West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. Friday 15th January, 1858. NOTICE. The "Charles Challoner," of 1000 Tons, Will take Passengers to Quebec, leaving the Truro River in the early part of April. For Freight and Passage, apply to Capt. A. FOX, on board; WILLIAM HITCHENS, Malpas Road, Truro; or to JOHN GATLEY, Bones Cellars, Truro, 12th January, 1858. CORNWALL EPIPHANY SESSIONS (Before J. KING LETHBRIDGE, Esq.) JOSIAH HOCKING was charged with stealing, on the 8th of December, a quantity of brass, the property of Messrs. MICHAEL WILLIAMS and OTHERS, from their manganese works at Slimesford, in the parish of Calstock. There was a second count charging felonious reception of the stolen property; but this count was abandoned. Mr. STOKES conducted the prosecution; Mr. SHILSON the defence. THOMAS GRENFELL, agent for the Messrs. WILLIAMS and CO., at the manganese works, deposed that in connection with machinery for stamping and breaking manganese, there was a water-wheel, attached to which there had been certain brasses. On the 9th of December he received information of the loss of some pieces of brass from the wheel; within two or three days afterwards he went to the spot and found that all the brasses three in number, connecting the flat-rods with the crank had been removed. ISAAC ROSKILLY, manager of Mr. Bowhay's foundry, at Drakewalls, stated that he had occasionally been employed at the Slimesford manganese works, and had several times repaired the water-wheel; about four months since he put a new nipple to the crank, and at that time all the brasses were in place. RICHARD VOSPER had been employed at the Slimesford works, but they stopped on the 4th of December. He was there on the 7th of December, looked at the water-wheel, and saw the brasses all in place; on the 9th he was there again, and found that the rod was out of its place in the nipple, and that all the three brasses were gone. Cross-Examined. There were only four or five men employed at the works. The machinery was in an open field adjoining a public road. The prisoner was a bargeman. Re-Examined - The place is about eight or nine hundred yards from the river Tamar. The works were idle after the 4th of December, and no men were in employ there. Witness was left in charge of the machinery. JANE FERGUSON, a marine store dealer at Plymouth, stated that on the 11th of December, prisoner came to her shop; he said he had some brass for sale, and showed it to her; it was in numerous pieces; some so small that they looked like cinders or ashes. She asked him where it came from; he said it came out of some old iron which he had sold. He then weighed it; it was 1 quarter and 24 lbs., and she gave him nineteen shillings and six-pence for it. He gave his name as JAMES SYMONS of St. Germans. About the 17th of December, she saw Police Serjeant PAPPIN, and delivered to him the brass she had bought of prisoner, and in precisely the same state; she had kept it in a bag by itself. GEORGINA FERGUSON, daughter of the last witness, and living with her, corroborated her evidence; the prisoner having in the first place, spoken to her (the daughter) about selling the brass. GEORGE PAPPIN, Sergeant of the County Constabulary, stated that on the 17th of December, he received from Mrs. Ferguson, at Plymouth, the brass and bag which were not produced in court. On the 26th of December, he apprehended the prisoner at Calstock. On the 29th, witness, in company with the witnesses, Grenfell and Roskilly, went to the Slimesford works, and saw Grenfell and Roskilly fit some of the pieces of brass, which he had received from Mrs. Ferguson, into part of the waterwheel, and they corresponded exactly. The prisoner lived at Calstock, was called JOSIAH HOCKING, and never went by the name of James Symons. Cross-Examined. Had other brasses here, which were not charged to have been stolen by the prisoner; received 12 lbs from Mr. Roskilly at the foundry, but did not compare any of that with the engine. There were charges against other parties for stealing the brasses not included in the present case. Isaac Roskilly re-called, stated that on the 29th of December he fitted some of the pieces of brass produced by Pappin to the water-wheel, and found them to match exactly; the pieces of brass now produced had formed a brass bearing of the nipple of the water-wheel belonging to the crank. Could not get all the pieces in place, because some of the small pieces had been burnt. Was positive that the brass produced must have belonged to the wheel. Had frequently had the handling of the brass, and could identify some of the pieces by marks of a cutter which had been connected with them. Cross-Examined. Had know the prisoner several years, and lived in the same parish with him; but never before heard of anything against him. Mr. Shilson addressed the jury, in defence. The count for felonious receiving having been abandoned, the indictment in that respect being bad, the jury were bound to have positive proof that the prisoner himself stole the