKEY sustained their parts in the
glees effectively. It is pleasing to state that this, the first effort of the
club, went off remarkably well, and that the audience were unanimous in its
praise. Under the auspices and instruction of the worthy rector of Lanteglos, (to whom many thanks are due for the origin of, and music to, this club) great
advancement has been made by those who have joined in so pleasant and laudable
a pastime.
DR. SHAW'S ENTERTAINMENTS - Dr. SHAW has been giving his
entertainments on three evenings of the present week at the Assembly Room,
Truro. His first performance, on Monday night, was introduced by the ascent of
a fire balloon, from the High Cross, which threw out brilliant lights, and was
witnessed by hundreds of people.
Dr. Shaw's performances that night in the Assembly Room were
attended by a large assemblage, and much mirth and applause followed his clever "magical delusions", his singing in character, ventriloquism, and other
entertainments. Some of his curious "magic feats" were accompanied with explanations of the manner in which he is
enabled to deceive the sight of the spectators. The monochromatic and
polychromatic lights and their effects were exhibited; and the magnificent
colouring of the "fire cloud" was greatly admired. The entertainments were of a
very varied character, and afforded much amusement to the numerous company
present. Since the Wednesday evening's performance, we have received from Dr.
Shaw a statement that he had prepared that night a display of coloured fires on
an extensive scale; but in this he says, not only himself but the public were
disappointed, as the teetotalers, who had a meeting in the front Assembly Room,
refused to allow any one to pass through to the window to fire the train, so
that only the fires in the Cross could be ignited.
MR. H.W. SCHNEIDER, CHAIRMAN OF THE GREAT WHEAL VOR COMPANY - We observe that Mr. Henry W. Schneider, the chairman of the Great Wheal Vor
Company, who are working the most important tin mine in the world, employing
1400 men, has become a candidate for the representation of
Kingston-upon-Hull. Mr. Schneider is of
liberal opinions, and a free trader, and on that ground, as well as from his
being so largely connected with mineral interests, we wish him success in the
step he has taken with the view of entering Parliament. [The article also mentioned "Mr. Schneider has been among the first to
turn his attention to the mineral capabilities of Exmoor; his operations in
North Lancashire for the supply of hematite iron ore to South Wales, are on a
very large scale, and employ several steamers."
He is also "well known as president of the Anglo-Mexican Mint, and one
of the directors of the St. John del Rey company, the largest and most successful
gold company in the world." As a a large steam ship owner, a merchant, and
director of steam companies, Mr. Schneider has "advanced views on currency".]
THE TIDES - The highest tides of the present year will be
those of the 26th of February, the 27th of March, and the
25th of April, the 5th of September, the 5th
of October, and the 3rd of November, corresponding with a day and
half after the full and new moon, at or near the equinoxes. The highest tide
for the year will be that of the 27th of March.
SCHOONER LAUNCHED - On Saturday week, a clipper schooner,
called the "Marianne," of 200 tons burthen, built for Messrs. MICHELL and SON,
Truro, to be commanded by Captain DONALD, was launched from the yard of Messrs.
NICHOLLS and SON, at Fowey. She was named by Mrs. S. NICHOLLS, and glided into
her future element in good style, amidst the cheers of the spectators.
SALVAGE - An arbitration case under the Mercantile Marine
Act came before Mr. S. BORLASE and Mr. D.P. LeGRICE, at Penzance, on Tuesday,
referred to them by the consent of all parties interested. The "Frederick Wilhelm IV" was salved off
Scilly on the 15th, by Henry STIDDEFORD and six others, of the pilot
boat "Rapid", of Grimsby, Bryer, one of the Isles of Scilly. The pilots found the ship in distress, with a
French barque alongside, and part of the latter's crew on board. The Frenchmen
returned to their vessel and the Scilly men brought the "Frederick Wilhelm"
into Penzance harbour safe. They claimed GBP 600, but the Bench awarded GBP
150, each party to pay their own costs.
MONEY SECRETED - A few days since, an elderly female widow
of a warrant officer, called THOMSON, died at Saltash, after only a few days
illness. She had no relative in the
place but an aunt by marriage, who, in collecting her various articles of
clothing, &c., together, observed her stays to be missing, but after a more
diligent search found them under the bed-tie on which she had died; and in
examining them thought, from their appearance, there was money deposited in
them, and on ripping them open, found, to her great surprise, the sum of GBP
101 secreted under the lining, all of which was paid over to a brother of the
deceased, who resides in Exeter.
CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT - William PERRY, four years in the
service of Mr. E.S. POLKINGHORNE, of Penzance, brewer, as coachman and general
servant, has been committed to the Quarter Sessions by Mr. T. COULSON, Mayor,
and W. BORLASE, magistrate, for embezzlement.
It appears that Mr. Polkinghorne dealt for butchers meat with Mrs. Catherine
and Mr. Martin RODDA. The meat sent to his house one week was paid for the next
through Perry. Mr. Polkinghorne had sent Mrs. Rodda a sovereign to liquidate a
bill of 18s.4 � d., and Mr. Rodda a sovereign to pay 19s. 1d, both by Perry,
but they were not paid.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY - On Wednesday night the 14th
instant, about eight o'clock, Mr. HAMLIN, of Launceston, organist, on his
return from Callington to Launceston, when about one mile and a half from
Callington, on rather a lonely part of Hingston Common, was attacked by three
men, who pulled him off his horse, and cut away one of his pockets containing
between GBP 2 and GBP 3, which they made off with. A gold watch which Mr.
Hamlin was carrying either escaped their notice or did not suit their purpose.
Three suspicious characters were seen to pass Wooda Bridge Gate the same night.
PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE - The young vocalist the "Infant
Florence" had a narrow escape from a fearful death on Monday last, at Truro.
Mr. and Mrs. HAY, with the two children Alice and Florence, were proceeding to
the train in one of the Red Lion flys, when owing to the culpable negligence of
the driver, the opposite door to the one they entered by was left unfastened.
They were proceeding rapidly down the street, when it suddenly flew open, and
the little Florence was thrown out. Fortunately her father caught her by the
foot as she was falling, and held her firmly by it for upwards of one hundred
yards before the carriage could be stopped; but the fearful situation of the
poor child may be imagined, her head within an inch of the ground, and in
immediate contact with the hind wheel, which, had she not been so singularly
and providentially caught, must have passed directly over her head. The neglect
of the driver cannot be too highly censured, and we trust it will operate as a
warning to him, and others. We are happy to say, although much bruised and
frightened, the little creature escaped serious injury.
TRURO POLICE - On Wednesday last, JOHN GIDLEY, of
Pydar-street, Truro, was charged before the Mayor and Mr. CHAPPEL, with assaulting
Frederick DREW, sub-bailiff to the Truro County Court. It appeared from
complainant's statement that he went to Gidley's house on Tuesday evening last,
to levy a distress in pursuance of an order of the County Court. Gidley asked
what the distress was for; and Drew replied, "you know very well." Some words
followed, and Gidley turned round and struck Drew with his fist in the face.
The assault was witnessed by BRAY, an assistant to Drew. Mr. Reginald ROGERs,
the registrar of the Truro County Court, attended to watch the case. The
defendant was convicted, and fined 10s. and costs.
On Thursday, James DART and William TEAGUE, both of Truro,
were charged before the Mayor, and Mr. CHAPPEL and Mr. PADDON, magistrates,
with stealing two sovereigns from Samuel MASTERS, a sailor. On Tuesday evening
last, the two lads and the sailor were drinking together at different public
houses in the town, and about one o'clock on Wednesday morning they were met by
police constable PAPPIN, who saw them go in the direction of the quay, where
the vessel was lying to which the sailor belonged. On Wednesday the sailor
found that he had been robbed of his purse and two sovereigns; he gave
information at the police station, and police constable PAPPIN went and
apprehended Dart and Teague. Dart admitted that they had taken ten shillings
from Masters, but not two sovereigns; Teague said he had not taken anything
from the sailor but he had received half-a-crown from Dart, knowing it was
stolen. They were convicted under the Summary Jurisdiction Act; Dart was
sentenced to two months' hard labour and Teague to fourteen days' hard labour.
DISTURBANCE IN A CHURCH PORCH - A young man named GWINWELL,
of Tywardreath, and another person, were summoned to appear at the Perenpine
Petty sessions on the 12th instant, for making a disturbance in the
porch of Fowey Church on Sunday the 11th inst. Gwinwell, who
appeared to the summons, was fined including costs GBP 1.1s. to be paid in a
month, or go to prison. The other accused party did not appear, having
absconded.
