cornwall england newspaper
1857 NEWS
ARTICLES, etc
1 MAY 1857, Friday
ABSCONDED APPRENTICE - Whereas, THOMAS CHARLES ROBERTS having left my employ without any cause, I do Hereby Caution any parties from employing him, as if doing so they will be dealt with according to law. CHARLES TRUSCOTT, Shoemaker, St. Austell. Dated April 29th, 1857.
STOLEN OR STRAYED - From Bodwanick, in the parish of Lanivet, a Greyhound Bitch, of a dark brown color, answering to the name of "Fly". Whoever will give such information as may lead to the recovery of the same to Mr. RICHARD KNIGHT, Bodwanick, aforesaid, shall be handsomely rewarded.
THE WEST OF ENGLAND BONE AND MANURE CO., PENRYN - Beg to return thanks to their friends for the liberal support hitherto afforded them, and in soliciting a continuance of the same for the present season, have pleasure in stating that they have engaged the special superintendence of Professor NESBIT, F.G.S., F.C.S., and having considerably improved the quality of their manures under his direction, they flatter themselves it will not be surpassed by any. They have for sale at their works, Bone Dust, Superphosphate of Lime, Blood Manure, Corn Manure, Potatoe Manure, Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of Ammonia, clover Seeds, Linseed Cakes, Oats, &c., &c., all of which they guarantee unadulterated. For the convenience of parties living at a distance, they have appointed the following as their agents throughout the county.
Bude......WM. SCOWN.
St. Columb......C. HAWKE, jun.
Padstow......J. HAWKEN, jun.
Hayle......M. SAUNDERS.
Penzance......J. THOMAS, jun.
Truro......MASON and MARTIN.
Probus......S. LAWRY.
Mevagissey......WM. ROBERTS, jun.
Fowey.......JOSEPH LAWRY.
St. Blazey.......E. PEARCE
St Veep.......J. E. MARSHALL.
Stokeclimsland.......L. T. DYMOND
Dated Penryn, April 29, 1857
EXETER DISTRICT COURT OF BANKRUPTCY - Thursday, April 23 - Re:- WILLIAM BURT, builder, of St. Stephens by Launceston. This was a sitting for last examination. Mr. STOGDON (with whom was Mr. COWLARD, of the firm of GURNEY and LETHBRIDGE COWLARD, solicitors, Launceston), appeared for the assignees; and Mr. PITTS (of the firm of BISHOP and PITTS, solicitors, Exeter, appeared for the bankrupt's wife.
The balance sheet commences on the 31st December, and concludes at the date of the petition on the 29th January, 1857.
On the debtor side are debts owing, for which no consideration has been given,GBP 1088; amount due to creditors, holding mortgages, liens, or other securities,GBP 1737. 12s. 10d. All other debts owning GBP 2741. 17s. 2d.; on work done amounting to GBP 2464. 12s. 5d. at twenty percent. GBP 410 13s. 4d.; profit on quarry, �54. 8s. 9d.; profit on farming at three years at GBP 150 per annum, GBP 450; cash received of Mrs. Burt, GBP 72. Total GBP 6554. 12s. 1d.
On the creditor's side, debts owing for which no consideration has been given (mentioned on the debtor's side) GBP88; ditto marriage settlement, GBP 1009; deficiency at commencement, GBP4621. 1s. 8d.; debts due - good, GBP378. 4s. 3d.; bad, GBP39. 15s. 10d.; doubtful, GBP9. 6s. 8d.; property mortgaged, GBP 1100; all other property, GBP 441. 15s. 8d.; losses, GBP 427. 1s.; trade expenses, GBP 981. 0s. 5d.; household ditto, GBP467. 2s. 6d.; trade expenses, GBP981. 0s. 5d.; household ditto, GBP467. 2s. 6d.; difference, GBP 1. 4s. 4d. Total GBP 6554. 12s. 1d.
Among the creditors are Mr. JOHN COWLING, Launceston, GBP163; Mr. R. K. FROST, ditto, GBP196. 17s. 2d.; Messrs. GILL and SONS, Tavistock, GBP 292. 19s. 9d.; Mr. N. LANGDON, St. Thomas, GBP 222. 18s. 1d.; G. N. OWEN, Esq., Tiverton, �796. 8s. 4d.; Mr. G. HORWOOD, Launceston, �24. 17s. 1d.; Mr. G. PERKIN, North Tamerton, GBP 192; Duke of Northumberland for rent, GBP 32. 11s. 8d.; Mr. EDWARD COODE for ditto, GBP 36. 11s.
The creditors holding securities are, Devon and Cornwall Banking Company, GBP 234. 16s. 8d.; a mortgage of Dwelling-house and premises at Newport, Launceston; Mr. JOHN BAYLY, Plymouth, GBP 798. 18s. 8d. (In 1840, bankrupt agreed to purchase of Mr. Bayly an orchard and quarry at St. Thomas, Launceston, for the sum of GBP 650, but which had never been conveyed to him, and the above sum was now due to Mr. Bayly for purchase money, interest, and expenses.) Mr. R. K. Frost, Launceston, GBP 500; interest, GBP169; premium on policy, GBP 34. 17s. 1d.; he holds policy of insurance for GBP 500 on the bankrupt's life in the Legal and General Office, effected in December, 1844. The cause of bankruptcy was stated to be want of capital and losses on contracts.
The following witnesses were then examined by Mr. Stogdon: JEMIMA TIPPETT was examined, and stated that she had been a servant with Mr. Burt, and left at Lady-day. She was in his service two years, and the last year she was the only servant in the house; but the first year there were two. There were five rooms down-stairs - parlour, drawing-room, front-kitchen, back-kitchen, and washing-house. There were six sleeping rooms upstairs and a lumber-room. She was not aware that there was any furniture brought into the house whilst she was there, excepting a carpet for one of the bedrooms in which Miss Burt slept, and a little earthenware. The carpet was bought in the last year. There were beds and bedding in all the rooms.
Master left the house to come to Exeter on Thursday, the 29th of January at six o'clock in the morning; but on the day previous, some pictures were removed from the drawing-room. She removed some and gave them to a man called JACKSON. She could not tell how many she removed.
His Honor - Were there one hundred?
Witness - No.
His Honor - Were there fifty?
Witness - No. There might be ten.
They were ordered to be removed by Mrs. Burt, and her master never saw them. They were taken to Jackson's house. The new carpet in Miss Burt's room was also carried away. Some of missus's old-fashioned "clome," which she brought with her on her marriage, was also removed, as well as a box from one of the best bedrooms. She could not tell what it contained. She and Jackson carried it - it was heavy. Missus told her to carry it with Jackson. Mr. CROWTHER's clerk came down and told missus that if there was anything belonging to her she had better remove it. She could not say if any plate was carried away - there was some silver in the house. There were silver spoons and dessert spoons but she could tell how many there were. There were also a few plated forks; they were all gone and she did not know where they were. Missus used to clean the plate, and put it away.
There were no articles removed on the day Mr. Burt left for Exeter, but all were carried away on the previous day. She never saw any plate in Miss Burt's bedroom; she had seen a set of purple and gold tea-things. That was allowed to Mrs. Burt in the sale she believed. She thought the bankrupt had two silver cream-jugs and a teapot, which looked like silver, as well as a soup-ladle, cream-ladle, half-a-dozen small tea-spoons of an ancient pattern, a fish-slice, some large tea-spoons, table-spoons, (but how many she could not say) a plated sugar basin, snuffers and stand. The articles removed to Jackson's were all there now. The pictures were chiefly portraits.
JOHN JACKSON stated that he was a mason, and had been in the employ of the bankrupt for many years. He had been in the house frequently, and it was well furnished. On Wednesday the 26th of January, he assisted to remove goods. Mrs. Burt desired him to remove a few things to his house, which she said were her own property. He could not tell all the articles he had removed, but among them were from ten to twelve pictures, some carpeting, a bed-tie, some ornaments, some china, and a box, which was locked, but the key was in it.
His Honor - Probably you can tell us what was in it?
Witness - There was a blanket in it.
His Honor � Nothing else?
Witness - No, your Honor.
His Honor - But it was so heavy that it required you and the last witness to remove it?
Witness - Oh no, your Honor, that was a trunk.
His Honor - There was a trunk besides a box then?
Witness - Yes, your Honor, and that was locked. There were also a foot tub, a water can, three or four china jars, two blankets, an old-fashioned pair of shoes, and an easy arm-chair. It took about two hours to remove the goods. He lived about a hundred yards from the bankrupt's house.
His Honor - What, did it take you two hours to remove the goods?
Witness - Yes Your Honor, we were not in any great hurry about it. He did not tell the two messengers about the removal, although he was present at the sale. The articles were removed in the evening, but he had no inventory of them, and therefore he could not say what was at his house.
WILLIAM BURT, the nephew, assisted in the removal of the goods. COLE, the messenger of the Bankruptcy Court, came to him and asked if he had got anything belonging to Mr. Burt; and he said no, because Mrs. Burt told him the articles removed were her own property and he understood they had nothing to do with Mr. Burt. He did not tell Cole that he had any articles at his house belonging to Mr. or Mrs. Burt.
His Honor - Are you a married man?
Witness - Yes.
His Honor - Then don't you know that what is your wife's is yours?
Witness - Tis in some respects I suppose. Two blankets, a bed-tie, and a chair, had been taken away from his house since the removal. They were taken to Mr. Burt's house where he now lives. None of the other articles had been touched. Mrs. Burt sent for the articles he had mentioned.
His Honor - Where was Mr. Burt all the time you were removing these goods?
Witness - I cannot tell. I saw him once in the passage.
Mrs. Burt was then examined. She stated that she was married to the bankrupt in 1835; she had not got a list of the articles which she had when she was married, but some of them had been disposed of. The articles removed belonged to her before marriage, and that was the reason why they were taken away.
She had an estate in Wexford, Ireland, which produced to her at the time of her marriage from GBP 70 to GBP 99 per annum. She kept the money herself and spent or saved it; she never knew anything of her husband's affairs. She always kept the money; but within the last few years her husband had borrowed money of her and had not returned it. In 1848 she effected an insurance against fire for GBP 850 with Mr. GIFFORD, the agent for the Farmers' and General Fire Assurance Company; but the articles put in the policy were greatly over-valued. She also effected an insurance on a cottage built on Mr. Burt's land, on which she now understood he had the life interest. She had lent her husband 270 altogether, and only seventy was set down in the balance sheet.
The last examination was then adjourned for the bankrupt to amend his balance sheet - the day for the next hearing to be fixed when the amended balance sheet was filed.
[Article at times difficult to read - possibly not all the amounts correct. Julia M.}
[following portion transcribed by Isabel Harris]
TOPOGRAPHY OF CORNWALL - PARISH OF WITHIEL - The parish of Withiel is in the deanery and hundred of Pydar, about five miles from Bodmin, from which place it has in conjunction with Lanivet a daily post. As there appears to be considerable doubt as to the derivation of the name of this parish, we shall neither trouble our heads nor our readers about the matter. The living is a rectory in the patronage of Sir RICHARD RAWLINSON VYVYAN, Bart., of Trelowarren to whom the present incumbent, the Rev. VYELL FRANCIS VYVYAN is a brother. From the Cornwall register we take the following list of rectors: 1639, EDGCOMBE; 1681, WOOD; 1712, TREWREN; 1739, ROBINSON; 1748, CHARLES VYVYAN; 1761, HENRY VYVYAN; 1796, ROBINSON; 1818, KEIGWIN; 1825, V. F. VYVYAN.
The parish contains 2740 acres and the tithes are commuted at GBP 324. Population in 1810, 283; 1811, 299; 1821, 339; 1831, 406; 1841, 468; 1851, 452. The church has nothing about it to attract attention except its tower, which is somewhat out of the common in its architecture, and has a most imposing appearance from the opposite hill of Mulberry; it once contained five bells, two of which have been broken up. The interior was considerably improved in 1820 at the joint expense of Sir Vyell Vyvyan and the parish. It has a nave, chancel, and two side aisles, but the north one is not seated. In the east window of the south aisle are the arms of Prior Vyvyan who is said to have built both the church and the old parsonage.
The Lord's prayer, creed, and the commandments are roughly carved in slate; marble and other tablets commemorate as follows:- Monuments - Withiel Church, 1792. This Tablet is erected to the memory of the Reverence RICHARD TREWREN, rector of this parish, his wife, son and two daughters, and Miss ANN HEWETT, late of Padstow, in this county, who was an intimate friend, and whose several remains are interred near this place.
Near this place are deposited the remains of GRACE PHILIPPA the infant daughter of the Rev. J. J. KEIGWIN, rector of this parish, (and MARY ANN, his wife) who died the 23rd of October, 1848, aged thirteen months. She came up and was cut down like a flower.
Near this place are deposited the remains of the Reverend HENRY VYVYAN, XXXIII years rector of this parish, died XXII of January, MDCCCXI, aged LXXV. Also the remains of ANN his wife. Died VIII of September, MDCCCXXVI, aged LXXXVI.
In memory of EMMELINE COLE, daughter of RALPH and EMBLYN COLE of the city of Bristol. Died 24th March, 1840, aged four years and eight months. Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. Matt. 19th ch. xiv. verse.
The rectory house was built by Keigwin, and considerably improved by the present incumbent. Over the entrance to the old house were the Vyvyan arms carved in stone, and in its windows the arms of Bodmin Prior, Megara, and Henry VII., the latter was also carved in wood.
Brynn was formerly the seat of the Beers of Killygarth, and of the Bevilles, and Grenvilles. The brave and renowned Sir BEVILLE GRANVILLE, who fell at the battle of Lansdowne Hill, near Bath, on the 5th of July, 1643, was born here March 23rd, 1595. In 1795, two carthen urns of ancient patter were dug up in the court yard of this place.
"One Gilly," says Carew, "not many years since, digged down a little hillock or borough at Boraneeves [?] therewith to thicken his other ground, in the bottom of which he found three white stones trianglewise, as pillars, supporting another flat, one some two and a half feet square, and in the midst between them and under it an earthern pot half full of a black slime; an ill-savouring substance, which doubtless was once the ashes of some notable person there committed to that manner of burial."
The manor of Withiel Goose, to which is attached the advowson, belonged previous to the Reformation, to the Priory of Bodmin, after which it fell to the Crown.
[the rest was missing and therefore not transcribed - i.h.]
USES OF CRINOLINE - During the last year much has been said and written against the abuse of "crinoline," but the inhabitants of Vienna have just had proof that it may sometimes be of real service to the wearer. A young English girl, who was employed as governess in the family of an employe', was so dissatisfied with her lot, that she resolved to put an end to her life by jumping from the ramparts into the dray moat. An officer who saw the poor girl put her suicidal design into execution, states "that she looked like a balloon in the air." The height of the wall of the city at the spot where the attempt at felo de se was made, may be about forty-five feet, but the girl was so little hurt by her fall "that she walked away as if nothing had happened."
ECCLESIASTICAL - It is rumoured that the Rev. RICHARD VAUTIER will succeed the Rev. HAROLD BROWNE, in the living of Kenwyn and Kea.