brasses from the wheel, before they could be justified in finding him guilty; and, in the prisoner's favour, they might fairly infer that the brasses in the present case, had been stolen by the party or parties against whom charges were to be made for stealing other brasses from the same wheel. Mr. EDWARD BOWHAY, farmer, of Calstock, gave the prisoner a good character. In summing up, the Chairman directed the jury that the prisoner was held by ordinary rule of law, to be accountable for his possession of property which had been recently stolen. Verdict, Guilty. JAMES HARLING, alias LANKEY, was then indicted for stealing brass also the property to Messrs. MICHAEL WILLIAMS and others, from their manganese works at Slimesford. In this case also, there was a second count for felonious receiving. Mr. STOKES conducted the prosecution. Mr. SHILSON (for Mr. CHILDS) conducted the defence. The brass stolen was missed for the water-wheel at Slimesford at the same time as the brass referred to in the previous case, and consequently much of the evide3nce was similar to that already given. THOMAS GRENFELL state that having, on the 11th of December, missed brasses from the water-wheel, he afterwards saw some at Mr. BOWHAY's foundry; and also some at Callington and Launceston; it was broken up and burnt, like that now produced. ISAAC ROSKELLY stated that there had been two bearing brasses, and another brass used as a fitter, to the water-wheel in question; two of these brasses he had himself cast, and was enabled to identify a piece produced, in consequence of there having been a strain in casting, which strain he had chipped off. The prisoner came to Mr. Bowhay's foundry, on the 18th of December, and offered some brass for sale. I put it in the scales and found that it weighted 12 lbs. It appeared to have been brass bearing that had been put into a fire and nearly melted, until it fell to pieces. I paid the prisoner 6s. 6d. for it; but told him that it appeared to be something like some brass bearings that had been lost in the neighbourhood. He said he came by it honestly, and that he bought it of a man, whose name he did not know, at Metherall, which was about three miles from Callington and two miles from the manganese works. I put this brass in the foundry and kept it there about a week, when I gave information to the police officer PAPPIN, and delivered the brass to him. In this brass which I bought of prisoner there was no mark by which I could identify it. Cross-Examined. - The prisoner is a dealer in marine stores, and it is his business to buy and sell old metal. JOHN WALKEY: I work at Mr. BRENDON's ironmonger, at Callington. On the 24th of December the prisoner brought there some brass for sale. I put it in the scales; it weight 5 1/2 lbs.; our price was sixpence per pound, and I paid him 2s 6d. for it. I had never before bought brass of that description, but I thought it was old castings. This witness identified one piece, among the pieces produced, as having been noticed by him when he bought the lot; he was enabled to identify it by some file marks. DANIEL HUGGINS: I live at Mr. Hayman's, a marine store dealer at Launceston. In the morning of the 19th December the prisoner came there with another man, and asked me what my master was giving for brass. I told him 6d. a lb. The prisoner produced a quantity of brass, and the man with him assisted to bring it in. I weighed it; it was 27 3/4 lbs.; I put the brass into a room, and gave them a ticket to take to my master for payment. The brass was not touched until Thursday night the 31st December, when it was delivered to the policeman WARD. Some of the brass on the table is like that which I bought of prisoner on the 19th. MARY ANN HUGGINS, sister of last witness;- I and my brother attend at the stores belonging to Mr. Hayman. On the 23rd ~December the prisoner came there with his wife in a cart, with brass, iron, bones, and other things. He brought 1/4 cwt. of brass, which I bought, and gave him a ticket to take to my master for payment. We put that brass in a hole, with other brass. I had never before bought any of that burnt brass. When Ward the policeman came a few days afterwards, I saw among the pieces of brass weighted one particular piece that I had noticed when I was buying of the prisoner on the 23rd. Police Serjeant Pappin stated that on the 28th December, at Mr. Bowhay's foundry, Isaac Roskilly delivered to him 12 lbs. of brass, which he had had in his possession, and now produced; amongst it was one particular piece that Roskilly pointed out as being able to identify. WILLIAM WARD, inspector of police at Callington:- I apprehended the prisoner on the 29th December, and charged him with stealing brass from Messrs. Williams. He said he had not stolen any brass. I said if he had not stolen any, he had sold some to Mr. Roskilly at the foundry. He said yes, I did sell 12lbs., but I bought it of a young man at Metherall. I asked him if that was all he had bought; he said yes, he had not bought or sold any more. I