CHARGE OF SMUGGLING - At the Guildhall, Falmouth, on the 14th
inst., before the Mayor Mr. BLIGHT, and Mr. ELLIS, magistrate, Capt. SOOSTE, of
the Danish ship "Prince Adalbert," appeared to answer a Customs' information,
suing for a penalty of GBP 100. The Collector of Customs at Falmouth appeared
for the Crown, and Mr. TILLY for the defendant.
Henry James WEBSTER, tide-surveyor, said: On the 8th
of January, after boarding the "Prince Adalbert," I asked Capt. Sooste as to
his stores, and he told me he only had 3,000 cigars. On searching the cabin I
found 175 more, which the chief and second mate had, and sealed them up. In the
meantime Thomas PASKO had been searching in the fore-hold, and on my coming
near he told me had just found a case, containing about seven boxes (23lbs.) of
cigars. I at once asked the captain whose they were, when he answered "The
crews'."
On asking the men, they said
they belonged to the captain; again I asked the captain, who replied "they are
my stores."
On being cross-examined by Mr. TILLY, the witness admitted that he
boarded the vessel before she was at anchor. That on the discovery of cigars in
the fore-hold he did not bring them to the captain for his inspection; nor was
it till the second time of asking, that he described the case to the captain,
when he at once admitted they were his ship's stores, and they might do their
best. Witness declined giving any opinion as to the value of the cigars.
Thomas PASKO, tidewaiter, said: On rummaging in the
fore-hold, I found an old case, containing 23 lbs of cigars. The mate told me
they were the captain's. They were concealed amongst the cargo.
Cross-examined by Mr. Tilly: The cargo, composed of coffee, &c., was in bags and cases. The case of cigars was not under the cargo;
never knew a box similarly placed to be intended for smuggling. The box was
concealed by old rope and cases. Full twenty minutes before he found the box,
which was loosely nailed down, an old rough case, which could easily be broken
open. It would contain a great deal more than it then held.
Mr. Tilly then ably addressed the court, stating that the
wretched trash, designated by the name of cigars, when produced, would utterly
negative the probability of their being intended to be smuggled, and rested his
defence on two grounds: - first, that the captain was in the port by
unavoidable accident, being compelled to put in from the sickness of his crew,
and that the vessel was not liable to forfeiture, by reason of having cigars in
an illegal package; and secondly, that the cigars found were bona fide ship's
stores, which had been used in the ship as such, and that they therefore came
under the exemption contained in the 27th section of the
Supplemental Customs Act, 1855, and the 214th section of the Consolidated
Act; and called Mr. C. SCOTT, the boarding-clerk of Messrs. BROAD and SONS, who
proved that the ship had received orders to proceed to London before she came
to anchor, but that the captain was unable to proceed, in consequence of the
illness of some of his crew, although the wind was fair.
Albert SWADGER, second mate, proved that the cigars found in
the case were the remains of 12,000 cigars, purchased in Denmark three years
ago, and had never been taken out of the ship, and were now reduced to 1,700,
from being from time to time issued to the crew, and that they were placed in
the fore hold, away from the others, because they had the worm. That the
captain, before his arrival, had been on deck three nights, and about a day or
two before they came to Falmouth, had given him orders to put all the tobacco
into one place, to be sealed up by the custom-house officers. That the mate
forgot it until they entered the harbour, when there was no time to attend to
the cigars, as the custom-house officers boarded the vessel before the anchor
was let go.
Mr. Tilly now ordered the cigars to be produced, when a
large rough case was brought into court, loosely fastened, which, on being
opened, was found to contain cigars of the commonest kind, in a wretched condition,
and covered with worms. Edward LAWRENCE
and Edward HAY, two of the seamen, corroborated the evidence of the preceding
witness. Mr. A. SPARGO, chemist, carrying on a large trade in cigars, proved
that the cigars in question were mere rubbish; that it would not be safe to
keep them near other tobacco, for they would impart the worm, and ruin the
whole. The Collector briefly replied to the case, pressing for a conviction.