ARCHDEACON'S VISITATION - On the 22nd instant, the Archdeacon held his annual visitation at Webb's Hotel, Liskeard, and the sermon was preached in the Church by the Rev. JOHN H. HEXT, vicar of Morval, from the 7th chapter of the second book of Kings, 9th verse.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH THROUGH CORNWALL - We have before stated that Mr. GURNEY, one of the newly-elected members for Penryn and Falmouth, sought to place his new friends in the position enjoyed by so many other towns in England, and to that end negotiations were commenced with the Magnetic Telegraph Company; but the Electric and International Telegraph Company, whose lines of wire cross and re-cross England in so many directions, were unwilling that a rival association should take the Cornish field, and sent representatives to Cornwall, one of whom visited Penzance last week, and laid his plans before a private meeting of the leading merchants, and in consequence their co-operation and that of Mr. MICHAEL WILLIAMS, M.P., was obtained, and in two months, we are informed, the wires will be laid to Plymouth. It is stated that until the completion of the Cornwall Railway, the present coach road will be followed from Plymouth to within six miles of Liskeard, thence by the line of the Cornwall Railway to Truro, and from that town to Falmouth again by the turnpike road. The Packet Office, situate near the Quay, Falmouth, where the foreign mails used to be received and dispatched, has been engaged by the Electric Telegraph Company, to be adopted forthwith as their station for that port.
COTTAGES FOR THE POOR - The building of twelve cottages in connexion with the Truro Friendly Society, has been commenced in Back-lane, Truro, near Kenwyn-street. The cottages will consist of one room each, about twelve feet square, and to be floored with tiles, which seems to be objectionable, inasmuch as wooden flooring would be much more comfortable for the elderly residents of the cottages.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS - Among those who have undergone the necessary examinations for the diploma, and were admitted Members of the College, at the meeting of the Court of Examiners, on the 24th instant, we observe the name of Mr. ARTHUR BEN. HARRIS, Mevagissey. Mr. Harris is brother to Mr. S. R. Harris, draper, of Truro; and we are informed that he acquitted himself with great credit on the occasion.
ST COLUMB - Mr. G. S. DREW, stationer, of St. Columb, has been appointed Postmaster in that town, vice Miss CATHERINE GEORGE, deceased.
PENZANCE UNION - At the Board of Guardians, on Thursday, Col. SCOBELL was re-elected chairman for the twenty-second or twenty-third time; Mr. R. PEARCE and Mr. T. S. BOLITHO was re-elected vice-chairman.
CAMELFORD UNION - At a meeting of the Board of Guardians held on Friday last, Mr. W. G. PEARCE was elected chairman, and Mr. MARTYN vice-chairman for the year ensuing.
LISKEARD BOARD OF GUARDIANS - On Saturday, the 18th instant, Mr. WILLIAM FILLIS PEARCE was re-elected Chairman, and the Revds. JAMES B. KITSON and JAMES GLENCROSS were re-elected vice-chairmen, the former with precedence. In consequence of the retirement of Mr. JOHN ALLEN, their late senior vice-chairman, a resolution was passed, expressing their regret at losing the service of Mr. Allen, and thanking him for the very able assistance which he had rendered to the board for the last twenty years.
EMIGRATION - A large number of persons from the neighbourhood of Penzance went on board the "Empress Eugenie," on Tuesday last, to take their passage to Liverpool, where they will embark as emigrants.
SHIPPING NEWS - On Thursday the bellboy "Cobden," BAINES, master, from Porthleven for Goole, with china stone, was dismasted about a mile and a half off the Lizard, and was towed into Penzance by two trawling smacks, the "Jessie" of Plymouth, and the "Jane" of Brixham. They claim GBP 100 for their services.
The schooner "Killiow," of Truro, WILLIS, master, made the passage from Penzance to Llanelly with copper ore and back with coals in ninety-three house, which is a very quick passage.
FALMOUTH GUILDHALL - On Friday last, CHRISTOPHER TOY, pawnbroker, was summoned to appear by a man of the name of CHUBB, for taking illegal interest on some loans. Mr. KEMPE, solicitor, appeared for the complainant, and Mr. J. B. MOORMAN for the defendant. After hearing the case the magistrates adjourned it till Monday, when they decided that the case was proved, and find Toy in the sum of 40s. and costs.
TRURO POLICE - On Thursday, JAMES STEVENS, a boy twelve years of age, was charged before the Mayor, Mr. CHAPPEL, Mr. PADDON, and Dr. BARHAM, magistrates, with wilfully breaking a pane of glass in the window of ELIZABETH GUNDRY, beerhouse-keeper, River-street. The evidence showed that the window was broken by accident, several boys, including Stevens, being at the time playing with a ball. The boy's father, however, agreed to pay the cost of the glass, 6s., and the expense of the summons was paid between him and the complainant.
On Saturday, before the Mayor, Mr. PADDON, and Mr. CHAPPEL, CATHERINE STEPHENS, of Calenick-street, was charged with stealing half-a-sovereign from the pocket of THOMAS BENTON, shoemaker, of Kenwyn-street. The magistrates convicted the prisoner under the Summary Jurisdiction Act and committed her for twenty-one days to hard labour.
On Monday, ROBERT CARNE and WILLIAM HENRY CARNE, miners, were charged with assaulting JOHN PRAED, shoemaker, of Truro. The charge was withdrawn, on payment of expenses.
On the same day, JOHN STANNAWAY, grocer, of St. Dominick-street, was fined 10s. and costs, on the information of the borough inspectors of weights and measures, for having a false balance to his scales.
On Tuesday, before the Mayor, Dr. BARHAM, Mr. CHAPPEL, and Mr. PADDON, ANN SEARLE, alias BULLOCKE, was charged with stealing 4s. from the pocket of ANN MARIA MURRAIN; and HENRY CARNARTON, of Calenick-street, was charged with being concerned in the robbery, which was alleged to have been committed in the passage of the Black Boy public-house, in River-street. The magistrates, however, were not satisfied with the evidence, and dismissed the charge.
On the same day, SAMUEL GLASSON, blacksmith, Calenick-street, was fined 5s. and expenses, or two months' imprisonment, for being drunk and disorderly, and assaulting two boys named BENNETT.
COMMITTAL - The Burglar PEARCE, who entered the Fifteen Balls Inn, in Bodmin, on the night of the 15th ult., was committed to the house of correction on Friday last, to await his trial at the summer assizes.
DEATH OF A CORNISHMAN AT SARAWAK - We are sorry to learn that among our countrymen who fell victims to the Chinese at Sarawak, Borneo, on the night of the 18th February, was Mr. R. WELLINGTON, of Penzance. After studying at the Jermyn Street School of Geology, he accepted a situation as metallurgist under the Borneo Company. He was a young man of much promise, and was highly esteemed by Sir JAMES BROOKE.
The following letter to Mr. HARVEY, of Singapore will be read with interest:- "Sarawak, 27th Feb. 1857. Dear Sir, - I have already informed you of the attack upon the town of Rutchin by a party of rebellious Chinese on the night of the 18th February. Of all the sorrows and losses which we suffered on this occasion, none has been so deeply felt as that of Mr. Wellington who met his death when generously endeavouring to defend women and children; for though he had been but a short while amongst us, he had already won our esteem and affection, and I beg of you in communicating these sad tidings to his relatives, to assure them that their sorrows are shared in by many in this distant land. I am, dear sir, yours very faithfully. L. B. Helms. JOHN HARVEY, Esq., Singapore."
CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held by Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner. On Monday at Carloggans, in the parish of St. Stephens in Branwell, on the body of JOHN SMITH, aged seventy years. From the evidence of WILLIAM SAUNDERS, it appeared that on Saturday evening, about half-past eight, the witness saw him near High-street, leaning against a hedge; he was the worse for liquor, but he accompanied witness part of the way home; and when witness had to turn off, he asked him if he could get along by himself, and he said he could. It appeared, however, that he did not return home for the night; and on the following morning his son-in-law, HENRY WATES, with whom he lived, went in search of him and found him lying on his belly near a stream of water the runs through the bottom, about three quarters of a mile from his home, and about the same distance from where Saunders left him. He was insensible, and had a cut over his forehead; but his son-in-law, with assistance, got him home and put him into bed; but he died in the course of five or six minutes afterwards.
There was a stone in the middle of the stream of water in which he was found, on which he had to step to cross it, and then get up a hedge by some steps; and from the position in which the body was found, it would appear as if he had slipped his foot from the stone and fallen with great violence against one of the projecting steps in the hedge, which would account for the wound in his forehead, that caused his death. This was the opinion of Mr. TUCKER, surgeon, of St. Austell, who was examined at the inquest, who stated that the external table of the frontal bone had been fractured, and there was no doubt a violent concussion of brain; but nothing beyond what might have happened by his falling against a projecting stone in a hedge. Verdict, "accidental death."
On Tuesday at the King's Head, Lemon Street, Truro, on the body of WILLIAM ROBERTS, aged forty six years. The deceased had been for many years in the employ of Messrs. OLVER and SONS; and on the morning of that day, had brought a waggon load of goods from their establishment at Falmouth to Truro, which he assisted in unloading, and appeared to be in perfect health.
He subsequently put the horse into the stables of the Royal Hotel, and then went into Gibson's public-house - the Market-house Inn, and had two penny-worth of gin, which he drank and did not stop in the house more than two minutes. He then, it would appear, was returning to the stable, when he fell, and WILLIAM YOULTON, driver of the railway bus, on coming out of the yard, found him in that position. He immediately went and lifted him up, and supported his head on his knees; but he never spoke afterwards, and died after breathing once or twice. Verdict, "died by the visitation of God."
The following inquests have been held before Mr. HICHENS, county coroner:- On the 25th and 27th instant, on the bodies of JOHN POPE, WILLIAM YATES, and WILLIAM GRENFELL, whose deaths were occasioned by the bursting of a boiler at North Wheal Vor mine, in the parish of Breage. This sad disaster happened on Friday last, between the hours of four and five in the morning, and there were in the boiler house at the time in all five persons, namely WILLIAM GRENFELL, the engine man; WILLIAM HENRY WILLIAMS, a kibble lander; SAMUEL REYNOLDS, sumpman; JOHN POPE, kibble filler; and WILLIAM YATES, whim driver. John Pope was killed on the spot, having been blown from the boiler house a distance of seventy-six paces or yards, and all the rest were more or less scalded, but Yates and Grenfell so severely as to terminate in their deaths, Yates on the following day and Grenfell on Sunday last.
The boiler it appeared was about four years old, and in very excellent condition, and it is to be feared, therefore, that the cause of the disaster may be attributed to the carelessness of the deceased Grenfell, in not properly attending to the feeding of the boiler. Grenfell was stated to be about twenty-one years of age, and to have worked the engine about two months, having been substituted for his father (the preceding engineman), who had been obliged to retire from ill health; but it appeared that the son had been an engineman before, and had worked the same engine for some time before, when belonging to Wheal Montague mine, in Towednack, and being a person of sobriety and steadiness, was considered by the agents of the mine fully competent to fill the situation. The death of Grenfell relieved the juries from the painful necessity of considering how far by his conduct upon the occasion he might have been chargeable with the crime of manslaughter as against Pope and Yates, and they therefore returned a verdict of "accidental death" in each case. The end of the boiler in which the tubes were, was blown out, and the boiler house thrown down, and the damage is estimated at about GBP 400.
8 MAY 1857, Friday
FOUND - A five pound bank of England note. Any person giving full
particulars, may receive the above, by applying to STEPHEN COLENSO,
Foundry Hill, Hayle. May 5th, 1857.
NOTICE - The Creditors of Mr. THOMAS INCH, late of St. Austell,
Innkeeper, are requested to meet at Dunn's Hotel, St. Austell, on
Friday the 22nd instant, at Eleven o'clock in the Forenoon, when a
Dividend on his Estate will be declared and paid; and all creditors who
have not already furnished particulars of their Claims, are to do so
forthwith, either to Mr. WILLIAM HANCOCK, Auctioneer, St. Austell; or
Mr. BISHOP, Solicitor and Notary, Fowey. Dated 5th May, 1857.
NOTICE - The Creditors of Mr. STEPHEN TREDINNICK, late of Mount
Charles, in the Parish of St. Austell, Innkeeper, are requested to meet
at Dunn's Hotel, St. Austell, on Friday the 22nd instant, at Three
o'clock in the Afternoon, when a Dividend on his Estate will be
declared and paid; and all persons who have not already furnished
particulars of their Claims, are to do so forthwith, either to Mr.
WILLIAM HANCOCK, Auctioneer, St. Austell; or Mr. BISHOP, Solicitor and
Notary, Fowey.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN - That JAMES HICKS of the borough of
Lostwithiel, in the County of Cornwall, Builder and Auctioneer, hath by
an Indenture bearing date the thirtieth day of April, one thousand
eight hundred and fifty-seven, assigned unto JOSEPH DREW of the parish
of Saint Austell, in the same County, Merchant, his executors,
administrators, and assigns, all and every the stock-in-trade, goods,
wares, and merchandises, household furniture, fixtures, plate, linen,
china, books of account, debts, sum and sums of money, and all
securities for money, vouchers, and other documents, and writings, and
all other the personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever,
of him the said James Hicks, upon trusts for the benefit of himself the
said Joseph Drew, and others the Creditors of the said James Hicks, who
should execute the said Indenture of Assignment; which said Indenture
was duly executed by the said James Hicks and Joseph Drew on the day of
the date thereof, and as to the execution thereof by the said James
Hicks, was attested by WILLIAM SHILSON, of Saint Austell, Solicitor,
and as to the execution thereof by the said Joseph Drew, was attested
by the said William Shilson, of Saint Austell, Solicitor, and as to the
execution thereof by the said Joseph Drew, was attested by the said
William Shilson and by FRANCIS AYERST. And Notice is hereby also given
that the said Indenture now lies at the Office of Messieurs COODE,
SONS, and SHILSON, in Saint Austell, aforesaid, for inspection and
execution by the Creditors of the said James Hicks. Dated this first
day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
LAUNCESTON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY - The Next Annual Meeting of this
Society will be held on Thursday the 30th of July, (the day before St.
Stephens Fair) when his Grace the Duke of Northumberland is expected to
attend the exhibition. A list of premiums amounting to GBP87, and full
particulars may be had on application to the Secretaries. JOHN HUXHAM,
Launceston. D. W. RADDALL, Lezant. GEO. M. GIFFORD, Launceston. May
6, 1857.
THE THROUGH BOOKING OF EMIGRANT PASSENGERS - Complaints having been
made to the Commissioners of Emigration that a circular recently issued
by them, cautioning emigrants proceeding to New York or New Orleans,
against taking through tickets, has been interpreted as applying to the
through tickets of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, the Commissioners
have issued instructions to all their officers at the outports,
pointing out that the circular in question was not intended to apply to
the route through Canada.
ESCAPE OF PRISONERS FROM BRISTOL GAOL - On Monday last, it was
discovered that two prisoners had escaped from Bristol Gaol. The names
are JOSEPH STILLMAN and GEORGE PARR, both tried at the late Gloucester
assizes and sentenced, the former to fifteen years' transportation for
highway garrotte robbery, and the latter to twelve month's imprisonment
for coining. The prisoners, who were in the infirmary of the gaol,
were safely in their beds at nine o'clock on Sunday evening, but on the
Warder going his rounds at four o'clock on the following morning, the
men were missing. It was then found that they had supplied themselves
with a number of worsted comforters, forming part of the wearing
apparel of other prisoners, threw the rope thus made over the boundary
wall, climbed up, and then dropped themselves outside, a distance of
about eighteen feet. No traces being found of any of the locks of the
prison having been picked or tampered with, the inference is that some
of the officers of the gaol must have been grossly negligent in the
performance of their duties, or must have connived at the escape of the
prisoners. Officers have been dispatched in pursuit of the criminals
in various directions, and it is hoped that they will be speedily
recaptured. A reward of GBP20 has been offered for their apprehension.