asked him if he knew the young man he bought it of; he said he did not, but that he bought it at Mrs. PETER's public house. I then took him into custody. Afterwards, the same morning, I went to Mr. Brendon's at Callington, and there received from JOHN WALKEY 4lbs. 1oz. of brass; I was told that the prisoner had sold there 5 1/4 lbs., but some of it was so small that it could not be picked up. I informed the prisoner that I had received some brass at Mr. BRENDON's; he said, "you will not find any more, for I have not sold any at any other place." On the 31st of December I went to Launceston, and at Mr. HAYMAN's. a marine store dealer, I ascertained that the prisoner had sold brass there; I went into the store, and Mr. Hayman, DANIEL HUGGINS and myself picked out some cast brass that I now produce. I took it the next day to the Slimesford works; Grenfell, Roskilly, and Serjeant Pappin were there. Immediately that I showed the brass to Roskilly, he took out two pieces which he said he would swear to; I saw him fix one piece into an indentation, and where it was rubbed it exactly corresponded with the ironwork of the wheel; I can swear positively that it came from that place. When I took the prisoner his breakfast on the 1st of January I said, I shall have to get you remanded till to-morrow because you have told me so many falsehoods; you told me you had not sold any brass whatever except to Roskilly and Brendon, and now I find you have been to Launceston; he said, "well if you've got the brass, that's all right." On the following day he was taken before the magistrates, and was committed; and after that he said he had bought 34lbs. of brass (including what is now produced, from SIMON PARRISH, a blacksmith at Albaston, in the parish of Calstock. Cross-Examined - Parrish had told me that he did sell the brass to prisoner. Thomas Grenfell and Isaac Roskilly separately re-called, identified certain pieces of the brass produced, and gave corroborative evidence as to the exact fitting of some pieces to the wheel, on the 1st of January; but Roskilly on cross-examination, said he could not identify any of the brass that had been sold to him. Mr. Shilson, for the prisoner, in the first place, objected that the wording of the indictment would not support the count for felonious receiving; and the court after hearing arguments on both sides, decided in favour of the objection. Mr. Shilson then addressed the jury, as to the charge of stealing. He urged that the prisoner was a marine store dealer, and consequently it was his business to buy and sell old metal. There was no identification of the pieces sold to Roskilly; and as to the remainder, the prisoner's statement was that he had bought it of the blacksmith Parrish, and Parrish stated that he had sold it to the prisoner. At the time he made the statement, Parrish was not in custody. If these statements of the prisoner and Parrish could have been contradicted, it was the duty of the prosecution to have done so. In the absence of such contradiction, the jury were bound to receive the statement as true; and then the prisoner must be acquitted, inasmuch as he had properly accounted for his possession of the only portion of the stolen brass which had been identified. The Chairman summed up for an acquittal on the line of defence taken by Mr. Shilson, and observed that the prisoner could not be expected to produce Parrish in corroboration of his statement, inasmuch as Parrish was himself in custody on a similar charge, and if he were produced in court, might reasonably refuse to give an answer that might criminate himself. The jury, in compliance with the directions of the court, returned a verdict of Not Guilty. SIMON PARRISH was then charged as the previous prisoner had been, with stealing 40 lbs. of brass, the property of Messrs. MICHAEL WILLIAMS and others. A second count for receiving was abandoned, after the ruling of the court in the previous case. WILLIAM WARD, inspector of police deposed: I apprehended the prisoner at Calstock town on Saturday night last; he is a blacksmith, residing at Albaston, in the parish of Calstock. I charged him with stealing brass from Messrs. Williams' manganese works. He said, "Oh, I expected you before; who told you I took it?" I said " LANKEY," (meaning HARLING, the man just tried and acquitted). The prisoner said "what did he tell you?" I said "he told me you had sold him 34 lbs. of brass." After a little hesitation, he said, "well, I did sell it to him: did he say how much he gave for it?" I said "yes, he stated that he gave you 11s. for it then, and was to give you a trifle more." As I was afterwards conveying him to Callington, he said we should not find any more, and that there was no one else concerned in it. He had before that, stated to me that he had found this brass in his garden. After he had been before the magistrates he said he did not sell Harling the flanges, but admitted that he sold him the rest. All the brass, except the flanges, had been in the fire, and from the shape of one