The bench, however, immediately decided that the defendant was entitled to an acquittal.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Mr. Henry BRADFIELD wrote a letter to
the editor, regarding the Shipwrecked Sailor's Fund. Included in his message were these facts - "During the past year, 5995 persons suffering from shipwreck have been relieved
at a cost of GBP 5905; this large number being composed of 2368 widows,
orphans, and aged parents, and 3322 fishermen and mariners; and since the
formation of the institution, in 1839, the large number of 57,604 persons have
experienced the blessings of the society.".
MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENTS - On Wednesday the 14th
instant, at Redruth, an accident ....by which a poor woman named MARY HARRIS
lost her life. It appears that she was in the act of passing across a street
called Buller's-row, just as an omnibus from Falmouth was entering the town,
and another carriage going in a contrary direction. The evening was dark, and
no doubt she saw but the one vehicle. She was knocked down by the other which
she could not have seen, otherwise she might have avoided it, and the wheels
passed over her head. Mr. HARRIS, surgeon, was called in, who said he thought
it was a little bruise, and would soon pass off again. There seemed to be no
internal injury, but the poor woman gradually sunk and died on the second day
after the accident. There appears to be no blame attached to any one but
herself..Another correspondent says it is believed that if Buller's
Row, so near the Gas Works, had been lighted at the time, this fatal accident
would not have taken place. He states there is a very strong feeling upon this
subject, and it is believed that the inhabitants will have no objection to pay
a moderate and reasonable rate, so that the flourishing town of Redruth, Green
Lane, and Buller's Row shall be lighted with gas. The verdict of the coroner�s
jury on the above case was "Accidental Death".
CORONER'S INQUESTS -.
The following inquests have been held before Mr. Gilbert
HAMLEY, county coroner; on Friday at Padstow, on the body of a man washed
ashore near Trevose Head, on the day previous. From the evidence there was no
doubt but that he was one of the unfortunate crew of the "Alpha," of Jersey,
wrecked near Padstow, during the late gale. It was stated by one of the
witnesses, that on Sunday morning, from information he received, he went to Trevose
Head, and saw a vessel running for the shore, which was afterwards found to be
the "Alpha," of Jersey; on nearing the bay, she was signaled to run into the
bay, but from want of the main-sail lug she did not get so near into the bay as
she ought.
She was then signaled
to let go her anchor; she drifted one hundred fathoms before the anchor
dropped; and it was half an hour before the crew let go her second anchor,
which apparently had to be got up from below. By this time the tide had ebbed,
and the sea began to break very near her. The crew then began to get the boat
out, and a signal was hoisted on the west side of the bay, for the boat to come
towards it, and men were there ready with ropes around them to render
assistance. There was no other place in the bay in which a boat could land with
a chance of safety. The boat was kept alongside the ship ten minutes while the
crew were getting their clothes into her, and during that ten minutes the sea
had decreased amazingly. The boat then left the ship, and made an effort to
obey the signal, but the crew instantly stopped rowing. She then dashed into
the breakers, and was at once capsized; none of the crew were saved.
Had there
been a rocket apparatus, or a boat which could have been launched from the outer
Medross Rocks, the vessel could have been boarded before the sea broke so
heavily over her. It would be very desirable if a communication were effected
from the shore to the outer rock, and a boat kept there in case of emergency;
vessels could then be hailed and rockets thrown from this outer Island, in
almost every case of a vessel running for the Bay in distress. N.W. Gales are
the most dangerous on this coast, and the Polventen Bay is the only anchorage
during the ebb tide on the north coast of Cornwall. It is absolutely necessary
that a boat should always be kept there ready, as it would be impossible to get
a boat over the high cliffs, and even if got over, it would be dangerous to
launch her through the surf. A vessel anchoring at Polventon Bay on the ebb
would have a chance to run for Padstow on the next flood, and in the majority
of cases the crew would be safely got ahore even if the vessel were lost.
It
appeared from the evidence of three pilots called BLAKE, COBBLEDICK, and
FRENCH, that they went to the hills between one and two in the morning, and
that they left about five. Their statements were very contradictory; they all however admitted
having come away long before daylight, and before they were relieved by other
pilots. They admitted that it was their duty to remain at their posts until
twelve o'clock the Padstow Harbour Association having built two houses for them
about two years since, they having represented they wanted shelter. There are
fire places in both houses, so that they had no excuse for leaving their posts
during such a heavy gale. Mr. HAWKEN, the collector, at Padstow, stated that
there were six able pilots at the port, and that it was the duty of three of
them to be at the hills looking out, and in case of emergency or very rough
weather for all six to be there, and he considered that there was great neglect
of duty on the part of the pilots, in leaving the hills on Sunday morning
before daylight. The enquiry lasted a
considerable time.