PETITION AGAINST THE COUNTY POLICE ACT - We have received the
following from Mr. LEWARNE, of Lanivet:- "I beg to inform you, that,
the inhabitants of Lanivet have got up a petition (which is being
signed by them almost without an exception) praying Parliament to
repeal the obnoxious Police Act; and as they are anxious that other
parishes should follow their example, they hope you will give it
publicity through the medium of your widely circulated paper."
FALMOUTH UNION - Sir CHARLES LEMON, Bart., has been re-elected
Chairman, and Mr. ENYS and Mr. JOHN SYMONDS, Vice-Chairmen of the board
for the ensuing year.
THE LAW - Mr. G. A. JENKINS, of Penryn, (formerly of Penzance,) has
passed his examination, and been duly admitted to practice as an
attorney and solicitor.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS - Mr. ROBERT CHARLES HUNTER, of Truro,
having undergone the necessary examinations, was admitted a member on
Monday last.
HONOURS OF WAR - At Truro on Saturday last, in presence of the
assembled pensioners of the district, Capt. McDOUGALL, staff-officer of
pensioners, delivered to HUMPHRY POLKINGHORNE, (a native of Truro,)
late of the 6th Inniskillen Dragoons, the French War Medal which has
recently been awarded to him. Captain McDougall read a letter which he
had received with the medal from the Secretary at War, and also a
letter from Colonel WHITE, of the 6th Inniskillens, commendatory of
Polkinghorne's gallantry at Balaklava; and, on making the presentation,
Capt. McDougall suitably addressed the recipient on his soldierly and
gallant conduct, and hoped he would live many years to enjoy his
honours. The medal, on each side, consists of a yellow centre, in a
blue enamel ring, encircled with a wreath of laurels, in silver; the
whole surmounted by an eagle, at the head of which is the means of
appendage to a yellow and green ribbon. On the obverse of the medal is
a profile of the Emperor, with the words "Louis Napoleon;" and on the
reverse the words, "Valeur et Discipline." Polkinghorne has also an
English War Medal, of silver, with three clasps for "Sebastopol,"
Inkermann," and "Balaklava." His pension is 7d. a day; but he looks
like a good honest fellow, and would no doubt serve faithfully in any
suitable employment.
BODMIN POST OFFICE - Mr. PEARCE, postmaster, has resigned his office,
after having held it for a period of nearly twenty years. A clerk from
the General Post Office is at present managing the business, and will
continue to do so until a successor to Mr. Pearce is appointed.
BODMIN - One day last week as the workmen of Mr. BUSCOMBE, builder,
of Bodmin were demolishing one of the old houses in the front street,
preparatory to rebuilding it, one of them found a valuable gold
mourning ring, inscribed " WILL: CLOBERY, Esq., dyd 17 Nov. 1750, aged
53." Many of the highly respectable family of Clobery, originally of
Bradstone, in the county of Devon, have intermarried with some of the
families of this neighbourhood, and the gentleman named in the above
inscription was closely connected with the ancestors of Mr. PRESTON
WALLIS, of St. Petrock's, near Bodmin.
TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, before the Mayor, Mr. CHAPPEL, and Mr.
PADDON, GREGORY TABB, butcher, of Daniell-street, was charged with
having six weights in his shop which were found to be light by the
Inspector. He was fined GBP1 and costs.
On Tuesday, SUSAN LUKE, of Hayle, was charged on suspicion of stealing
a sovereign and a shilling from the pocket of THOMAS BATTEN, of
Perranzabuloe. He had given the woman into custody, but did not appear
against her, and she was discharged.
On Thursday, before the Mayor, Mr. Paddon, and Mr. Chappel, SUSAN
BASSETT was charged with being drunk and using obscene language in
Fairmantle-street, on Wednesday night, to the annoyance of Mrs. LIBBY.
She was ordered to pay expenses, and committed for one month to hard
labour.
CASE OF POISONING AT PENZANCE - A strange instance of poisoning by
arsenic, whether by accident or design it is impossible to say, has
occurred recently at Penzance, by which six persons have had a narrow
escape. The household of Mr. FRANCIS LUGG, sen., cabinet-maker,
consists at present of himself; an assistant, Miss TREVELYAN of Newlyn,
who attends the shop by day; and the servant, CATHERINE RICHARDS. On
Monday, the 20th ult., the latter purchased 8lbs. of flour from Mrs.
KING, of Alverton-terrace, grocer, with the intention of converting it
into bread. It was placed in a bag, and the bag was deposited in its
usual place - the pantry - which is not kept locked, and is only
approachable from inside the house. On the previous Friday, an old
servant of the family, ANN BREWER, had left at Mr. Lugg's some barm,
which she procured from Mr. WEAVER's Brewery. The jug containing the
yeast was also placed in the pantry. Several other persons were
supplied with precisely the same kind of barm from Mr. Weaver's, and
they used it without any inconvenience or injury. Also the bag of
flour was English, was supplied by Messrs. HIGGS and SON to Mrs. King,
has been all sold to various customers, and has been consumed without
any complaint from purchasers, or any ascertainable hurt. This most
conclusively relieves the Brewery and the grocer's shop from any blame.
The flour at the shop was also subjected to a close analysis and
nothing deleterious found. On Tuesday, the 21st ult., about 6lbs. of
the flour were "wetted-up," divided into two or three loaves, and
baked. On Wednesday morning, some time previous to dinner, the servant
cut one of the loaves and ate a portion. At dinner, Mr. Lugg and his
assistant ate small portions. All felt unwell after their meal, but
not the slightest suspicion fell on the bread. Mr. Lugg thought he had
taken cold, had a fire lit, rested himself, and so the afternoon
passed. For tea the loaf was brought in, and Mr. Lugg, and his son Mr.
FRANCIS LUGG, jun., and the females helped themselves. Immediately
after tea all four were taken with violent pains in the stomach, soon
followed by copious vomiting. Mr. A. BERRYMAN was sent for, and
administered some medicines, but at this time the bread was simply
deemed unwholesome. Mr. Lugg had been accustomed to a very different
description of bread, and attributed his illness to the change. On
Thursday, Mr. Lugg submitted a portion of the bread, and narrated the
circumstances, to Mr. J. N. SYMONS, chemist, who desired Dr. MONTGOMERY
to analyse a portion of the loaf. In the mean time a workman in the
employ of Mr. Lugg, and also one of his apprentices, tasted the
"curious" loaf. The former was instantly sick; the latter has hardly
yet recovered from the effects of his temerity. Dr. Montgomery found
the whole of the bread highly charged with arsenic; the largeness of
the dose caused so speedy a vomit, and thus saved the six lives which
might otherwise have been sacrificed to the poison. From that time to
the present no solution has been found to the dreadful accident, or
crime, which has placed six lives in danger, although every exertion
has been used.
FATAL MINE ACCIDENT - A young man called WELLINGTON, son of Mr.
WALTER WELLINGTON, of Baldhu, was unfortunately killed at the United
Mines, Gwennap, on Wednesday last, by a "scale" of ground falling on
him.
CORONER'S INQUEST - On Saturday last an inquest was held at Redruth,
before Mr. J. CARLYON, county coroner, on the body of WILLIAM GOMER
WILLS, miner, aged forty-two years, who was killed underground, in
Wheal Buller mine, on Friday, by a hole going off about him while he
was tamping in the charge. Verdict, "accidental death."
15 MAY 1857, Friday
VOTES OF CORNISH MEMBERS - On Monday last on the second reading of
Mr. Adderley's bill, for establishing industrial schools in England and
Wales, which was carried by 178 to 18, the following members voted:-
for the second reading, T. BARING, R. W. GREY, S. GURNEY, H. PAULL,
A SMITH, J. VIVIAN, and J. WYLD. Against it, N. KENDALL.
HELSTON FLORA DAY - The Flora day was celebrated on Friday last the
8th instant, with more than usual gaiety. The weather throughout the
day was as fine as could be desired, and the attendance of strangers
was far more numerous than has been known for many years past. The
entrances to most of the inns were decorated with boughs and
evergreens. In the early part of the day a procession, which caused
much amusement, started from the once ancient city of St. Johns, where
a self-elected corporation has of late years been formed. The mayor
and other officers of that city having been duly sworn in, they
commenced to parade the streets of Helston, in the following order:-
Attendant on horseback; constables and police; "Aunt Mary Moyas[?]", on
horseback, fantastically dressed in flowers, &c., attended by her
knights and squires; band of music; the mayor of St. Johns, in cocked
hat and wig, in a carriage dressed with evergreens and flowers, drawn
by six Jerusalem ponies ridden by juvenile outriders in full costume;
city crier in a carriage and pair; aldermen and councilmen two-and-two.
A proclamation of the rules and customs of the city was read by the
crier in different parts of the town, and after parading the streets
until after midday, they again returned to St. Johns. At half past one
o'clock the dancing in the streets commenced, to the ancient flora
tune. The first party was led off by Mr. T. P. TYACKE and Mrs. GLYNN
GRYLLS, followed by Capt. GRYLLS, of Bosahan, and Mrs. TWEEDY, of
Falmouth, and a very long train of dangers. Another party was led off
by Mr. RICHARD PERRY and Miss EVA. Several other parties continued to
follow in succession, till the shades of evening began to close upon
dancers and spectators. The ball at the Angel Hotel in the evening,
which was well and fashionably attended, was opened by Mr. FREDERICK
HILL and Mrs. JOHN BORLASE, of Penwarne, and the dancing was kept up
until three o'clock.
BURIALS AT CHACEWATER - A correspondent writes to us on this subject as
follows:- Will you allow me, in one of your columns, to ask the reason
why dead bodies are compelled to remain so long unburied in small
cottages around the locality of Chacewater? If a person dies on
Friday, it is rather soon to bury on the following day, then Sunday
would be a proper time for burial; but on Sunday, double fees are
charged. I know a poor man in this neighbourhood, who applied at
Chacewater, on Saturday last, in order that his son, from Wheal Busy,
might be interred on the following day. He was asked whether he was
able to pay double fees; he answered no, and was told, then we cannot
bury him. The poor man said, it is in this parish, and our house is
small, and up-stairs rooms are wanted, and it is high time that my son
should be buried, for we cannot keep him properly until Monday evening;
and it is only one labour for you, as there is another young man to be
interred to-morrow, from the same place. They are going to pay double
fees, was the answer. So the corpse of this poor young man, who had
been a bed-lier for some months, and died on Friday morning, had to be
kept until Monday evening, and ought to have been buried on Sunday
morning. I think it time that an alteration should take place, so as
to enable our poor neighbours to bury their friends as at other places
without double fees; else doctors should do all in their power to save
poor people's lives in the neighbourhood of Chacewater over Fridays.
THE ROY NAVY - Vice-Admiral of the Blue Sir B. REYNOLDS, K.C.B.,
Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth, has been promoted to be Vice-Admiral of
the White.
COAST-GUARD PROMOTION - Mr. JOHN C. HARRY, chief boatman in charge of
the coast-guard station, at Charlton, near Woolwich, has just been
promoted to chief officer of the neighbouring station at Erith. This
is the first promotion from chief boatman in charge, to the rank of
chief officer under the new regulation of the Admiralty, and speaks
well for the esteem in which this officer has been long held by that
department. Mr. Harry is a Cornishman, and was for many years chief
boatman at Prussia Cove, near Marazion; and his numerous friends in
that neighbourhood will be highly pleased to learn that he has now
received that promotion to which by his character and merits he had
been long entitled.
KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON - In the late examinations of junior students
for prizes in the medical department of this college, we observe that
Mr. EDWARD SHARP, jun., of Truro, has greatly distinguished himself, he
having obtained a junior scholarship and the first prize in Divinity.
GLASGOW UNIVERSITY - We have great pleasure in seeing at the late
examination and distribution of prizes at the above university, the
name of Mr. EDWIN DREW, son of Mr. J. H. DREW, of St. Austell, who
although a first year's student, has done so much credit to his name
and county. Besides the university prize, for the best written
examination on Anatomy and Chemistry, prizes were awarded to Mr. Edwin
Drew, in Chemistry, Anatomy, (awarded by his fellow students) Materia
Medica, (awarded by written examinations); and for the best essay on
the nitrogenous aliments.
TRURO SHIPPING COMPANY - Mr. THOMAS COLLIVER has been elected the
secretary of this Company, in the room of the late Mr. JAMES WILSON.
BODMIN, A TESTIMONIAL TO THE LATE POSTMASTER - A subscription list
was on Friday last, opened at the East Cornwall Bank in Bodmin in
consequence of several of the inhabitants of that town, and its
neighbourhood having expressed a strong desire to present a testimonial
to Mr. THOMAS PEARSE, late postmaster, for his extreme urbanity and
civility, as well as for his promptitude and fidelity in the discharge
of the duties of his office during a period of twenty years.
DEATH OF A NAVAL OFFICER - Lieut. THOMAS JAMES (a native of Truro)
died on the 10th instant, at his residence, Lower Durnford Street,
Stonehouse, aged 60 years. This officer entered the navy, 28th May,
1812, as first-class volunteer, on board the "Barham," 74, Captain JOHN
WILLIAM SPRANGER, stationed in the North Sea; and from the following
November until the conclusion of the war was employed in the Channel
and West Indies, the latter part of the time as midshipman, in the
"Rhin," 38, Capt. CHARLES MALCOLM. He next served for six years on the
African station in the "Orontes," 36, Capt. NATHANIEL DAY COCHRANE,
"Podargus," 14, Captains JAMES WALLIS, HENRY JOHN ROUS, AND JAMES
CAIRNES, "Racoon," 26, Capt. JAMES WALLIS, "Myrmidon," 20, Capt. HENRY
J. LAKE, "Tartar," 42, Commodore Sir GEORGE RALPH COLLIER, and
"Pheasant," 18, Capt. BENEDICTUS MARWOOD KELLY. In September, 1821,
after having acted for six months as lieutenant of the latter vessel,
he took up a commission dated 28th of the previous April. His
appointments have since been - 3rd May, 1833, to the Coast Guard - 24th
July, 1838, to the command of the "Pigeon," Falmouth packet - 25th
January, 1843, (after a few months of half-pay), to be Admiralty Agent
in a contract mail steam-vessel - and, 26th June, 1846, to the command
of the "Express," brig, in which he was again employed on the Falmouth
station. His last appointment was agent of transports in the Crimea,
which he was obliged to relinquish and return to England from ill
health. Deceased was the elder brother of Colonel JAMES, Royal
Engineers.
A STEAM LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP ASHORE NEAR THE LIZARD - On Tuesday
morning last about ten o'clock, wind S.S.W. with dense fog, the coast
guard men and some farmers were alarmed by hearing minute guns firing
close to the cliff. On approaching the spot from whence the sound
came, the found H.M.'s line-of-battle ship "Exmouth," close to the
cliff, in fact on the rocks, between Pengerwick and Gew-an-queen Cove,
about two miles north-west of the lizard. Fortunately there were three
small fishing boats close at hand, and after putting Mr. SAMUEL HICHENS
on board, they stood by the ship to render any assistance that should
be wanted. Mr. Hichens told the captain were he was, and thought it
best for him to get up the steam immediately. After bumping on the
rocks for two hours the steam was got up, and she then got off
apparently in a leaky state. Lieut. DREW, of the coast-guard and crew,
then came up in their long-boat, but no further assistance was wanted.