of the pieces it was clear that it had been melted at a smith's forge; there was the mark of the blast from the nozzle of the bellows. Sargeant PAPPIN, who accompanied the last witness, on his apprehension of prisoner, corroborated his evidence. JAMES ROSKILLY, looking at the brass produced in this case, said the only pieces he could identify were two flanges, and the parts of another flange. JAMES HARLING, who had just been tried and acquitted, was now sworn as a witness: He said, on the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas day, I bought of the prisoner 34 lbs. of brass; I sold 29 lbs. of it to Mr. HAYMAN, of Launceston, and 5 lbs. to Mr. BRENDON, of Callington. I cannot recognize any of the brass produced, except the large burnt piece. (This was the piece to which a former witness had referred as having apparently been melted at a smith's forge). I know nothing about the flanges. The brass which I bought of the prisoner was in the same state as that now produced. All that I bought of the prisoner was the 34 lbs.; but the week before, I sold 12 lbs. to Roskilly. The first time he spoke to me about some brass was about two months ago, when he said he had some brass for sale, and he would let me know when I should fetch it, but it was no use for me to call at his house except in the evening when he had left work. On a Sunday, either three weeks or a fortnight before last Sunday, he told me to come for the brass; and I fetched it on the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas day; I paid him 11s. 8d., and was to pay him 2s. 4d. more last Saturday night. Cross Examined: I have heard that he denies having some small flanges; I don't recollect having seen such things among what I bought of him; what I bought of him was one of the large burnt pieces. That which I sold to Roskilly I had bought on that same day. As to the first lot of brass sold to Mr. Hayman, of Launceston, I had nothing at all to do with it; it was sold by another man, a dealer in stores, and I only went with him to know the price of brass. When I went to Hayman's the second time, my wife was with me, and I sold the 29 lbs.; among that lot I did not see those small flanges, but I saw them when before the magistrates. Re-Examined. It was on the Wednesday before Christmas day that I sold the 29 lbs. at Hayman's; I will not swear whether the flanges were, or were not, among the lot. When I bought the brass of the prisoner, he said he had had it a long time, and that some of it had belonged to his old father-in-law, who was a blacksmith, and died about twelve months ago. MARY ANN HUGGINGS. - On the Saturday before Christmas the last witness, Harling, came to Mr. Hayman's stores in Launceston. There was a man with him, and one of them asked my brother the price of brass. They had brass with them; my brother weighed it, and it was left at the stores. I saw Harling again at the stores on the 23rd of December; he brought with other things 1/4 cwt. of brass, in black pieces like those now on the table; the large piece I particularly noticed, because I was obliged to look into it clearly to see that it was brass. The little pieces (the flanges), were not in that lot which I bought; I am quite clear of that; but I saw pieces like those flanges in what my brother took in the Saturday before. What I bought on the 23rd was put into the sale hole with that which my brother had bought; and I afterwards saw the constable, Ward, take possession of the whole; we had no other brass of that descriptions. DANIEL HUGGINS. - On Saturday, the 19th of Dece3mber, Harding came to Mr. Hayman's store, with another man. Both men together asked me what Mr. Hayman was giving for old brass. I said sixpence. They said they had a quantity to sell, and they took it out; one assisting the other; they put it into the scales; I weight it, 27 1/4 lbs., and gave the other man (not Harling), the ticket for payment; they went away together, and I never saw them afterwards. I am sure that square pieces like these flanges were among the brass I thus bought. We had no other brass of that sort in our stores. On the Thursday following, the policeman came and took possession of all the brass we had. On this evidence, the Chairman, addressing the jury, said it appeared that some other man, not Harling, was the person to whom the brass belonged, which included the flanges - the only pieces which had been identified in the present case. It seemed very much to be lamented, but he could hardly call on the jury, whatever their feelings might be to give a verdict of guilty against the prisoners, under the circumstances proved. If the jury wished him to read over the whole evidence in the case, he was ready to do so; he felt the immense responsibility of the case; but at the same time, if they were to find a verdict of guilty on grounds which were insufficient, there would be other proceedings; and he felt that he should not be justified in allowing a verdict that was not legally right. The jury, with obvious reluctance returned a