Mr. BRUNE who has always felt a deep interest in the proper
regulations of the harbour was present, and it must have been satisfactory to
him, and to the public, to find that the life-boat, and all the apparatus
provided by the Padstow Harbour Association were in good order, and ready for immediate
use. The jury found that deceased was washed ashore at newtrain, and expressed
a hope that a boat and rocket apparatus would be placed on the outside of the
Medross Rocks, on the north of Polventon Bay, and they considered there had
been gross neglect of duty on the part of the pilots in leaving the hills long
before daylight, and high water on Sunday morning last during a heavy N.W.
gale.
On the 19th, at Port Isaac, on view of the body
of Mary ADAMS, who was found dead in her bed, and supposed to have died under
suspicious circumstances, it having been reported that a daughter with whom she
lived had ill used her, and had threatened that she should not live long after
Christmas.
It appeared from the evidence that deceased had been confined to her
bed three months, and was supposed to have been out of her mind; she was very
restless, and was continually hollowing on Friday last, and the daughter sent a
woman called Margaret BATE to a druggist's shop in Port Isaac, to get a
pennyworth of laudanum. This person being afraid to go herself, sent a little
girl to the shop, and she was supplied by a woman called GUMMOE, an assistant
in Mr. JOHNSON's shop; it was taken home, and the daughter in the presence of
Margaret Bate, mixed a portion of the laudanum with some sugar and water, and
give it to her mother about three o'clock in the afternoon. At five some tea
was taken to her, and she appeared very cheerful; she was seen again at twelve
o'clock, and was then apparently as well as usual.
The daughter and a servant
girl slept in an adjoining room, and in the evening the daughter went into her
room, and immediately came down stairs and told the servant, who was lighting
the fires, that she was afraid something had happened to her mother. A person
called Gregory TABB, who was passing by the door, was called in, and he went up
stairs and found her quite dead.
Mr. TREVAN, a surgeon practicing at Port
Isaac, stated that he had examined the body, and that he found every appearance
of a person who had died from the effects of a narcotic poison. There being no
evidence of any ill treatment on the part of the daughter, and several
witnesses having stated that deceased had been properly treated, and there
being but a small portion of the laudanum gone from the bottle, the jury
returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, that the child
died from taking an overdose of laudanum. [This is as written; not 'deceased',
but 'child'. Also, clearly "Solomon's shop" not "Johnson's". Perhaps this report actually covered two
cases?] The coroner sent for the assistants in Mrs. SOLOMON's shop, the
principal being absent, and cautioned them as to sending out poisons without a
label in future.
On the 20th, on the body of Ann ROBERTS, at
Roche, who went to bed on the previous night quite well, and was found dead in
her bed by her son in the morning. Verdict, "Visitation of God."
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
ALLEGED ASSAULT.
SIR - As numerous exparte statements of an assault, alleged
to have been committed by me against Mr. Mark Benjamin BENHAM, alias Mark BENJAMIN,
have appeared in the weekly and daily papers, and as such partial accounts are
calculated to do me injustice and injury, I have to request, until my defense
is heard, which will entirely exempt me and my servant (to whose fidelity I owe
my life) from blame, that your readers will suspend their judgment, especially
on evidence so contradictory as that adduced by the complainant's witnesses.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
J. M. WINN
13 Finsbury Square, January 19, 1857
DEVON
TAVISTOCK COUNTY COURT - At their court on Saturday, before
Mr. PRAED, the Judge, Mr. VERCOE, ad draper residing at St. Austle, who brought
43 plaints (tally cases) before the court at the last sitting, said he had an
application to make to his honor under the 22nd section of the 10
and 20 Victoria, to have the venue changed from that court to the Court at
Liskeard of all his cases that were coming on that day, on the ground that he
could not obtain a fair and impartial trial under his honor. The paper he held
in his hand was a copy of an affidavit which he had made to that effect..
His HONOR: I don't think I ought to entertain the
application in that form.
Mr. Vercoe: From my experience at the last court that I was here, I don't think
I can obtain an impartial hearing before your honor.