The captain very kindly gave Mr. Hichens a certificate for his
assistance, to be forwarded to the Lords of the Admiralty.
COUNTY COURTS - BODMIN - In COCKING v. HAMLEY, a report of which
appeared in our paper, and which was adjourned from the last court for
production of corroborative evidence on the part of the plaintiff; the
case was again called to-day when the plaintiff not being prepared with
satisfactory evidence, his Honor gave a verdict for defendant.
HARRIS v. RUNNALLS, (jury case). This was an action brought by Mr. WM.
HARRIS, a farmer living at Treworder, IN Blisland, against Mr. JOHN
RUNNALLS, of Branston, in Cardinham, for the recovery of the sum of
GBP12. 0s. 6d., amount of loss and damage sustained by plaintiff, by
reason of the negligence, neglect, and want of proper attention on the
part of defendant in not providing twenty-five sheep the property of
plaintiff, according to an agreement entered into for the keep of such
sheep at threepence per head per week, between the months of November
1856, and 1857, with a proper and sufficient quantity of food,
nourishment and attendance. Mr. COMMINS appeared for plaintiff, and
defendant conducted his own case. Witnesses were called on the part of
the plaintiff to prove that the sheep, when put into defendant's
keeping in November, were worth 16s. or 17s. each, and when taken from
such keeping, were worth but 12s. 6d. per sheep. For the defence,
defendant contended that the agreement had been fulfilled; that
plaintiff inspected the fields in which the sheep were agreed to be
kept, before entering into the agreement; and that whatever was the
condition of the sheep on the termination of the contract, there was
consequently no breach on his part. Witnesses were called who proved
that defendant did regularly change the sheep whilst under his charge
over all the fields agreed on. Mr. Commins addressed the jury on
behalf of the plaintiff, his Honor carefully and minutely summed up the
evidence, and the jury after consultation gave a verdict for plaintiff,
damaged GBP3. 15s.
ST AUSTELL - In the case of Mr. JACOB HALLS DREW, who had printed
official papers, (as was mentioned at the last court,) his Honor now
overlooked the matter on his promising to destroy all the papers of
that kind in his possession, and to refrain from printing any more of
them in future.
TRURO - In the case of JOHN ROSS v. MICHAEL WESTCOTT, debt 18s. 8d.,
defendant was committed for thirty days for not appearing to summons.
In the case of the same plaintiff v. EDWIN BRUMMALL, debt 3s. 4d.,
defendant was committed for fourteen days for non-payment after
judgment.
FALMOUTH - An application was made by JOHN STORER, an insolvent, for
protection, and notice was given of his coming before the next court to
pass.
PENZANCE - At this court, held on Tuesday and Wednesday last, there
were a large number of plaints entered, and amongst the trials was the
following:- Sir HENRY ONSLOW, Bart, of Hengar House, and Mrs. ONSLOW,
of Newent, Gloucestershire, plaintiffs, and JAMES PERMEWAN, of
Penzance, mine-broker, defendant. This was an action brought by the
High Sheriff of Cornwall, who is the owner of considerable landed
property in the neighbourhood, against defendant to recover GBP30, the
rent of Gear Stamps, in Gulval, for two years to September, 1856, at
GBP15 a year. Mr. Permewan was being an adventurer in East Ding Dong
Mine, by which mine the stamps were used. Mr. Commins represented the
plaintiffs; Mr. PERMEWAN, defended himself and applied in the first
instance to have this case referred to the Stannaries Court. Mr.
Cornish opposed - first, because this court had no power to refer the
case, and second because the case had been partly heard. His Honor
said he did not feel bound to result every case, some part or the whole
of which was connected with mining, to the Stannaries Court, and
preferred to hear the case and the defence, and then to judge whether
it ought to be referred. It therefore proceeded. The details were
uninteresting. His Honor said he had not the slightest doubt about his
judgment - GBP21. 4s. 6d., with costs, and immediate payment.
FALMOUTH QUARTER SESSIONS - On Monday last, the quarter sessions for
the borough, was held before the Recorder, E. W. COX, Esq., and the
usual bench of magistrates. There were three prisoners for trial, one
a soldier belonging to the Royal Artillery, called HENRY BEWLEY[?],
charged with stealing a watch and chain from JAMES COPLIN. The jury
returned a verdict of guilty of larceny in stealing from the person,
and the prisoner was sentenced to three months' hard labour.
A widow woman, called EMILY MYERS, was indicted for stealing a watch
the property of THOMAS MATTHEWS. Some year or two back, the prisoner
lived in a part of the same house with the prosecutor, and on his watch
being stolen, an active search was made at the pawnshops in the town,
and notice of the number and description was given to the silversmiths,
but without effect. The prisoner was suspected, but there was no proof
against her. The watch belonging to JAMES COPLIN was afterwards
stolen, and the prisoner's house was searched. Coplin's watch was not
found, but Matthews's, a very good silver-lever, was discovered wrapped
up in rags in an old box. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and she
was sentenced to one month's hard labour.
A man called HENRY WARREN was tried on two charges of obtaining goods
under false pretences. The first charge was for obtaining three and a
quarter pounds of copper nails from Mr. BLATCH COX, for which he was
found guilty and sentenced to three months' hard labour. The Recorder
reprimanded Mr. AUGUSTUS for buying new nails of a man at such a price,
and cautioned him against doing so in future. The next case was for
obtaining three pounds of copper nails and two copper bolts from Mr. W.
S. OLVER, ironmonger, under similar circumstances, by pretending they
were for his master, Mr. TOMS, to repair his boat. The prisoner was
found guilty, and sentenced to three months' hard labour, after the
expiration of the first sentence.
TRURO POLICE - On Saturday, before the Mayor and Mr. CHAPPEL, JOHN
SMITH, of Birmingham, engraver, was charged with being drunk, sleeping
in the passage of Messrs. ENDEAN and COURTENAY, at the back of their
premises in St Mary Street, and being unable to give a satisfactory
account of himself. The prisoner had been charged on the previous day
with being drunk and disorderly in the streets, but the case was then
dismissed on his paying expenses and promising to leave the town. As
he did not do so, he was now convicted for this second offence under
the vagrancy act, and committed for twenty-one days to hard labour.
On Monday, EDWARD THOMAS, woolcomber, and JAMES HOCKING, alias "Blind
Jemmy," were charged with throwing stones at police constable CRAWFORD,
while in the execution of his duty. The charge, however, was withdrawn
on the defendants each paying 5s. expenses.
On Tuesday, SAMUEL GLASSON, blacksmith, of Truro, was charged with
being drunk, and violently assaulting ANNA MARIA MURRAIN. The assault
was committed in Boscawen Street on Tuesday morning, and was witnesses
by Mr. JOHN NORTH, butcher, and others. The woman was carrying an
infant at the time, and Glasson, who was drunk, came up, and without
provocation, struck her twice in the head, and kicked her legs. He was
convicted under the Aggravated Assaults Act, and sentenced to three
months' hard labour in the house of correction.
ROBBERY - The 6th instant being the annual fete at West Looe, the
landlord and landlady of an inn known by the appellation of the "John
and Philly," went, as had been their custom on former occasions, to
West Looe fair, leaving one servant only in charge of the house; and on
their return at about one o'clock on the following morning they
discovered their house had been robbed of GBP37 in gold, and a silver
guard; the watch to which the latter article was appended was left
behind by the thieves.
ACCIDENT - On Saturday last, as a child only one year and nine months
old, belonging to Mr. JOHN LUKE, tailor, of St. Austell, was up stairs
with its mother, the window being open, the child lost its balance, and
fell into the street and broke its thigh and arm. Medical assistance
was at once called in, when the fractured bones were set, and the child
is now doing well.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - On Thursday the 7th instant, an inquest was held
by Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner, at Bissoe Bridge, in the parish of
Kea, on the body of JOHN WELLINGTON, miner, aged 23 years, who was
killed the day before, while at work underground in the United Mines.
He was stoping in the back of the 208 fathoms level, when a quantity of
ore and killas fell out and buried him up to his middle. The place was
so hot that only one man could work at a time; but his comrades, who
were in the cool air, at some distance off, heard of the fall from some
one who was in the level below, and immediately went to his assistance;
they extricated him in about five minutes, and brought him back into
the cool draught; but he never spoke, and died in a very few minutes.
Verdict "accidental death."
The following inquest was held before Mr. YOUNG, deputy coroner, for
Falmouth:- On Monday last, at the Spread Eagle Inn, Falmouth, on the
body of a little girl called PROUT. She was about five years old, and
her mother lived at Mulberry Square. On the Saturday morning, there
had been some kittens drowned, and it was thought the child had gone to
the landing steps and fallen into the water. She was last seen alive
near the steps at three o'clock in the afternoon. The whole
neighbourhood was searched, and the crier called her through the town,
and it was supposed she had wandered away; but at a later hour on
Saturday night, on the receding of the tide, the body was found at low
water. In the absence of evidence to show how she came into the water,
the jury returned a verdict of "found drowned."
22 MAY 1857, Friday
NOTICE - I, WILLIAM HENRY EUSTICE, of Crowan, do Hereby Give Notice,
that I will not be answerable for any debts my wife GRACE EUSTICE may
contract after this notice. Dated 16th May, 1857. Witness - JAMES
RODDA.
DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP - The Partnership between Mr. RICHARD
MARRACK, of Tavistock, and Mr. JOHN RICKARD, of Sheviock, Devonport,
having been dissolved, the Timber Trade in future will be carried on by
Mr. Rickard, on his own separate account. Mr. Rickard has large
quantities of English Oak, Elm, &c., suitable for all classes of
Shipbuilding, and bags to invite purchasers to an inspection.
Polbathick, May 18th, 1857.
WHEREAS - A Petition of ANTHONY KISTLER, of the parish of Redruth, in
the County of Cornwall, an Insolvent Debtor, having been filed in the
County Court of Cornwall, holden at Redruth, in the said County, and an
Interim Order for Protection from Process having been given to the said
Anthony Kistler under the provision of the statutes in that case made
and provided, the said Anthony Kistler is hereby required to appear in
the said court to be holden at the Town Hall, Redruth, aforesaid,
before the Judge of the said Court, on the Fourth day of June next, at
half-past Ten o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, for his first
examination touching his debts, estate, and effects, and to be further
dealt with according to the provisions of the said Statutes; and Notice
is Hereby Given that the choice of Assignees is to take place at the
time so appointed. All Persons indebted to the said Anthony Kistler,
or who have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but
to Mr. JOHN LUKE PETER, the Registrar of the said Court, at his office
at the Town Hall, Redruth, in the said County, the Official Assignee
appointed by the said Court, in that behalf, acting in the matter of
the said petition. Dated 14th May, 1857.
ECCLESIASTICAL - The Chancellor MARTIN has appointed the Rev. JOHN
WEBSTER HAWKSLEY, rector of Redruth, a Surrogate for granting Marriage
Licenses.
CONFIRMATIONS - On Tuesday last, the Bishop of Exeter confirmed the
children of Penzance and neighbouring parishes, to the number of 319,
of whom 60 were from Penzance. On Monday last, the Bishop confirmed
about 1000 persons at Helston. On Wednesday last, the Bishop confirmed
about 350 persons at St. Mary's church, Truro.
EAST LOOE - On the 4th instant, Mr. POLE CAREW, of Antony, was
unanimously elected Recorder of the ancient borough of East Looe, in
the place of Colonel ELPHINSTONE, deceased.
SUSPICION OF CHILD POISONING AT ZELAH, IN ST. ALLEN - A very serious
case has been under investigation for the last two or three weeks,
involving suspicion of poisoning a child at Zelah, in the parish of St.
Allen, about five miles from Truro. The mother of the child is GRACE
BEARD, a single woman, twenty-two years of age, who about three years
ago was a servant with Mr. CRADOCK, then living in River Street, Truro.
The child was an illegitimate one, and the mother and child have for
some time past lived at St. Allen, in a cottage occupied by Grace
Beard's father and mother. Grace Beard's father is a farm labourer,
and she also went out to labour; he child was two years and nearly nine
months old in April last, and was named HARRIET JANE BEARD. On the 4th
of April the child died, after a very short illness, and a
communication having been made to the coroner, Mr. JOHN CARLYON, it was
thought proper to hold an inquest. Mr. ANDREW, of Truro, surgeon,
accompanied Mr. Carlyon to the house of Jane Beard and examined the
body. The inquest was held at Mr. LANYON'S public house, Zelah, where
the evidence of the mother, the grandfather, and others was heard by
the coroner, from which it appeared that the child had been taken ill
the day before in the bowels, and had been very sick, and that she had
previously been a very healthy child. Nothing transpired before the
coroner to show the necessity of any further investigation, and a
verdict was returned of "died from natural causes." Circumstances,
however, came to light about a fortnight after, which induced Mr. NASH,
police superintendent at Truro, to make inquiry into the case. He
found that Grace Beard had been to Truro to purchase arsenic on the
first of April, the child having died on the 4th. He communicated with
the coroner, and having made further diligent inquiries, from the
results he was induced to communicate the circumstances to Sir GEORGE
GRAY, the Secretary of State, who sent down an order to have the body
exhumed, and evidence on the subject having been given on oath by Mr.
NASH before Capt. KEMPE, county magistrate, the latter issued a warrant
for the exhumation. In compliance therewith, on the evening of the
29th of April, Mr. Nash, with Dr. BARHAM and Mr. Andrew, surgeon, of
Truro, went to Zelah, and the sexton having taken them to the
churchyard and pointed out the grave, the body was exhumed and removed
to the belfry, where Dr. Barham and Mr. Andrew made a post mortem
examination, and sealed up portions of the stomach and intestines in
stone jars. They returned to Truro, and the jars were subsequently
taken by Mr. Nash to Bristol, in order that the contents might be
analysed by Mr. HERAPATH, the analytical chemist. The jars were
delivered by Mr. Nash to Mr. Herapath on Tuesday morning the 11th of
May, and their contents have since been under examination. With regard
to the purchase of the poison, it has been ascertained that on the 1st
of April, Grace Beard went to Truro, and called upon Mrs. ALLEN, who
lives in Kenwyn Street, and works for Mr. LEARWOOD, chairmaker. She
had been previously acquainted with Mrs. Allen, and she asked her to go
and purchase two-pennyworth of arsenic; she said her father had
requested her to get it, to poison rats. Mrs. Allen went to several
shops in Truro, but they refused to sell her the arsenic, and she
consequently returned the money to Grace Beard, who said she should go
back to her father and let him get it himself. She did not, however,
do so, but afterwards went to Mrs. MARTIN's druggist's shop, in
Boscawen street, and asked Mr. JAMES GREENWOOD, who conducts the
business, to sell her two-pennyworth of arsenic for her father to kill
rats with. Mr. Greenwood told her he could not legally sell arsenic,
but if she wished to kill rats, he could sell her some rat poison which
would so as well; and he then showed her a jar of "Roth and Ringeisen's
vermin-destroying phosphor paste," price 3d., which she purchased and
left the shop; and a sample of this material was sent by Mr. Nash to
Mr. Herapath on Saturday last for investigation. With regard to the
symptoms of the child's illness, it appears from Mr. Nash's inquiries
that the child was taken ill on Thursday the 2nd of April with
occasional pains in the bowels, and she was seen by several persons
living near the house, eating what they thought were "sweets." She was
seen eating on Thursday and Friday during Grace Beard's absence at
work; on Thursday evening she seemed to get better, but on Friday,
after again eating she became much worse. The "sweets" the neighbours
saw were of the colour of brown soap, and had somewhat of a brimstone
smell. When asked what she was eating, she said grandfather (John
Beard) had given her bread and butter and sugar. The mother took the
"sweets" from the child and threw them in the wood-corner; but shortly
afterwards the child picked the stuff up again and began to eat it, and
then soon complained of pains in the bowels, and wanted to be put to
bed. The mother put her to bed and she complained much of pain in the
stomach, and was very sick and ill during the whole of Friday night.