verdict of Not Guilty; and the Chairman, addressing the prisoner, said:- "You have had a narrow escape." [both spellings of Huggins and Huggings]. SECOND COURT. Thursday, January 7. GREGORY PHILLIPS was charged with stealing an ox hide, the property of EDWARD BOWHAY, of Calstock, on the 10th of November last. Mr CORNISH for the prosecution; Mr. CHILDS for the defence. Edward Bowhay, the prosecutor said, I am a tanner, and live at Albaston, in the parish of Calstock; am in the habit of buying hides of Mr. RICKARD, a butcher. When Mr. Rickard has hides for me, he leaves them at Mr. MOOR's, on the turnpike-road leading down to Gunnislake. On Thursday the 12th of November, in consequence of information I received, I went to a person called MICHAEL RUSE, at Sidwell, to see a hide which I had been informed belonged to me. Mr. Rickard, the butcher, accompanied me; we were shown a hide which Mr. Rickard identified as being the hide of the bullock that he had killed. A man named PETER WILLIAMS, also informed us that the prisoner had brought it there; I paid Mr. Rickard GBP1. 10s. 5d. for the hide, and the one produced is my property. WILLIAM RICKARD said, I am a butcher, and live with my father at Crockadon, in St. Mellion; on the 5th of November I assisted my father in killing a fat ox; I and my brother took the hide on as far as Mr. Moor's at St. Ann's Chapel; a place where we had been accustomed to leave hides for Mr. Bowhay. I took the hide out of the cart and left it at Moor's, and requested some parties standing by to inform Mr. Bowhay that I had left a hide there for him. I know the hide by my father's initials being burnt in both horns, and also a mark in the near ear, and it is the same I left at Moor's on Friday the 6th of November, for Mr. Bowhay. MICHAEL RUSE. I am a tanner and live at Sidwell in Stokeclimsland. Prisoner came to me on the 11th of November and asked me to buy a hide. I put the hide into the scales, and found it weighed 74 lbs., and paid for 73 lbs., at 4 1/2 d. per lb. We then went up to my house, when I said I don't think it is a real fat bullock. The prisoner said it was a cow that had been bad, and it was killed and the beef carried to Devonport Market. I paid prisoner's brother, JAMES, GBP1. 7s. 6d. for the hide, and the prisoner gave me three half pence change. The hide produced is the same I bought. GEORGE PAPPIN, of the Cornwall Constabulary, proved apprehending the prisoner at his house when he told witness he took the hide by the side of his house and then took it upon the downs. The prisoner's house is about sixty feet from prosecutor's house. Mr. Childs made an able appeal to the jury, and called a witness as to character. The Chairman summed up, directing the jury first, to consider whether or not the property was laid in the prosecutor; if they thought not, then they would acquit the prisoner. The jury after a few minutes' deliberation found the prisoner Guilty. Two Months' Hard Labour. CHARLES LYMPANY, alias CURREY, 19, seaman, was charged with stealing a silver watch and guard, on the 10th of December last, at Torpoint, the property of WILLIAM LEWIS. Mr. HAMLEY prosecuted; the prisoner was undefended, but applied to the court to have all the witnesses out. It appeared from the evidence of the prosecutor and GRACE his wife, that on the night of the 9th of December the prisoner came to the prosecutor's house and asked for lodgings, stating that he was called MOLES, and had an uncle and cousin working in the dockyard. Prosecutor's wife knowing such parties were there, took the prisoner to lodge. On the following morning prosecutor went to the dockyard to work as usual, and left his watch under the pillow in the bed; he left his wife in the bedroom dressing. Who also saw the watch there just before leaving. About ten o'clock she went out of the house and left prisoner in. On her return she discovered that the watch was gone. Prisoner also left the place shortly afterwards. Sergeant BOND, of the county constabulary, apprehended him at East Looe, with the watch bearing the prosecutor's name on his person. Verdict Guilty. A former conviction was proved against the prisoner for assaulting a constable. Six Months' Hard Labour. STEPHEN SQUIRE, 25, miner, surrendered to take his trial on a charge of assaulting THOMAS DADDOW, a constable of the parish of Tywardreath, whilst in the execution of his duty, on the 24th of August. A second count charged the prisoner with a common assault. Mr. CHILDS prosecuted, and stated the case to the jury. It appeared that Thomas Daddow, the prosecutor, who was a constable of the parish of Tywardreath, hand the prisoner committed to his custody at the Porcupine Inn, on Monday the 24th of August, prisoner having just before been committed and sentenced to two months' imprisonment for an assault on the same person. Prisoner on being removed from the magistrates' room, became troublesome, and would not walk; he was ultimately got out of the room, and taken to an inn adjoining, when prosecutor, with the assistance