His HONOR: That is a matter of opinion.
Mr. Vercoe: Your honor has shown yourself very much interested.
His HONOR: How so?
Mr. Vercoe: I consider you did not act with impartiality, but took the part of
an advocate.
His HONOR: What is my interest as an advocate?
Mr. Vercoe: I am not aware of an interest, but your honor is unfair in your
ruling.
His HONOR: My interest is to do justice according to my conscience.
Mr. Vercoe: Conscience is a very convenient term.
With his Honor's permission, Mr. Vercoe then read the
following affidavit: In the County Court of Devonshire held at Tavistock, I,
WILLIAM VERCOE, of Saint Austell, in the county of Cornwall, draper, the
plaintiff in cases No. J9386, Vercoe v. JOHN LUXMORE - K2, WRIGHT and wife,
executrix of D. BURN v. Thomas DUXMORE - No. 387, same v. George TREFFRY - No.
388 same v. George Treffry and wife - hereby make oath and say as follows, that
I believe that I cannot obtain an impartial hearing and trial in this court,
and I apply under sec. 22nd of the 19th and 20th
Victoria, to change the venue from this court to the adjoining court of
Liskeard, held in the county of Cornwall. W. Vercoe.".
At the conclusion of it, Mr. Vercoe repeated his opinion
that he did not obtain justice in that court. He was sorry to have to say so to
his honor, but it was a duty he (Mr. V.) owed to his family and to his
merchants. His Honor said it could not be shown that he had any interest
whatever in the cases, and there would be no more convenience obtained by
removing them to any other court - they must therefore proceed.
30 JANUARY 1856, Friday
NATIONAL NEWS
It is now known that the Queen will not open Parliament in
person. She will, however, hold a council on Monday to approve the speech; and
in the evening Lord Palmerston and Lord Granville will give their respective
dinners to the Lords and commons. Sir J. Ramsden will move the address in the
Commons, and Sir Andrew Agnew will second it. In the Lords the same functions
will be discharged by the earl of Cork and Lord Cowper, the latter a step-son
of the Premier. January 28th,
1856.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
CORNWALL COUNTY COURT - The Lord Chancellor has appointed
Mr. C.D. BEVAN, of the Middle Temple, to be Judge of the County Court of
Cornwall, in the room of Mr. G. G. KEKEWISH, deceased. This appointment of Mr.
Bevan creates a vacancy of the Recorderships for Falmouth, Helston, and
Penzance.
ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY - Lieutenant L. M. CROKE, R.N., son of
Capt. C. COKE, R.N., has received a medal from the Royal Humane Society for
preserving the life of a man who had fallen overboard.
PRESENTATION OF MEDALS TO A CAPTAIN AND CREW - We noticed a
short time since, that the committee of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners'
Benevolent Society had resolved to present to Capt. William MARGRATE, of the "Schynyd," of Bristol, and James HIPPETS, Thomas HILL, and Henry APLIN, members
of his crew, the honorary silver medals of the society, in acknowledgment of
their humane and intrepid conduct in rescuing from a watery grave, when off
Cape Cornwall, near the Land's End, on the 21st of August last, the
crew of a sinking vessel called the "Elizabeth" of Bideford, and landed them
safely at Falmouth.
EXTRAORDINARY COW - A cow, the property of Mr. F.M.
WILLIAMS, of Tregullow, which calved on the 29th of October last,
and was slaughtered by Mr. Francis CARNE, January 22nd, produced the
enormous weight of 130 lbs. of tallow.
SUFFERING FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE - At their last meeting, the
Redruth Board of Guardians, by a majority of six to four (several not voting)
decided that as the nurse engaged in the hospital of the workhouse had a
conscientious objection to take an oath, she was unfit to retain her situation;
and although the testimony to her efficient discharge of her duties was
unanimous, she received notice to quit.
FALMOUTH - The ship "Columbus" which went on shore during
the late gale, near St. Mawes Castle, at the entrance of Falmouth Harbour, was
towed off on Monday last, by the new steam tug, which is now hired for the use
of ships in that locality. A crew of sixty was hired to pump, and she was towed
across the roads and up the inner harbour abreast of Flushing, the water at the
time being kept at fifteen feet. She is a fine strong teak-built ship, and it
is said she has not suffered much, besides the holes in the bottom of her hull.