On Saturday morning, the mother brought the child down stairs, and made
up a bed for her on the window bench. She was sick again and got
worse; several of the neighbours were called in by the mother, and the
child was laid on her lap; and she died about eleven o'clock on
Saturday forenoon. On Thursday evening the 21st inst., Mr. NASH and
police sergeant WOOLCOCK went to Zelah and apprehended Grace Beard and
her father John Beard, and they were taken before Capt. KEMPE at Truro,
on Saturday last, and remanded until Thursday, in expectation of
receiving by that time a final communication from Mr. Herapath. It did
not, however, arrive on Wednesday evening, and therefore the case was
postponed until Friday. It may be added that a young miner called
JAMES CHAMPION, about seventeen years of age, who lived in the
neighbourhood of Zelah, has been keeping company with Grace Beard, who
is now pregnant by him, and the couple went to the Registrar's office
at Truro some time since to be married, but the marriage was prevented
by Champion's father. Since then, the father and son have gone to live
at North Country, near Redruth, and the son has not been in the
neighbourhood of Zelah for three weeks and three days previous to the
child's death. The case has been investigated with great diligence by
Mr. Nash, and we shall probably be enabled next week to give some of
the particulars of the inquiry before the magistrates, and the result
of Mr. Herapth's examination.
TRURO POLICE - On Friday last, before the Mayor and Mr. CHAPPEL,
THOMAS DAVEY, shoemaker of Pydar street, was charged with committing an
assault of an aggravated nature on his wife, MARY ANN DAVEY. The case
was remanded until Monday, when Mrs. Davey, not wishing to press the
charge, her husband was let off on paying the costs, and promising to
behave better towards his wife in future.
SUSAN WILLIAMS, a vendor of fruit, &c., was fined 5s. and costs, for
being drunk and making a disturbance on the previous evening in Bosvigo
lane.
On Tuesday, ANNA MARIN MURRAIN, from the neighbourhood of Redruth, was
charged with being disorderly, using obscene language, and fighting
with MARGARET WILLIAMS, to the annoyance of the inhabitants of
Calenick-street, between nine and ten on Monday night. The case was
proved against Murrain by police-constable GAY, but was not so clear
against Williams, who was therefore discharged, with a caution from the
bench. Murrain was convicted, and committed to the house of correction
for twenty-one days, and a previous conviction for disorderly conduct
being proved by Mr. Nash, she was further committed for one month,
after the expiration of the first period of imprisonment.
TORPOINT PETTY SESSIONS - At these sessions on the 12th instant,
RICHARD BOUNDY was summoned for trespassing on Bulland estate belonging
to Mr. W. H. POLE CAREW, in search of game. He did not appear, but the
constable having proved the service of the summons, the case was gone
into, when it was proved that Boundy landed from a boat and shot a
pheasant. He was fined GBP2 and 17s. costs, or two months imprisonment
with lard labour.
WILLIAM DOWN was fined GBP1 and 10s. 6d. costs, for assaulting J. M.
JAMES, at St. Germans, on the 22nd April. In default of payment in a
week to be imprisoned, for three weeks.
A young lad called THOMAS AVERY was brought up in the custody of
Constable WARN, of Torpoint, charged with committing several felonies.
He was first tried for stealing a pair of boots, the property of his
last master, R. MULLIS, of St. Germans, farmer. On taking him to the
constable it was found he was wearing the boots, stolen from Mullis.
Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to be imprisoned three
months with hard labour. He was not tried for stealing a basket, and
acquitted for stealing rhubarb.
CAUTION TO SCHOOLMISTRESSES - On Monday last, a schoolmistress at
Scorrier, incautiously chastised a child named SKINNER, twelve years
old, by locking her in the school-room alone during the dinner hour.
The child seemed greatly frightened and screamed so loudly that a man
passing burst open the door and liberated her, but too late to repair
the mischief. The fright had such an effect upon the poor child, that
she died the following day.
CORONERS' INQUEST - On Friday last, an inquest was held by Mr. JOHN
CARLYON, county coroner, at the Duke of Cornwall Inn, Pydar Street,
Truro, on the body of THOMAS JOHNS, miner, aged 45, who was killed at
Wheal Powell Mine the day before. It appeared that the deceased and
another miner, called JOHN OPIE, were coming up from underground in a
kibble, which was against the orders of the agents, when the descending
kibble as it passed the ascending one, knocked the deceased out of it
down to the bottom of the shaft, and injured him so severely that he
survived only to be taken to the surface and thence to the
engine-house, where he died in the course of a few minutes. Verdict
"accidental death."
The following inquests have been held before Mr. JAGOE, county
coroner:- On Monday the 11th instant, in the parish of St. Ive, on the
body of an infant child, who was found dead in bed by its mother's
side, on Saturday morning. Verdict, "died by the visitation of God."
On Wednesday, at Cawsand, in the parish of Rame, on the body of Mrs.
JANE JOHNSON, widow. She retired to rest on Monday night in her usual
state of health, and on the following morning, was found dead sitting
up in the bed. Verdict, "died from natural causes."
On Thursday, at Cargreen, in the parish of Landulph, on the body of
JOHN HILL, a pauper. He retired to rest on the Tuesday previously,
apparently in good health. On the following morning a woman went to
the house to inquire for him, and found the deceased lying at the
bottom of the stairs quite dead. Verdict, "accidentally killed by a
fall."
A CORNISHMAN IN NEW ZEALAND - To the Editor of the West Briton. - It
is well known that I am a native of Truro, and that I was brought up in
the Cornwall Gazette office. I left Truro for London in 1827. I was
employed during three years from 1827 to 1830, in Messrs. Nicholls's
office, Parliament-street, Westminster; in the Caxton office, Messrs.
Fisher and Sons, Islington, and at Messrs. Spottiswoode's, in
Shoe-lane, Fleet-street. During those years I was a local preacher,
and worshipped generally at City-road Chapel. It was my happy
privilege from 1827 to 1830, to sit under the ministry of some of the
most eminent ministers of the day, and on Lord's day mornings to
breakfast with them in the City-road chapel-house, where the never to
be forgotten Rev. JOHN WESLEY, of blessed memory, lived and died.
There I have spent some of the happiest moments of my life, and if I
have a wish ungratified, it is that this mortal frame might rest among
the remains of the hallowed dead who repose there, waiting for the
final call. Never can I forget the ministrations, of the Rev. RICHARD
WATSON, to me then the greatest of Wesleyan preachers, Dr. ADAM CLARKE,
Dr. JAMES TOWNLEY, Rev. JOHN STEPHENS, a Cornishman, Rev. JOHN JAMES,
Rev. JOHN ANDERSON, and others of the Wesleyan church; and of the Rev.
Dr. BUNTING, who still survives, the former having all served their
generation, and gone to their reward. The most memorable occasion that
I recollect, was that of the Conference of 1828, when the then Rev.
JABEZ BUNTING preached before his brethren, and a very crowded house at
City-road. His text was Mark 6, v. 6, "And he marvelled because of
their unbelief." This sermon was worthy of the great man who delivered
it, and was most powerful in its effects. His arguments in support of
the Redeemer's willingness to save were overwhelming and the house
appeared filled with the divine glory. Hundreds of ministers were
present, and endorsed the noble sentiments expressed on that occasion,
by their hearty amens, for which the old Cornish Methodists were
remarkable, and which I lament is growing into disuse, but I hope again
to be renewed. O the glorious days of old Methodism in Cornwall! The
hearty amens I have heard when our TREFFRYS, TRUSCOTTS, MARTINS, and
others, used to pour out their souls at the throne of grace in former
days, and who too have gone to their eternal reward. Revelations 14,
v. 13. I congratulate the Cornish Wesleyans on the efficient staff of
ministers labouring in my native county, as appointed by the last
Bristol Conference, and I sincerely pray that their labours may be
crowned with great success. I rejoice to learn from the Watchman
newspaper of July and August last received that John Wesley Methodism
extends throughout the length and breadth of the land. All hail! May
it prosper more and more, "Till the earth is o'verflowed, and the
universe filled with the glory of God." I find that the honoured and
respected Rev. JOHN SMITH has returned to labour in the Penzance
circuit, where he was stationed some thirty or forty years ago, with
the Rev. JOHN WATERHOUSE and Rev. W. HAYMAN, when my partner in life
cast in her lot with our people. That was in 1820-21. But this is a
digression. In 1830, when I used to attend the City-road chapel house
breakfast meetings, intelligence arrived of the success of the Wesleyan
missionaries in the Friendly Islands, and the great want of the
scriptures to put into the hands of the converts. Had I not been a
printer, I should never have been a missionary. The ever to be
lamented Rev. RICHARD WATSON asked me if I would go. I volunteered,
and I was set apart for the work, with the brethren PETER TURNER and
JAMES WATKINSON, Chelsea chapel, in June of that year.
In August following, we sailed with our wives in the "Lloyds," whaler
with supplies for the mission, and a printing press, &c., to carry out
the object we had in view. August 1830 will never be forgotten by us.
We left the shores of our beloved country never to return. On the 7th
of that month we sailed from London, and encountered a dreadful gale,
when we were in danger of running on the French coast. We put into
Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, where our bodies and spirits were
refreshed. The Wesleyan minister, the Rev. WILLIAM GRIFFITH, who had
been himself a missionary, interested himself greatly in our welfare,
and with other friends supplied us with many comforts for the voyage.
After remaining there about a week, we left with a fair wind, and soon
saw the last of the Lizard, as we sailed to our destination. Our
feelings at the moment cannot be described. Cornwall, where I had left
my parents and numerous friends and relatives, sank behind the rising
wave as we watched its shores. The pilot of Galilee was then our
nearest and dearest friend, and to him we committed ourselves and all
on board. Three of our companions, Mr. and Mrs. WATKIN and Mrs.
TURNER, were musical, and sang with us, some of our sweetest English
compositions. When on the dark blue wave, rising high and then sinking
low, we used to sing our hymns suitable to our situation and
circumstances, in which a few of the crew joined, and also at our
public services. We met with nothing remarkable on our way. Saw the
Canary Isles, the Peak of Teneriffe, &c., and when nearing the shores
of New Zealand, the captain and his men secured a sperm whale. It was
an amusing but dangerous scene. We saw the process of cutting up,
boiling down, &c., and not a little astonished at the rapacity of the
sharks, which appeared in shoals around the vessel. This is a most
dangerous employment, and the men met with the most hair-breadth
escapes from this monsters of the deep.
January 7, 1831, we entered the Bay of Islands in this country. One of
the brethren of the Church Mission came off to us, from the Paihia
station, as we entered the harbour, and our joy was great. We had all
suffered more or less from the effects of the voyage, especially our
wives, and we all went ashore to the C. M. station. To our surprise,
but great gratification, one of our brethren of the Wesleyan mission
was at the house of the Rev. H. WILLIAMS, of Paihia, named Rev. J.
HOBBS, and we were all soon at home. Then the aspects of both missions
were very discouraging. The natives were at war, killing and devouring
one another. Here and there gleams of light burst through the darkness
in which the people were enveloped, and the brethren of both missions
were sustained by the promises of God. We saw much during our sojourn
at the different stations, while the whaler was employed whaling on the
New Zealand coast, of a gratifying and painful character; and in the
early part of March, 1831, we left our friends at the Hokianga, where
they were stationed, to embark for the Friendly Isles. Hokianga is on
the western and the Bay of Islands on the eastern coast of New Zealand.
On our voyage to Tongatapu, the whalers of our crew fell in with
another sperm whale, and secured it. They had the mortification to
lose a large one after being fastened to it nearly all day, and the
flap of whose tail tossed one of the boats and the men into the air,
witnessed only by Mrs. WOON, from the deck of the ship, which gave her
a painful shock, but the men escaped without any accident. Three boats
were in pursuit of this whale from morning till sun-down, and then
escaped. The captain when he returned to the vessel threw down his hat
in great chagrin on the table, and exclaimed, "There, we have lost a[n]
eighty-barrel whale." A harpoon was fast to the poor animal, with many
fathoms of rope, and it was no doubt soon dead.
Our voyage from New Zealand to Tongatapu, was protracted and we did not
reach the island till the end of March. Our ship, which was not a fast
sailer, the old pilot off Dover saying "She moved along like a snail in
a tar-bucket," was in danger of going ashore on the small island of
Eooa, near Tongatapu, and the captain was in great concern. The wind
was contrary, and the ship could not enter the narrow reef passage to
the anchorage, and the captain took us in one of the whale boats, in
torrents of rain, to the landing place at Nukualofa. The veteran
brethren, TURNER and CROSS, were on the beach taking a walk, when, to
their surprise and indescribable joy, they hailed us to take a share of
their work, the former fast breaking down from exhaustion, and the
latter, too, very sickly, who has since gone to his eternal reward.
The life of the Rev. W. CROSS was published by the Rev. JOHN HUNT, who
laboured with him in the Feejee Islands, since dead, who was "a burning
and a shining light." This is a beautiful piece of Christian
biography, and worthy an attentive perusal. When we landed on the
shores of Tongatapu, we were speedily ushered along under the beautiful
cocoa nut, banana, plaintain, and other-trees, to the Rev. Mr.
Turner's, where we received a hearty welcome from the other members of
the mission family, and enjoyed a sweet and refreshing meal. I
remember with what delight I drank a cup of delicious tea, after being
pent up in a whaler, and we soon retired to rest. It was the end of
summer. The heat was insufferable. What with the bites of mosquitoes,
prickly heat, and the constant calls of the natives to see their new
teachers, plying us with questions we did not understand, our patience
was put to a severe test. The salutation "Jintoofa" resounded from all
quarters, which signifies great love; and the king and queen were among
the visitors. We attended the services, and were delighted to witness
so many reclaimed from heathenism, worshipping the living and true God,
and seeking their way to heaven. We gradually became at home in our
new field of labour, and commenced learning the dialect, and performing
other duties. I at once opened the cases, set up the Albion printing
press, placed the type in cases, set up my office, composed up my
forms, and at once struck off instruction for old and young, and all
were delighted. Great was the joy of all, missionaries and natives,
and the working of the press particularly astonished the Tongans, some
regarding it as a god! I laboured at all seasons during my residence
on the station, and in due time the people of Tonga and of the Friendly
Islands in general, were supplied with the scriptures, catechisms, hymn
books, theology, &c., and everything was of an encouraging character.
(See the Rev. John Williams's Missionary Enterprises, who staid with us
during his visit in 1832.) But we had our trials. In 1834 they
assumed a painful character, and that year I was led to retrace my
steps to New Zealand, leaving of my own accord. My brethren in England
and elsewhere reflected on me for taking this step; had the present
system of things existed among us then, I might have remained, but my
removal was overruled for good, and I was received kindly by the New
Zealand missionaries.