of Rundle, another constable, attempted to put on him a pair of handcuffs. Prisoner submitted to have one put on quietly, but as Daddow was putting on the other on the left hand, prisoner struck him over the cheek-bone with the handcuff which was on the right hand. He repeated the blow twice, but was afterwards secured by Rundle and Daddow, and conveyed to a cart outside to be taken to prison. A mob of miners congregated around, some of whom advised the prisoner not to go along quietly, and followed him half a mile towards Bodmin, when they returned back. Prisoner, after they left, rode on perfectly quiet with his head under the seat in the cart, but whilst there he was playing a game with Daddow's coat, and so artful and mischievous was he, that he tore the skirts of the coat in ribbons. Prosecutor was astonished when he came to the gaol, to be told of his fashionable coat. Thomas Daddow and William Rundle gave corroborative evidence of the above facts. The Chairman, Mr. J. J. ROGERS, (Mr. SAWLE having left the chair during the trial of this case) remarked that the assault had been clearly made out against the prisoner, the coat being torn in such a manner no doubt aggravated the prosecutor, yet, that was apart from the charge the jury had to consider. The charge was of great magnitude as it was committed almost under the noses of the magistrates assembled on the day in question, at the Petty Sessions, at the Porcupine Inn. The jury almost immediately returned a verdict of Guilty on the first count. Six Months' Hard Labour. RICHARD LANE, 32, miner, was indicted for unlawfully obtaining, by false pretences, the sum of 3s. 11d. on the 1st of September, 1857, and the sum of 2s. 8d. on the 2nd of September last, from JOHN HUGGINS, at St. Mary Magdalene, with intent to defraud the said John Huggins. The evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution was conclusive, and the jury found the prisoner Guilty. Mr. CHILDS conducted the prosecution. Six Months' Hard Labour. After an adjournment of the first court for two hours, the court re-assembled at four o'clock, when the Chairman passed the following sentences. The trials of these prisoners were reported last week:- WILLIAM DAVEY, Three Months' Hard Labour. HENRY DAY, Three Months' Hard Labour. ELIZA CHEEVE, Three Months' Hard Labour. JOSIAH HOCKING, Four Months' Hard Labour. THOMAS SMITH, Five Months' Hard Labour. SOLOMON MARTIN, Six Months' Hard Labour SAMUEL MITCHELL, Six Months' Hard Labour JAMES DAVEY, Six Months' Hard Labour. THOMAS COCK, Four Months' Hard Labour. FRANCIS TEAGUE, Two Months' Hard Labour. MATHIAS JOB, Six Months' Hard Labour. SARAH MOYLE, Eight Months' Hard Labour. HARRIET MOYLE, Eight Months' Hard Labour. FRANCIS GLANVELL, Twelve Months' Hard Labour. JOHN CLARKE, Twelve Months' Hard Labour. WILLIAM BARRETT, (a ticket-of-leave man) SEVEN YEARS' PENAL SERVITUDE. PAUL GLAZER, Six Months' Hard Labour. The name inadvertently printed in last week's sessions' report, WILLIAM HENRY PARNELL, of Wadebridge, should have been, WILLIAM WERRY PARNALL, of Pengelly, in St. Breock. A CASE UNDER THE NEW DIVORCE BILL - At the Marlborough-street office, on Saturday, a fashionably attired young woman solicited the advice of Mr. BINGHAM under the following circumstances:- She said she was residing in Park-street, Grosvenor-square. She had been married about two years. Soon after her marriage her husband deserted her, taking with him all the property he could get hold of. Considering that such a husband was better away from her than with her, all she was anxious to know was, what means the New Divorce Act gave for the protection of any property she might be possessed of, from the hands of a husband who had, without cause, deserted her. Mr. Bingham having referred to the act under which application was made, found that the 21st clause had reference to her case, which enacts that application may be made to a metropolitan police magistrates who, after desertion without sufficient cause, may order that all property be given over to the wife, and property belonging to her, and the produce of her industry, be her own, independent of her husband. The act would come into operation on the 11th of this month, when applicant had better renew her application. MEDICAL APPOINTMENT - Mr. WILLIAM MICHELL CLARKE, son of Mr. , son of Mr. C, Bodmin, and nephew of Dr. MICHELL, late M.P. for that borough, has just received the appointment of Honorary Surgeon to the Bristol General Hospital, vacant by the resignation of Mr. W. LAND of that city. Mr. W. M. Clarke, formerly a pupil of Mr. HENRY MUDGE of Bodmin, was a student at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, where he obtained several honorary certificates for anatomy, &c., and the president's prize of his last year (1850). He then obtained the appointment of house surgeon to the Bristol General Hospital, where he remained for five years during which time he was one of the candidates for the surgeonry of the Lunatic Asylum of this county, but rejected on the