COAST GUARD SERVICE - We understand that three officers of
Falmouth have been appointed to coast guard stations; Mr. WARREN, to the
Prussia Cove station, near Marazion; Mr. WAY, to Coverack; and Mr. SYMONS, to
Port Loe. These gentlemen have seen much service and were much respected in the
different ships to which they were attached.
CASE OF CHILD DESERTION - On Thursday morning, a young woman
about twenty years of age, who said her name was Mary Jane JORY and that her
father is a carpenter at Probus, called at the Truro police station and made
the following statement to Mr. NASH, police superintendent.
She stated that she had been on a visit to her sister at
Penzance, and that she left on Wednesday evening by the last train to come to
Truro. On her arrival at the Truro station, a woman in the same compartment of
the railway carriage said to her, "will you be kind enough to hold my baby
while I get out." She took the infant, and the woman went out, and passed on by
the carriages. As she did not return, in a minute or two Mary Jane Jory got
out, but could see nothing of the woman on the platform or elsewhere, she took the child into town and wandered
about the streets with it till late at night, when a married woman named
BENNETTS met with her, and very kindly gave her and the infant shelter in her
house during the night, and attended to their wants.
On Thursday morning, about nine o'clock, Bennetts and Jory
went to the police station, as before stated, when Mr. NASH advised Jory to go
to the relieving officer of the Truro Union, Mr. RICKARD, in Bridge-street,
which she did, and the officer gave her an order to take the child into the
Union-house. It was an infant of about three days old, a fine healthy looking
boy, neatly dressed in a white robe trimmed with lace, but the garments rather
too large.
Mary Jane Jory described the woman who left the child with
her as being of rather tall stature, thirty years of age or upwards, very good
looking, and her hair inclined to curl. She wore a straw bonnet, light dress,
and black cape. At the present time there is no clue to her identity.
TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, before the Mayor, Mr. E.
MICHELL, William ROBB, a labourer, was fined
5s. and costs for being drunk and disorderly in the streets on the
previous night. On Tuesday, before the Mayor and Mr. PADDON and Mr. CHAPPEL,
magistrates, Jane ROBERT, of Ladock, aged about seventeen, and Susan Ann
OLIVER, of Mevagissey, about the same age, were charged with stealing a shift,
a petticoat, and other articles, the property of Elizabeth ROSEWELL, who lodged
in the same house with the prisoner in Calenick-street. Rosewell found they had
taken the articles, and went after them, when they used very bad language
toward her and went away. She complained to the police, and police constable
PAPPIN went in pursuit, and overtook them on the road to Redruth, two miles
from Truro. They pleaded guilty to the charge, and were convicted under the
Summary Jurisdiction Act, and committed for one month to the house of
correction with hard labour.
PENRYN PETTY SESSIONS - These sessions were held on
Wednesday last, when Henry MAY, of the parish of St. Erme, was summoned to
answer the complaint of Mr. Philip GLASSON, toll-gate keeper at the Bridge
Gate, Penryn, for having on the 8th of December last, fraudulently
passed through the said toll-gate with a horse and cart without paying the
tolls directed to be paid there, namely three pence.
Mr. Galssons stated the
case, and called witnesses to prove the evasion; after which the defendant
called as witness a lad named PLUMMER, and the defendant's sister, who stated,
on oath, that they were both riding in the same cart with Henry MAY, at the
time they passed the gate, and that he paid the tolls to Mr. Glasson's
daughter. The girl not being present, the bench requested that a messenger
should be sent for her, and on her arrival she strongly contradicted the
statement of the defendant's witnesses; and the bench considering the case
clearly proved, convicted the defendant in the sum of one pound.
CHANDLER'S SHOP ON FIRE - There was an alarm of fire at
Falmouth on Wednesday last, which had broken out in the melting shop of Mr. J.
HAMBLEN, near the Wesleyan chapel in the town. The fire had a very serious
appearance at first, but was got under with only the destruction of the back
shop. Had it occurred at night, or when there was much wind, no doubt much
greater damage would have ensured. The property destroyed was insured.