In November, 1834, I opened the mission to the south, and lived in
Kawhia till 1836, when the natives were pursuing the most revolting
acts of war and cannibalism, and they have been on our premises with
baskets of human flesh, after killing their enemies. Many
extraordinary scenes I could relate, that I witnessed in those days.
In March 1836, I returned to Hokianga, to print the scriptures for the
New Zealanders, and continued so employed, performing other duties,
preaching in native and in English, up to 1846, when we embarked for
Auckland, and I was appointed to Waimate, to labour among the
Ngatimanui. The war between the rebel natives, Heke, Kawiti, and
others, the leaders, and the patriot natives, THOMAS WALKER, his
brother, and others, and the soldiers, when lives were lost on both
sides, and we expected to be routed by the rebel party, led to this
step. In Kawhia in 1835, in Mangungu in 1842, and in Auckland in 1846,
we buried three sons, "not lost, but gone before," and we had new
trials. But the most distressing affliction we experienced as a
missionary body, was the sudden and unexpected death of the Rev. J. H.
BUMBY, in June 1840, by drowning, in the frith of the Thames, with
twelve natives, when "he sunk low, but rose high through the dear might
of him that walked the waves." It overwhelmed us all in sorrow. See
the Rev. ALFRED BARRETT's Life of the Rev. J. H. BUMBY, a very choice
and interesting piece of biography, with the history of the New Zealand
Wesleyan Mission, from the beginning. This is a choice work. There
are some mistakes in it, names of persons and places incorrectly spelt,
which I have corrected in a letter to the above talented and esteemed
minister, for the next edition. In May, 1846, I arrived at New
Plymouth, with my wife and four of our children on our way to Waimate,
and we remained three weeks among our friends, several of whom are from
Cornwall and Devonshire, and who gave us a hearty welcome. Here we met
with Helston and Falmouth friends, but the Devonians out-numbered, and
still out-number our "one and all" men there, which is at present very
low in monetary matters. One fine old man, Mr. JOHN PERRY, formerly of
Helston, is still there, who has reared a large and fine family of
children; three daughters and two sons are married, and have increasing
families - and he has prospered in the world. New Plymouth is an
interesting and beautiful locality, but at present the disturbances
among the natives about the great bugbear lands are very trying to our
countrymen. At present they are in expectation every moment of a fresh
out-break, which may lead to serious results. HENRY KING, Esq., R.N.,
formerly of Devonshire, is one of the oldest and most respectable
settlers, and his influence has kept parties in check of all grades of
political sentiments who have been at times rampant in their measures.
The minister of the establishment, the Rev. Mr. GOVETT, the Rev. Mr.
WHILEY, and the Rev. S. IRONSIDE, Wesleyans; the Rev. Mr. LONG,
Primitive Methodist, minister to both races, with the exception of the
last who preaches to the settlers, reside and have respective interests
there. Lately a large and commodious chapel connected with our cause
has been raised and opened by the indefatigable labours of Mr.
Ironside, whose name in New Zealand will never be forgotten, as he
buried the dead of the Wairau massacre, when several of our respectable
countrymen fell, by the hands of the notorious cannibal chief
"Ranoihaeata," i.e., the morning sky-breaker, the meaning of his name.
Mr. Ironside has been instrumental in organising a flourishing cause in
New Plymouth, and he is deservedly respected. I lived among the
Ngatimanui from May 1846 to October 1853, when my health failed. This
tribe is the lowest tribe in grade in New Zealand. Nearly all men,
women, and children had been slaves in the north, either among the
Noapuhi or Waikat-o-tribes, and they were a conquered people. There I
had previous known many when in captivity, returned to their own land,
and to their own homes, through the instrumentality of my brethren, and
myself, when residents among the northern tribes. The district where
the Ngatimanui reside is generally called Waimate, but that is the name
of only one settlement or fortification near the sea, where the people
located to defend themselves from their enemies in former days, where
some bloody and revolting scenes are still held in remembrance. There
are many villages and fortifications among the Ngatimanui, and a range
of the most beautiful scenery, the snow-capped, and snow-clad mountain,
"Taranaki," by Europeans called "Mount Eo'mont," in the centre, north
and south almost to the ridge of the sea, land of the finest
description, with hundreds of thousands of acres, lie waste,
uncultivated and untilled. Not an inch of this land has been sold to
Europeans, and the people hold it with the greatest tenacity to the
present day. While a resident at Heretoa, or Noateko, near Waimate,
the smallest portion, as a permanent residence, could not be secured to
the society, as we has accomplished in other parts of the land, and
during my residence there I was subjected to annoyance and insults from
the baser sort, who neither feared God nor man. In effect, I was a
missionary-squatter. Myself and dear wife suffered in various ways,
known only to ourselves, during our residence in that locality. We
were seventy miles north and seventy miles south of Europeans. We
procured the most common necessaries, either from New Plymouth or from
Whanganui, with the greatest difficulty, and our extremity was often
the natives' opportunity to make their charges. In 1848, my dear wife
unfortunately broke her leg. At that time I had a European servant,
and but for that circumstance, she might have died. It happened in May
in the depth of winter. The next day after the accident the man went
in the bitterest weather, and in six days from the time of the
fracture, the surgeon, Dr. GEORGE REES, arrived from Whanganui, just in
time to save the leg by the blessing of God, from mortification. He
stated that twenty-four hours longer would have been too late. To this
gentleman I am much indebted. He came up from his residence in a gale
of wind, and in torrents of rain, and he made a very moderate charge.
He was most assiduous in his attentions night and day, and did not
leave, till my dear wife was in a fair way of recovery. May he be
rewarded at the resurrection of the just. May the good master, who
said, "I was sick and ye visited me," reward him a thousand fold.
My position and circumstances during my residence among the Ngatimanui
till the time mentioned, were of a painful character. My mind gave
way; I became distressingly nervous. My wife had gone to Auckland to
look after our children; I was alone, I felt the power of darkness, the
enemy came in like a flood - I was useless, I could not confer with the
natives to preach to them, or to meet them under any circumstances, but
I began to weep; I neglected to take proper food. Had I remained, I
must have lost my reason. My partner in life on returning from
Auckland, was much alarmed on reaching New Plymouth, and hastened to my
relief. She found me away from home among the natives, and shortly
after made arrangements to get me away to New Plymouth to seek medical
advice and society. My legs, which for many years had given me much
trouble from long standing, composing and printing the scriptures in
Tonoat-apa, and in New Zealand, were very weak, and I at length reached
New Plymouth in safety. In New Plymouth I met with many kind friends,
but I had my trials there, I remained about nine months but continued
very nervous and excitable. To my indescribable grief, soon after I
arrived in New Plymouth, word arrived, that a gentleman and lady,
travelling the coast, had got access to the Mission House where I
lived, made too large a fire, and nearly all the Mission property, with
much of my own were destroyed by the burning of the premises! That was
a sad disaster, though many regard it as a providential circumstance,
and such has been the recklessness of the people by quarrelling with
their neighbours, resisting the "powers that be" and the counsels of
their friends the Missionaries, that no one, of the Church or Wesleyan
Missions, has attempted to take my place. From increasing infirmities,
I feel that I must sit down as a supernumerary. Two of my sons lived
in Whanganui, and in prosperous circumstances. In August 1854, I
removed to join them. We were welcomed by several friends, and we
arrived in safety after a pleasant but tedious voyage. Since I have
been in Whanganui my nerves have recovered their usual tone, but my legs
continue weak, and occasionally break out. My stipend from the
contingent fund as a supernumerary; the allowance to my two youngest
children; and my stipend for taking charge of the letters in the little
post-office here, kindly bestowed by the governor pro tempore, Colonel
WYNYARD, enable me to live in respectability and comfort, and I have
many mercies. Mrs. Woon's health is exceedingly delicate, and during
some months last years, I expected to have been bereaved, but our good
and gracious Lord has been better to me than all my fears, and I can
still raise my Ebenezer of gratitude, "hitherto hath the Lord helped
us." I have for some time past conducted two, three, and sometimes
four services, Lord's days, among the natives and Europeans. Our cause
is small. We have raised respectable sums for the great Mission fund.
We have a very interesting week-day service when several sergeants and
soldiers of the 65th regiment attend, styled a Missionary
prayer-meeting, and to read and to communicate Missionary information.
Often I feel disposed to do as the apostles did of old, as recorded in
the Acts, 4th chap. Xx. Verse:- "For we can not but speak the things
which we have seen and heard," and now and then I relate a missionary
tale.
Here I expect to remain and perhaps end my days. For some time I had
almost an unconquerable desire to see England, and Cornwall, once more;
but the feeling has passed away. Could I as easily get away, ship
myself, endure the distressing sea-sickness, &c., as when I first left,
a great obstacle would be conquered, but I must learn to be content and
deny myself the unspeakable gratification, and wait for the next
meeting of my friends there, in heaven. I might write on having done
this at several sittings, to an indefinite extent, describe the present
state and prospects of the aborigines and settlers, and other matters,
but I will resume my pen. "They serve who wait," says Dr. Young, and
such is my present position. I dearly love my native place and many
who reside there, and I beg them through this medium to accept my
warmest and best thanks for favors received, such as books,
writing-paper, envelopes, pens, &c.; and now there is an open and rapid
communication from Liverpool to Wellington, a newspaper, the Cornwall
Gazette or West Briton, to tell me what is doing at home, will be
always acceptable, directed to the postmaster, Wellington, for the
postmaster, Whanganui, New Zealand, or any small parcel to his care,
and the natives still apply to me for the above matters, some are very
deserving, while others continue to give the authorities much trouble.
With best wishes that the "Cornwall Gazette," and the "West Briton" may
prosper and increase in circulation, continue to be the friends of all,
the enemies of none, and to support everything conservative, useful,
and beneficial for my native town. I remain with very kind regards to
all my friends. Yours sincerely and affectionately, WILLIAM WOON,
Whanganui, Wellington District, New Zealand, January 19, 1857.
EXETER DISTRICT COURT OF BANKRUPTCY - Friday, May 15. Re WILLIAM BURT,
builder, of St. Stephens by Launceston, Cornwall. This was a sitting
for last examination, adjourned from the last court. Mr. COWLARD (of
the firm of GURNEY and LETHBRIDGE COWLARD, solicitors, Launceston),
appeared for the assignees; and Mr. PITTS (of the firm of BISHOP and
PITTS, solicitors, of Exeter), appeared for the bankrupt. It will be
remembered that the examination was adjourned for the purpose of
enabling the bankrupt to amend his balance sheet, which he did as
follows:- On the debtor side, debts owing for which no consideration
has been given, GBP1088; amount due to creditors, holding mortgages,
liens, or other securities, GBP1737. 12s. 10d; all other debts owing,
GBP2741. 17s. 2d.; profits of business, on work done, amounting to
GBP2464. 17s. 2d.; profits of business, on work done, amounting to
GBP2464. 12s. at twenty per cent GBP410. 13s. 4d.; receipts from
quarry, GBP54. 8s. 9d.; on farming, three years at GBP150 per annum,
GBP450; cash received of Mrs. BURT, from Feb. 5 to Nov. 1856, GBP192.
Total GBP6674. 12s. 4d. On the creditors side, debts owing (for which
no consideration given, as on the debtor side), GBP88; ditto marriage
settlement, GBP1000; deficiency at commencement, as per account,
GBP1621. 1s. 8d.; debts due - good, GBP378. 4s. 3d.; bad GBP39. 15s.
10d.; doubtful, GBP9. 6s. 8d.; property mortgaged, GBP1100; all other
property, GBP441. 15s. 8d.; Losses, GBP427. 1s.; trade expenses,
GBP981. 0s. 5d.; household ditto, GBP587. 2s. 6d.; difference, GBP1.
4s. 2d. Total GBP6674. 12s. 1d.
Mrs. Burt was examined at great length by Mr. Cowlard. She stated that
if it was set forth in her last examination, that she had lent Mr.
HAMLYN GBP50, that was an error - the amount of the original loan was
GBP15, but it had been reduced to GBP13. She had paid into the bank in
February, 1856, the sum of GBP33, but she could not tell where that
money came from, it might have been the overplus of the sum paid to her
by Miss COLES. It was true that her Irish property ceased in November,
1854, but she was paid a year's arrears at the end of 1855, and perhaps
the sum mentioned, GBP33, might have been some part of it.
Mr. Cowlard - Passing from that, I see in the last examination you
referred to some cattle purchased by your son LAMBERT in 1856. At what
period of the year did you let him have the money for that purpose?
Witness - I cannot tell. There was some cattle bought, but I cannot
tell what. Mr. Cowlard - On the 13th of December 1856, there was
GBP100 drawn out of the bank. Was any part of that amount laid out in
farming stock for your son? Witness - I might have been, but I am sure
I cannot tell. The Commissioner - If a satisfactory explanation is not
given, I shall be compelled to suspend your husband's certificate. You
said you laid out money on farming stock for your son? Witness - Well,
whatever I said was the truth, but I am so unaccustomed to business;
don't be angry, my lord. (Laughter) The Commissioner - Oh! I am not
angry, but you must try to give direct answers to plain questions.
Witness - There were bullocks I know, which were bought for my son.
The boy asked for money to buy cattle, and I let him have some. That
had nothing to do with moneys advanced to my husband. The Commissioner
- Now, the question is, what did you advance to your husband? Witness
- I lent him GBP192 altogether. I believe all the cattle was sold in
the sale at my husband's bankruptcy. JOHN COMLEY, my son's manager,
bought in the stock, and I drew out GBP105 from the bank to pay for the
animals. I had only GBP50 in a bank post bill at the time of Mr.
Burt's difficulties. Among the articles removed to JACKSON's was a tea
canister, but I am not aware of its contents. There is also a
hair-trunk there, but I don't know what that contains. The
Commissioner said if the witness chose to answer in this way it was
impossible her husband could pass. Mr. Cowlard said he had been
refused a sight of the articles in the trunk and canister. Witness
said she had no objections to his seeing them. Mr. Pitts and Mr.
Cowlard wanted to take away the goods which were claimed by the
trustees. He had no objection to his seeing them. Mr. Cowlard - We
wanted to take away our own goods. Mr. Pitts - You had no right,
without a warrant from this court to do so. Mr. Cowlard asked the
Court to grant him permission, if the assignees were satisfied that the
goods belonged to the estate, to bring an action. The Commissioner
said there could be no objection to that. Mr. Cowlard, in answer to
the Commissioner, said the goods in question were valued at GBP300.
Mrs. Burt - Oh! dear, Mr. Cowlard - they are not worth more than GBP40.
Mr. Cowlard said the insurance effected upon all the furniture was
GBP850, and the trumpery things had been sold whilst the most valuable
articles had been removed. For instance, a picture - the subject being
game - was insured at GBP50 - that was at Jackson's. The Commissioner
said there could be no objection to the bankrupt's passing his last
examination, but he surely could not have a certificate unless he was
satisfied that all the property was given up. Mr. Pitts said if an
action was brought the whole of the value of the goods would be
swallowed up in costs. The Commissioner said the facts were in a
nutshell, and it would be far better to refer the whole to arbitration.
Mr. Pitts applied for an allowance for Mrs. Burt, as she had come to
this court twice, at great inconvenience and expense. The commissioner
said he could not allow it. If the goods had been allowed to remain
where they were, it would have been a different thing altogether. Mr.