appointment of Dr. BOISRAGON. Mr. W. M. Clarke has been a frequent contributor to the Medical Times, and since resigning the office he so long held, has been successfully practising in Bristol and Clifton, at which latter place he now resides. During the past two years he has also received the appointments of Lecturer of Forensic Medicine and Demonstrator of Anatomy to the Bristol Medical School. PROMOTION - We see by the London Gazette of January 12th, that Major and Brevet Lieut. Colonel WM. FENWICK, of the 10th Foot, has been promoted to the rank of Lieut. Colonel, without purchase. SHIP LAUNCH - There was launched at Newquay on Saturday last, from the yard of Mr. R. TREDWEN, a handsomely modelled schooner of 100 tons measurement. From the great length of the ways down which she glided most gracefully, the launch produced a very pleasing effect, and won the applause of the large assemblage present. She has been built for Mr. M. T. HITCHINS of St. Agnes, and was named by his fourth daughter, Miss JEMIMA HITCHINS; she will be commanded by Captain JAMES HENWOOD. TRURO COUNTY COURT - In the case of the Mayor, Alderman and Burgesses of Truro v. ROBERT LENDERYOU and RICHARD SANDOE, Mr. COCK appeared for the plaintiffs, and called the Town Clerk, Mr. G. N. SIMMONS, to prove their claim to GBP9. 10s. balance of three years' rent of a sawpit used by defendants at the town quay. (The plaint against Lenderyou was withdrawn, he being deceased.) The defence was that a promise had been given, on the part of the town council, to put the pit in repair; which statement was denied by the Town Clerk. A verdict was given for plaintiffs for the full amount. In the cases of JAMES TANNAHILL v. EMILY WILLIAMS, NANCY WASLEY, JAMES BALKWILL, and JAMES PHILLIPS, defendants were each committed for fourteen days for not appearing to summons, or for non-payment of debt. Same plaintiff v. MARIA JAMES, defendant was committed for thirty days for not appearing to summons; debt. GBP3. 1s. 9d. WILLIAMS SIMS v. MARY PEARCE and JANE PEARCE; defendants were each committed for fourteen days for not appearing to summons, and non-payment of debt. INSOLVENTS - AMOS WEEKES, jun. of Probus, came up on an adjourned examination. Mr. EWDWARDS appeared for insolvent, and Mr. STOKES opposed on behalf of several creditors. The examination was again adjourned till next court. RICHARD HAZELWOOD, late of Ladock, carpenter and grocer, filed his petition and obtained an interim order for protection; the first examination to take place in February. ST. AUSTELL PETTY SESSIONS - These sessions were held on Tuesday last, before Mr. E. COODE, jun., and Mr. LAKES, county magistrates. The following cases were disposed of: Mr. JAMES, mine agent, was fined 40s. and costs for assaulting a person called SNELL TENUGE, a small farmer, of St. Ewe, was fined 5s. and costs for being drunk and disorderly. BARRATT was fined 6d. and costs for assaulting CHARLES RETALLICK. Two miners were fined 40s. and costs for breaking down some wood railings belonging to Captain HODGE, of Mount Charles. A shoemaker called RUNDLE, of Polgooth, was charged by the gamekeeper of Mr. TREMAYNE, for trespassing on his grounds in pursuit of game, he was fined 20s. and costs. THOMAS HOOPER, landlord of the St. Mewan Inn, was fined 40s. and costs for keeping his house open on Sunday, and allowing persons to drink beer during the hours of divine service. A labourer called HAM, in the employ of Mr. Treleaven, was charged, by JAMES STRIKLAND, the gamekeeper of Sir JOSEPH SAWLE, with setting a certain quantity of fishhooks baited with worms in order to catch pheasants. The bench had some doubt on the case, and dismissed it. GEORGE INCH, was charged by Inspector BARNES with selling beer on Christmas-day during divine service; fined 40s. and costs. DINAH BRAY, a married woman, charged a man called LLEN with assaulting her in Tredinnick's tap room, at eleven o'clock at night. Allen called ELIZA MICHELL, a servant girl at the Stag Inn, who swore that he (Allen) came to the Stag Inn early in the evening of the day in question, and that he did not leave until twelve the same night; the case was dismissed. FALMOUTH PETTY SESSIONS - At Falmouth, on the 9th instant, before Mr. JOHN BORLASE, county magistrate, JOHN WALSH, PHILIP MITCHELL, and WILLIAM HOGAN, gunners and drivers in the militia artillery stationed at Falmouth, were charged with being drunk and disorderly in the streets at Falmouth, at half-pas eight, p.m., on the 8th instant, for which they were fined 5s. each, and 4s. 6d. costs. HELSTON PETTY SESSIONS - At Helston, on the 9th instant, before Mr. POPHAM, county magistrate, and bench, JAMES NAIL was charged by P.C. MARTIN with riding without reins, for which he was fined 5s. and 6s. 6d. costs. WILLIAM WHEAR, of the Crown Inn, Sithney, was charged with leaving his wagon on the highway, causing an obstruction; fined 5s. and 6s. 6d. costs. MARY PENTECOST, of the While Hart Inn, St. Keverne, was charged by police constable STEVENS, with keeping a disorderly house. She