FATAL MINE ACCIDENT - On Friday, the 15th inst.,
an accident occurred at the Phoenix Mines, Linkinhorne, when a man named
Matthew THOMAS was most seriously injured; he was preparing to blast a hole,
and had carried his operation so far as to fill the same with powder, and then
instead of placing some tamping thereon and cleaning the hole from loose powder
with a stick, he incautiously passed an iron bar down on the charge, which
struck fire from the side of the rock and an explosion took place, causing him
severe injuries of the left leg, face, and arm. On being taken to his house,
the surgeon of the mine attending, it was found that the lower half of the left
leg and foot were very severely crushed, and amputation was deemed necessary at
once.
On Sunday mortification attacked the stump, but he was too weak and low
for any further procedure, - stimulants were administered freely, in hopes of
getting up the circulation. On Monday morning he appeared more comfortable, the
mortification still spread and in the evening a consultation, was held between
Messrs. KEMPTHORNE, BROWN, and BOWDEN, when it was determined to take off the
leg above the knee, the prospect of his surviving for a few hours being very
slight without. The operation was performed by Mr. Kempthorne, assisted by the
above-named gentlemen; but the poor fellow sunk soon afterwards. He has left a
widow and four children.
CORONERS� INQUESTS � The following inquests have been held
by Mr. HICHENS: On Friday, in the parish of Paul, on the body of Elizabeth
GRUZELIER, aged 81 years. The deceased, from her great age, had kept to her
bedroom for several months past, having a fire therein, but got up every
forenoon early, and remained up till evening. On the Tuesday preceding she got
up as usual, and after being dressed was taken to the fire side where she was
accustomed to sit.
In the afternoon, about three o'clock, her grand daughter (a
young woman) who had been sitting with her, left the room and went down stairs
to prepare some tea for her, and in about from five to ten minutes, whilst she
was so engaged, heard a low moan, and fearing something was amiss, she ran up
stairs and found the deceased still seated in her chair, and her clothes
burning about her. The deceased's son-in-law (the father of the girl) who was
downstairs, being called, went up at once, and with a piece of floor carpeting
extinguished the fire, but not till the fore part of the deceased's clothes
were entirely consumed, and she dreadfully burnt. She lived till the following
morning. Verdict, accidental death.
On the following day, at Newlyn, in the same parish, on the
body of Elias COCK, aged sixty-five years, who was found on the preceding day
in his bedroom, suspended by a rope fastened to part of the woodwork of the
roof, and quite dead. The jury, from their own knowledge of the deceased, as
well as from the evidence adduced in proof of his state of mind, felt confident
that he was deranged, and returned a verdict of "suicide whilst labouring under
temporary insanity."
The following inquests have been held before Mr. GOOD,
county coroner: On the 21st inst., at Golbendon, in the parish of
Southhill, on the body of Mary ROWELL, fourteen months old. The deceased was
the daughter of Thomas ROWELL, an innkeeper, and had been placed in bed with
her parents on Monday night. The child was then quite well, and nothing was
heard of her during the night, but on the mother awakening about six o'clock on
the following morning, she found the infant dead by her side. The parents
appeared to be honest, respectable people, and after hearing the evidence the
jury were unanimously of opinion that the death arose from natural causes.
Verdict accordingly.
On the 22nd instant, at Launceston, on the body
of Mary BODY, aged 56. The deceased was a widow residing with her two sons. It
appeared from the evidence of her son John, who is a cabinet-maker, that on
Tuesday evening last between five and six o'clock, he came home from his work
as usual, and had his tea. He afterwards went out, leaving his mother alone in
the house. She was then sitting by the fire, and as well as usual. He came home
again a little before ten o'clock, and went upstairs to go to bed; he then saw
his mother at her bedroom window, and as he supposed looking out; he spoke to
her but on receiving no answer became alarmed, and went to fetch his
brother-in-law James CATER, who lives next door. They immediately returned
together to the bedroom of the deceased, and discovered that she was dead.
.There was a quantity of blood in the chamber vessel, and near where the body
was found, which had been discharged from the mouth. The deceased had been seen
by a young woman, a dressmaker called Louisa BROAD, about nine o'clock, the
same evening, standing near her own house. She was at that time quite well, and
nothing more was known of her until she was found by her son in the manner
before described. The poor woman was undressed, and had been in bed. The jury
were of opinion that her death was caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in
the lungs, and that she had gone to the window for the purpose of calling some one
to her assistance, or it might have been from a sense of suffocation. Verdict, "visitation of God."
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