Pitts said the goods had been removed at Mr. Cowlard's request, he
acting at the time as Mr. Burt's solicitor. Now he came there and
complained of the consequences of his own act. The Commissioner said
he could not help that. He complained of the act on the part of the
creditors, the interests of whom it was his duty to watch. It was
clearly a clandestine proceeding, and need not for the interests of
Mrs. Burt have been done - because if the goods had been claimed by her
trustees it would have been east to have come to some arrangement in
reference thereto.
The allowance to the bankrupt of GBP1. 10s. per week was ordered to be
continued up to the time of the first meeting for last examination. If
the dispute with reference to the goods is amicably settled, without
litigation, it is expected that the estate will pay a dividend of 5s.
in the pound.
29 MAY 1857, Friday
ECCLESIASTICAL - The Rev. G. DEMPSTER JOHNSTONE has been appointed to
the Rectory of Creed, void by the resignation of the Rev. JOHN DAUBUZ.
Patron, Mr. CHRISTOPHER H. T. HAWKINS, of Trewithen. The Rev. RICHARD
VAUTIER to the Vicarage of Kenwyn and Kea, on the collation of the
bishop.
THE ARMY - Lieutenant FRANCIS RETALLACK, of H.M. 16th Foot, Military
Secretary to Sir EDMUND HEAD, Bart., Governor General of Canada, to be
Captain by purchase.
EAST LOOE - VIEWING THE TOWN BOUNDS - This ancient custom took place
in this Borough on Monday the 26th inst. The Mayor, Captain RILEY
R.N., Mr. BISHOP, the Town Clerk, and many of the burgesses went the
usual rounds. Money and biscuits were freely scattered about at
different places, and eagerly scrambled for by the boys and girls, who
mustered in strong force, and which eased much fun and amusement.
Afterwards by invitation of the junior aldermen, Messrs. ROBERT THOMAS
and R. H. SHAPCOTE, the Mayors of East and West Looe, the Town Clerk
and burgesses, dined together at the Ship Inn, when loyal, local, and
other toasts were drank and warmly responded to.
NEWQUAY - This well known delightful little watering place is again
assuming its gay and summerlike appearance. Several persons from other
parts are already here enjoying the pure sea air of this healthy coast.
CAUTION TO SCHOOLMISTRESSES - We are requested to state that the
paragraph which appeared in the West Briton of last week, under the
head of "Caution to Schoolmistresses", had no reference to the
respectable establishment at Scorrier, so long and so ably conducted by
Miss PROWSE and her predecessor Miss DENNIS; the circumstance therein
mentioned occurred at a small school in the adjoining parish.
CHILD DROPPING - On Tuesday morning last, as Mr. TRENERRY, butcher,
of Buck's head, was walking on the Michell road, a little the other
side of the two milestone from Truro, where a lane joins the turnpike,
he heard a child crying, and on going into the lane, whence the sound
proceeded, he found inside some furze, between that and the hedge, to
infants wrapped up in clothing and lying on the ground, their clothes
being very wet, as a great deal of rain had fallen that morning. He
sent on a message by a man who was going to Truro, to Mr. NASH, the
police superintendent, to inform him that two infants had been found by
the roadside. The little deserted creatures were taken to a farm house
occupied by Mr. GLANVILLE, near the road, and there some warm milk was
given them, which they eagerly drank, and seemed much revived. Mr.
Nash, on receiving the information at the police station, communicated
with the relieving officer, Mr. RICKARD, and was going with him in a
cab to the spot; but before the started, the two children were brought
into Truro by a labourer named EDWARD POPE, who had been sent in with
them. One of the infants was a boy about ten months old; the other a
female about three months. The boy was a fine healthy little fellow,
with black eyes; was a lively child, and laughed when he was brought
into the police station; the other was not so strong and not so well
clothes as the boy, who when picked up, had a red and white shawl
closely pinned around him; the little girl had an article of female
clothing wrapped around her, and underneath they were each poorly clad,
and all they had on had been wet through by the heavy rain. The little
girl was cold when brought to the station, and cried very much, but
their wants having been attended to they were soon in better condition,
and were taken to the Truro Union-house in a cab, by Mr. Nash and Mr.
Richard. It is believed that the unnatural mothers of these young
children, who thus cruelly exposed them, will be discovered.
On the 18th instant two women, each with an infant, and a girl seven
years of age with them, and accompanied by a man, were admitted for
temporary relief into the Truro Union-house. The two women said their
names were CARPENTER and MOON, and the man said he was a miner and was
Moon's husband. The same parties, but without the man, were again
admitted on Saturday last, and remained in the house till Sunday
morning, when after breakfast they left. On Sunday afternoon they had
some water at the Michell-hill toll-gate, and afterwards were in
conversation with some gipsies further on the road. On Monday
afternoon they were again seen in Truro; and later in the evening they
were seen by several persons near the two mile stone, sitting by the
side of the road with their infants, within a few yards of the spot
where the children were found next morning. The white bonnets the
children wore were noticed by persons passing on the road; and we are
informed that the two infants have been recognised by the governor of
the union and others, as having been there previously. Exertions are
now being made to apprehend the mothers, and to make them suffer the
penalty of the law for their unnatural conduct.
BURGLARY AT EAST LOOE - WILLIAM COOK, a miner, has been committed for
trial, charged with stealing three GBP5 Bank of England notes, GBP21.
17s., and a silver watch guard, from the premises of WILLIAM ALFORD, an
innkeeper, residing at East Looe.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM POISONING BY ARSENIC - Mr. PENROSE, of Trevorrian,
IN THE PARISH OF Sancreed, recently sent a bag of wheat to Nancothan
Mill - a short distance from that estate, but in the parish of Madron.
Mr. POOL, of Nancothan, has been in the habit of clearing out his mill
on Saturday, laying poison for rates, and clearing the poison away on
Mondays. Mr. Penrose's wheat was the first to be ground on Monday
week, and as the top of his sack was strongly impregnated with arsenic,
while the bottom was but slightly so, it is presumed that arsenic was
left in the hopper. The man (a new hand) who was told to clean the
mill out on Monday morning, has been discharged for his carelessness.
The deadly sack was taken to Trevorrian, and on Tuesday the first lot
of flour was converted into a pudding for dinner. Mr. Penrose jun.,
was from home, and his wife being in delicate health did not partake of
the pudding. After dinner all were seized with nausea and sickness,
which was not improved by the next meal, tea, when a loaf from the same
flour was eaten by the whole family, including Mrs. Penrose. All night
the family were in a dreadful state, and on Wednesday morning, Mr. J.
R. QUICK, of Penzance, surgeon, was sent for, who found it necessary to
prescribe remedies. Up to Tuesday night two members of the family were
still suffering severely. Mr. Penrose, sen., is much swollen, and the
two women experience great pain and are still weak. Portions of the
pudding, bread, and flour have been analysed by Dr. MONTGOMERY, of
Penzance. The pudding and flour at once yielded arsenic; the flour
required a very careful analysis, but at length was found to contain
the poison, the greater portion of which, it is supposed, was on the
top of the sack. "Toll" was taken at the mill, and a cake made from
it. The Miller's boy ate of it, and was also sick and ill.
STICKER MINERS' SCHOOL - This school was opened in January last year,
and is supported by subscriptions from the working miners of the
district, together with the following donations:- Mr. E. R. TITIAN,
GBP4. 7s. 6d.; Mr. STEPHEN BARKER, 10s.; Mr. JOSEPH MORCOM, 10s.; and
Mr. J. GELDARD, 5s. Each miner, by subscribing 1s. per month, sends
two of his sons to the school, and is himself entitled to the use of
the reading-room; and by payment of 2s. per month, the whole of the
miners' sons, from five years old and upwards; the reading-room is
supplied with the Mining Journal, Illustrated London News, and other
London papers, a Birmingham paper, and the West Briton; all these are
given to the room free. The average number of pupils is about fifty
per day; the hours of teaching from nine till twelve, two to four, and
seven to nine o'clock; this is to accommodate the different "cores."
There are young men of the age of thirty, regular attendants. Our
correspondent adds that they have recently had the pleasure of a
lecture on Chemistry, from Mr. PEARCE, of the Truro School of Mines.
Donations of papers, books, or money, will be thankfully received, in
aid of this very praiseworthy institution.
ACCIDENT TO A SAILOR - On Monday afternoon, a sailor named JOHN
START, belonging to a vessel of Looe, went on board one of the new
vessels in Mr. CLIBBETT's yard, Appledore, and perceiving that the cap
on the mast was on the wrong "sloo," he was requested by the
master-rigger to go aloft and adjust it. He proceeded up the rigging
and got on the top, from whence he fell to the very bottom of the
vessel, striking on the combings of the hull in his way, by which his
skull was so severely fractured that some of the splintered bone was
scattered on the deck, and a portion of the brain made visible. The
unfortunate man was taken up bleeding profusely and carried to the
house of Mrs. ACKLAND on the New Quay, where he was soon attended to by
the Messrs. PRATT, surgeons. The owner of the vessel to which he
belonged is Mr. SCANTLEBURY, of Looe.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - On Monday last, an inquest was held by Mr. JOHN
CARLYON, at the George and dragon public-house, Truro, on the body of
JOHN WILTON, aged sixty-seven years, who drowned himself on Sunday
morning last, by precipitating himself from the East Bridge, Truro,
into the river. From the evidence of RACHEL WILTON, his widow, it
appeared that he had been out of his mind for the last three or four
years; he had never been sent to the asylum, but had been in the union
house on three occasions - the last time about twelve months ago, when
he remained there three weeks, and since then he had been residing with
her. Fro the last six months he had been very troublesome, and had
attempted to destroy himself three or four times before. On Saturday
night, he was getting out of bed continuously, but did not leave the
bedroom until about half-past five o'clock on Sunday morning, he then
went down stairs without dressing himself and witness followed him and
saw him in the kitchen sitting in a chair; she then ran back to the
room to put on her gown, and while she was doing so, he stole out of
the house; she followed him as soon as she could, and found that he
must have gone direct to the bridge, and thrown himself over. Verdict,
"insanity."
THE CHARGE OF POISONING AT ZELAH, IN ST. ALLEN - We stated last week
that GRACE BEARD, single woman, twenty-two years of age, and her
father, JOHN BEARD, living at Zelah, in St. Allen, about five miles
from Truro, had both been apprehended on suspicion of poisoning the
illegitimate child of Grace Beard; that the body of the child had been
exhumed, and the contents of the stomach submitted for analysis to Mr.
HERAPATH, the eminent analytical chemist, of Bristol. On Friday and
Saturday last, an investigation of the case took place before Capt.
KEMPE, county magistrate, Truro. John Beard and Grace Beard were
charge with having, on the 4th of April last, poisoned HARRIET JANE
BEARD, by administering phosphorus or some other poison; and in support
of the charge the following evidence was adduced:-
JECOLIAH ROBERTS, deposed:- I am the wife of THOMAS ROBERTS, a
labourer, and live at St. Allen, in a house next door to the prisoners,
John and Grace Beard. I have known them and Harriet Jane Beard,
daughter of the said Grace Beard, for two years, ever since they came
there to live. I believe she was nearly three years old. Their and
our house are under the same roof. Ever since I have known the child
Harriet Jane Beard she has been a healthy child. I never saw anything
the matter with her; she was very intimate with my daughter, OLIVIA
ROBERTS, and frequently came into my house, in and out with her. On
Thursday morning, the 2nd of April last, about seven o'clock, Grace
Beard sent for me to come into her house; I went in and saw the
deceased lying on her lap apparently quite stiff; her arms were hanging
down still, and her eyes were fixed looking upwards towards the
planching. I spoke to the child and touched it on the face, and in a
minute or two she looked around and moved her head a little, but
couldn't speak. I went into my house and got a bit of white bread and
butter, as I thought she wouldn't eat the barley bread which her mother
had. I then went to my work at Mr. BEST'S farm; I returned to dinner
about one o'clock; the child then appeared quite well; she came into my
house, and I gave her again a piece of bread and butter, which she ate
cheerfully. I saw her again in the evening out running about seeming
quite well, and also on the following Friday morning, and at dinner
time I again gave her a piece of bread and butter which she then ate,
appearing quite well. When I returned in the evening, just before six
o'clock, I heard the child was ill and gone to bed. On the Saturday
morning, the 4th, about seven o'clock, Grace Beard came into my house
and said, "Jecoliah, my child is very bad;" and I said, "Grace, what is
the matter with it?" and she said "it had been sick and throwing up,
and washing down all the night." I then told her to go in and give it
a little hyssop tea - that would settle the stomach; she said, "my
child is very bad. I am afraid it will die." She then went in. When
I came out, a little before eight o'clock to go to work, she was
standing in her door and came across the road after me when I was going
to work; she was crying and said, "my child will die." I said, "why do
you think your child will die?" She said, "I am afraid my father has
given it what he ought not to." I did not say anything, but walked on.
Before I came back to dinner the child was dead. I saw the child dead
in a tray on the Saturday, one eye was shut and the other not quite
closed. There was nothing unusual in her appearance. I had no farther
conversation with Grace Beard about the child, until the following
Wednesday morning. I was going to work with her; she worked at the
same place that I did. She said, "I have accused my father wrongfully,
I hope the Lord will forgive me." I said, "why did you accuse your
father wrongfully." She said "I don't know, I thought my child had
eaten what it ought not to;" nothing more was then said. The body of
the child was taken up on a Wednesday evening, I believe the 29th of
last month.
On the Monday morning, after that, as I was going to work with her, she
said "if my child is injured, my father has done it." I said "Grace,
why do you think so? have you any reason?" She said "I was in to
Truro, and my father asked me to buy three pennyworth of arsenic, for
Mr. TOZER, for rats and mice, and I went to a druggist's shop, Mrs.
MARTIN's, and asked for three pennyworth of arsenic, and she refused to
give it, and said I sell a paste for rats and mice, and I have a pot of
three pennyworth, and when I came home, I met my father at the door,
and I gave it to him, gave him the change, and he said don't tell your
mother and I am afraid my father gave it to the child." I said "why
did you bring it home?" She said "my father sent for it." I was into
our house on the Friday, about dinner-time sitting down, and the child
came in saying "father gave my nicy," and Olivia, my daughter went to
her, and catched it away, saying "you shan't eat it you beastly little
thin," as she thought it was soap, and gave it to me, and I thought it
was like the meat of an almond comfit, but it smelled very much like
brimstone, and I threw it into the wood corner. I have had no further
conversation with her about the child. On the same day, immediately
after the death of the child, I heard John Beard swearing d----g on his
daughter, that he would throw her out of doors if she didn't hush
crying for the child; he said "your child is much better cared for than
thee can'st do for her." On the Sunday morning, after the child was
taken up, he came out to the door of his house, and was swearing,
wishing all the neighbours was in hell-flames, that they couldn't leave
the child quiet in the grave, after everything was settled.
After Mr. Nash had been out making searching inquiries, he said Mr.
Nash had inquired where he had been working, and if he had picked up
any poisonous things, and if there were any varmints about the house,
and he told him he had been working at Mr. JOHN MICHAEL's about seven
or eight days. Then he said "Jecoliah, she has brought me to the
gallows." A few days before the prisoners were apprehended, I heard
the prisoners talking together; Grace Beard said to her father, you
know I brought home the paste, what has been done with it?" The old
man made no answer.
Olivia Roberts - I am the daughter of the last witness, and know
Harriet Jane Beard very well. I have known her for about two years.
She was continually in the habit of coming into our house. She was
never ill that I knew of before the Thursday morning before her death.
I saw her on the Thursday morning a little before eight, after my
mother had been in to see her. She was on her mother's lap. I took in
a piece of bread and butter for her; her mother put the bread and
butter to her moth, but she could not swallow it. I saw her throw up.
She came out about nine or ten o'clock, and was looking rather pale.
She came in again at dinner time and my mother gave her a piece of
bread and butter, which she ate. She appeared pretty well. She was
out running about on the Thursday afternoon apparently quite well. On
the Friday morning, I saw her again several times, and she was then
quite well. At dinner time she came into my mother's house, and my
mother gave her a piece of bread and butter, which she ate, but before
dinner time I saw her in our house eating something like the meat of an
almond comfit. I said, "Who gave it you?" She said "Father has just
given it to me for nicy." I said," I think it is soap you dirty little
beast." I took it from her and gave it to Grace Beard, her mother.
She said it looked like the meat of an almond comfit, but it smells
like brimstone. She took it and threw it into our wood corner. Then
mother went out and Harriet Jane took it up again and ate it. In the
afternoon of that day, Grace Beard went with me to pick wood, and we
came back about four or five o'clock. When we were coming down the
hill near our house, Harriet Jane came towards us. She had a piece of
bread and something in her hand which she was eating. Her mother asked
her who gave it to her. She said, "Fader." It was dark like what she
had been eating in the morning, and was plastered smooth over the
bread. She had nearly eaten all the piece; she then appeared quite
well. I did not see her any more that day. On Saturday morning,
between eight and nine o'clock, just after my mother went to work, I
went into Grace Beard's house, and saw Harriet Jane in a little bed in
the window seat. She was looking pale and bad. She was continually
wanting to drink, saying, "Please give me some drink." She spoke
distinctly, and when her mother gave her water she always threw it up
again. I should think her mother gave her cold water five or six time.
She did not say anything, but was continually asking to drink. I did
not see her move her eyes while I was there, but she could move her
limbs. She died between ten and eleven o'clock. I saw Grace Beard
take the child in her arms, and she screamed out; the grandmother said,
"she is like a little pig hanged to a gate." Grace Beard was crying.
Before the child died she was throwing both her arms about, and just as
she died she stretched out her arms and legs and became quite stiff. I
immediately left the house. In the afternoon I heard John Beard
cursing and swearing, and he said to Grace, "If you don't hush crying I
will heave you out of doors."
SARAH ROBERTS - I am the wife of WILLIAM ROBERTS, son of Jecoliah
Roberts, and live in the same house with the former witnesses. On the
Thursday morning I saw the deceased, and her mother asked me to lend
her a little treacle for the child, which I carried into her, but the
child was unable to eat it. The child was on her mother's lap and
constantly throwing up watery stuff; she, however, soon got better, and
was able to run about. She appeared well during that day, and also on
the Friday. I saw her come into our house on Friday with something in
her hand, and Olivia asked her what she was eating. She said "twas
nicy fader gave me." I saw Olivia take it away and give it to her
mother, Grace Beard, who was also present. On the Saturday morning,
between seven and eight o'clock, Grace Beard again came into our house,
and said the child had been ill all night. After breakfast I went into
her house and saw the deceased in the window lying down apparently very
ill. I went in again soon afterwards, and saw her on her mother's lap
sick and throwing up, and she was a little convulsed before she died.
Grace Beard was crying very much. The grandmother said " I think the
child is making more of it than she need to; she has never know a day's
sickness before." John Beard came home to dinner on the Friday. On
the Sunday after the body of the child had been taken up, I heard John
Beard cursing and swearing on the neighbours because they had informed
that the child was poisoned. He wished them all in hell-flames,
because they wouldn't leave the child rest in the grave.
JAMES GREENWOOD - I am a chemist, and manager of Mrs. MARTIN'S
business at Truro. In the early part of April, about six weeks ago,
the prisoner Grace Beard, came to our shop and asked for arsenic, which
I refused to sell, telling her we did not sell it at all. She they
said she wanted it for destroying rats. I then showed her a pot of
phosphoric paste we sell for that purpose, which she purchased, giving
me sixpence, and I gave her threepence change. It is similar to the
pot now produced. This paste is procured from London, and I do not
know the constituents of this particular kind. It has a German name,
but I believe is manufactured in London. I find that phosphoric paste
for destroying rates in some instances is said to contain as much as
eight grains of phosphorous per ounce; and in that case there would
probably be about eight grains of phosphorus in this size pot.
JAMES STEPHENS:- I am the sexton of the parish of St. Allen in this
county, and have been so for about fifteen years. On the sixth of
April last, I interred the body of Harriet Jane Beard, in St. Allen
churchyard; and I took up the same coffin to show Dr. BARHAM, Mr.
ANDREW, and Mr. NASH, on the 29th day of April last. I swear it is the
same coffin I buried on the sixth of April. Grace Beard was at the
funeral.
WILLIAM JOSEPH NASH:- I am Superintendent of the police at Truro.
When I received information as to the deceased being poisoned, I laid
information before the magistrates, and having obtained the authority
of the Secretary of State to exhume the body, I accompanied Dr. Barham
and Mr. Andrew to the belfry at St. Allen, and was present when the
internal parts of the body of the deceased were brought to Truro. I
brought them the following day to Mr. Andrew's surgery, and the
contents of one jar, subsequently placed after examination in two jars.
All four jars and bottles were sealed and delivered by me to Mr.
Herapath, at Bristol on the 5th instant. On Monday the 11th instant, I
asked the prisoner, John Beard, how long he had resided in that house;
he said "about three years." I asked him if he had any rats about the
premise; he said "No, and no kind of vermin; about a year and a half
ago I caught a rat in a gin, and had not seen any on the premises since
that time". I asked him where he worked, he said he occasionally
worked for Mr. TOZER, farrier at Zelah, and also for Mr. MICHAEL, a
farmer. On the Wednesday following I went to Mr. Tozer, and he told me
he had not authorised Beard to fetch him any drugs; he always sent a
note to his druggist at Truro, when he wanted them. I also asked Mr.
Tozer if Beard could get to his medicines, and he said "No, I always
keep the key myself." On the Thursday, (the following day) I again
went to Zelah, and asked Beard if he had any occasion to purchase
poison to kill rats? he said "Never." On this I went into Mrs.
Roberts's house, and sat down with Grace Beard; I asked her if ever she
had gone into Truro to purchase poison to kill rates; she said, "No."
I asked her if she ever went to procure arsenic; she said "No." I said
if any persons should come forward to say she has been to Truro to
purchase arsenic would he tell a falsehood. She paused a second, and
then said, "I remember going into Truro on the 1st of April, to
purchase two-penny worth of arsenic for my father to destroy rates." I
asked her who it was she asked to buy it; she said she went to Mrs.
Allen with whom she was acquainted, and gave her sixpence and told Mrs.
Allen she wanted two-pennyworth of arsenic for her father to poison
rats as he had sent her; Mrs. Allen went to procure it, but returned
and gave her the sixpence and said they would not sell it; she went
herself to Mr. martin's shop, and asked for two-pennyworth of arsenic
for her father who wanted it to destroy rats; Mr. Martin told her she
could not sell her any arsenic, as there was a heavy penalty on it; but
he said she could sell her some rat poison, which would do equally as
well, and he produced one of the small pots of rat poison, and she gave
him sixpence and had threepence change, she then left the shop, and
took it home and gave it to her father. She told me she had not
injured the child, and could clear herself.
In the evening I went and purchased a pot of Roth and Ringeisen's paste
at Mrs. Martin's shop, which I showed her, and she said it was exactly
like the one she had purchased there, and smelt very much like
brimstone, and repeated several times it was very like the smell of
what she took from her child's hands at Mrs. Roberts's and threw into
the wood corner. I produce a pot of the paste I purchased at Mrs.
Martin's, a pot of the same fort I also sent to Mr. Herapath in a
registered letter. She also said that on the Friday afternoon, the day
before the child's death, she and Olivia Roberts met the child eating
something, and that she asked what have you got dear; she said bread
and sugar fader gave me." She also said she was sure at that time
there was no sugar in the house, and it was seldom there was any sugar
there. She repeatedly said she hoped before the magistrates she might
be able to say everything she knew; that the paste she bought for her
father must have injured her child.
WILLIAM WOOLCOCK:- I am a serjeant of police at Truro; I accompanied
Mr. Nash to Zelah, and was present during all the conversation he has
spoken of, and corroborate all he has said; and I can state that when
we apprehended John Beard, I went up stairs after him, and his wife was
anxious to know what he was took up for. He swore out on her and told
her to hold her tongue. I remonstrated with him; and he said, she
knows what I am taken up for.
CHARLES BARHAM, doctor of medicine residing at Truro, and HENRY ANDREW,
surgeon and apothecary of Truro, also gave evidence.
The preceding evidence having been given, the prisoners made the
following voluntary statements, after the usual caution had been given
them:- Grace Beard said:- On the 1st of April I came down stairs with
my little girl in the morning (about seven o'clock.) My father was
sitting at the end of the table. Whilst dressing the little girl,
Jecoliah Roberts passed the window. I said, Harriet Jane, Liah is gone
by, call to her," which she did. Jecoliah Roberts came into the house,
and spoke to the child, and said, how she is thriving. My father said,
it would be a blessing if she was in heaven. My father then asked
Jecoliah if she was going to Truro that day; she said she was not going
until Saturday. He said he wanted to send for an errand, but not
saying what. I said I must either go to Truro or send, I have no more
bread than that on the shelf. My father left the house; shortly after,
perhaps a quarter of an hour, he came back, and gave me sixpence, and
told me to bring home three pennyworth of arsenic or rats bane. I
said, what are you going to do with that, father? He said, it was for
poisoning rats; but whether he said it was for Mr. Tozer, or he had the
money from Mr. Tozer, I am not sure which. I came in to Truro, and I
went to Mr. Learwood's shop, and inquired if Mrs. Allen was there.
Mrs. Allen came out of the shop, and shook hands with me, and asked me
if I was not going up to the house; I said I could not stay. I said, I
want you to go into a shop and get three pennyworth of arsenic or rats
bane for my father to poison rats. She went into a shop, and came out
and told me unless there were three superior evidences, she could not
have it; I said, well then, my father may fetch it himself. I left
Mrs. Allen, and went across the street, and looked in at Mrs. Martin's
shop, and saw in the window a book with a rat in it, which was said for
destroying rats; I went in, and told a gentleman I took to be Mr.
Martin, I wanted three penny-worth of arsenic, or somewhat, for
destroying rats, which my father had sent me for. The gentleman
replied, yes, we are not allowed to sell arsenic, as there have been so
many poisoned, but I will give you a paste instead. He put two pots on
the counter, one a sixpenny one, and the other a threepenny one; I
said, I would take a threepenny one, which I paid for. He said,
remember that's poison. Well, I said, Mr. Martin you know me, if you
hear of any one poisoned, you will know who you sold paste to; I then
left. When I came home my father was at the door with the latch in his
hand; I put my hand in my pocket, took out the paste and gave it to
him, he said, "you needn't say anything to your mother." I then went
to Trelane, and stayed there until about seven o'clock in the evening.
When I came home, I found my child gone to bed, and also my father, at
an unusually early hour. I said it was wonderful he was gone to bed so
soon, as he generally went to bed with my mother; my child was sleeping
sound when I went to bed. About six o'clock in the morning, I was
about getting up, my child was lying across me playfully, and I told
her to be quiet, shortly after she screamed and said there was a flea
eating of her belly. I looked to see if there was one there, and her
bowels seemed to be puffed. She was still screaming. I said, mother,
mother, what is the matter with the child; she was very pale. My
mother replied, perhaps she has a pain in her belly. I dressed and
carried her down stairs. While I was dressing her she was convulsed
and seemed to discolour and was stiff. I said "Mother, mother," and
she said "Name of God you are enough to frighten one to death; you make
more to see that child sick than you would to find me dead." I said,
"I would rather bury every one belonging to me than lose my child."
Jecoliah Roberts came in, and what she said is true; the child was sick
and threw up, and she shortly afterwards recovered and remained well
until Friday evening. She came to me in the morning about dinner time
as stated by Olivia and Sarah Roberts, and had something in her hand
eating. I asked her where she got it; she replied it was nicy fader
gave her. When Olivia Roberts took it away, the child screamed and
said it was nicy fader gave her. I smelled to it, and said it was like
brimstone, and stunk enough o choke the pigs, and I threw it into the
wood-corner. In the afternoon when I was returning from picking sticks
with Olivia Roberts I met my child. She was eating something. I asked
her where she was going. She said "Fader had given her bread and
sugar." I went into Jecoliah Roberts's and said "It is wonderful the
child has had bread and sugar;" because at dinner time she had come
into the house and was crying, and said she wanted a potatoe, and they
(my father and mother) would not give her any one. I then went in and
was going to light the fire in the oven, and the child came in, and
said he was bad and wanted to go to bed. I said "where are you bad
to?" she replied "in mines belly." I took the child and warmed her
before the fire and put her to bed and offered her a piece of bread,
which I found in the bed in the morning. About nine o'clock I went to
bed and she was sleeping; soon after I was in bed the child was taken
throwing up. I said, father the child is sick, will you light the
candle. He swore and said there is no rest night nor day, I will have
alterations shortly. I said, you are never disturbed with my child,
for she don't disturb any one at night. The child after about
half-an-hour seemed to get easier. I had not been long asleep before I
was awakened by the child throwing up, and the child was sick
throughout the night working up and down, and did not sleep afterwards
until about five o'clock. About six, mother asked me how the child
was? I said she is asleep and I don't mean to disturb her yet.
Shortly after this she awoke and began to throw up. Mother advised me
to give it a little hyssop tea. I said to Jecoliah Roberts, I was
afraid she had eaten something she ought not to, and if she had, my
father had given it to her. I brought down my child shortly after and
put her in the window. She wanted to drink several times and I gave
her cold water, and I told her I was afraid so much cold water would
make her bad. About ten o'clock she got up in the window and said "Ma,
me better." I said, come her and kiss e, and took her up in my arms,
and she put her arms around my neck. Shortly after she screamed out
and said "my feet are cold, put on my boots" - which I did. She
afterwards fell a little on one side and I screamed "Oh my child," and
my mother said, "Name of God, you are enough to frighten any one to
death." When I took her again on my lap she said, "My arm is sore."
Shortly after she became stiff and fixed her eyes towards me and
remained in that position for some minutes; after that she became
convulsed, she raised her arm to my mouth, but was constantly twitching
her arm, and moved her mouth. I handed the child to my mother, and
went into Elizabeth Ball's house for about a quarter of an hour, as she
said she wanted to see me, and when I returned the child was dead. I
said "My child, my child" and screamed, and my father said if I didn't
stop screeching he would heave me to doors; the child is better off
than thee can'st do for it." I asked my father twice what he did with
the paste and he would not tell me. On the Saturday morning I asked
Sarah Roberts if she was going to Truro, and would send out Mr. Painter
the parish surgeon. She said she was not going, but Jecoliah was and
she would tell her to do so.
John Beard said:- I shall leave what I have got to say until my trial.
The accused, John Beard and Grace Beard, were then both committed for
trial at the next Cornwall Assizes. We are informed that the contents
of the stomach of the child are still undergoing analysis by Mr.
Herapath, who will no doubt be called as a witness on the trial of the
prisoners at the assizes.
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