was defended by Mr. HILL. Solicitor. Superintendent BRICE informed the magistrates that the house had been generally badly conducted; defendant was fined GBP1 and 17s. 6d. costs. RICHARD WHEAR, of the Britannia Inn, Breage, was charged by police constable MARTIN, with allowing his house to be open for the sale of liquor on Sunday the 13th December, at 11 1/2 a.m.; fined 2s. 6d. and 6s. 6d. costs. CHARLES OPPY, of the Old Inn, Wendron, was charged by police constable HITCHES with a similar offence on the same day. Superintendent BRICE informed the bench that defendant had previously been summoned for allowing his house to be open for the sale of beer on the 21st of June, when the case was dismissed on his paying 5s. 6d. costs, and that again on the 13th September for a similar offence he was fined 2s. and 8s. 3d. costs, and that the house was generally badly conducted. Defendant was now fined 10s. and 6s. 6d. costs. WILLIAM SYMONS was charged with riding without reins on the highway at Wendron, and fined 2s. 6d. and 6s. 6d. costs. HENRY RALPH was charged by P.C. MARTIN with leaving his cart on the highway at Porthleven (he had been previously cautioned for a similar offence); fined [?]s. and 6s. 6d. costs. JOHN ROWE was charged by P.C. MARTIN with leaving his horse and cart on the highway at Wendron, without having any one to take charge of the same; fined 5s. and 6s. 6d. costs. JOHN THOMAS TRENGROUSE, for riding without reins on the turnpike road at Breage, was fined 5s. and 7s. 6d. costs. JOHN PASCOE GRIGG, charged by Supt. BRICE for riding without reins on the turnpike road at Wendron, was cautioned (it being his first offence) and dismissed on paying 7s. 6d. costs. WILLIAM WHEAR, of the Crown Inn, Sithney, was charged by P. C. MARTIN with allowing his house to be open on Christmas-day at, 8 1/2 a.m. for the sale of liquor; fined 6d. and 6s. 6d. costs. JOHN SAUNDERS was summoned by the Overseers of St. Keverne, for deserting his wife and family; but the case was dismissed. TRURO POLICE - On Wednesday last, before Mr. CHAPPEL and Mr. NANKIVELL, magistrates, EDWARD DENNIS, a sailor, was charged with assaulting THOMAS BROKENSHA COCK, compositor. On the evening of the 9th instant, complainant was pushed off the pavement in Boscawen-street by the sailor; and when asked what he did it for, Dennis struck complainant. The case was adjourned to give defendant time to settle it with complainant. JOHN STRONGMAN, dairyman, Frances-street, was charged with wilfully damaging a shawl belonging to PRISCILLA WHITBURN, for which he was ordered to pay 15s. and costs. There was also a charge of assault against him by complainant, but this was withdrawn. PENRYN POLICE - WILLIAM TIMMINS, innkeeper, St. Gluvias-street, was summoned by police-officer MERRIFIELD, to answer a charge of keeping his house open on Sunday the 3rd instant, between the hours of three and five in the afternoon. The magistrates on the bench were Mr. READ, mayor, and Mr. TEAGUE. Timmins pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined fifty shillings and costs. WILLIAM OPIE, stone-mason, of the parish of Mabe, was fined five shillings and costs for being drunk on Sunday the 3rd instant. SHIPPING CASUALTIES - We are sorry to have to record the loss of the brigantine "Albert," belonging to Mr. R. H. BAMFIELD of St. Ives. She was from Liverpool, bound to Monte Video, with a general cargo, and was wrecked on the morning of the 7th instant, in Cardigan bay. Captain RICHARDS and the crew were saved in the long0boat, being picked up by the French sloop "Progress," and landed at Portmadoc, with the loss of everything they had on board. The "Albert" was a fine vessel, about 200 tons burden. The Barque "Frances Yeats," belonging to YOUNG and BROTHERS, of St. Ives, from Newport for Santander with railway iron, bore up for St. Ives leaky. She had been surveyed and must discharged her cargo to repair the damage. MACHINE ACCIDENT - On Thursday the 7th instant, a serious accident occurred at Lower Nansloe farm, near Helston. Mr. W. HARRY had been employed during the morning threshing, and was just completing the work by feeding the machine with a few short heads of corn, but his attention having been diverted for an instant, his left wrist was caught by one of the beaters of the machine; instantly a second blow followed, and crushed the arm so fearfully that amputation was found to be necessary. The limb was accordingly taken off by Messrs ROSKRUGE and BORLASE, and we are glad to hear the Mr. Harry is proceeding favourably. ACCIDENT - On Wednesday, the 6th instant, as Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY and his youngest daughter were driving in a carriage between Lostwithiel and St. Austell, on the old road, whilst going over Trethingie Downs, one of the ponies, a very spirited animal, took fright at a donkey by the side of the road, and suddenly turned round, when both ponies bolted and jumped down a bank, upsetting the carriage, and throwing both Mr. Hamley and his little girl out on the downs. The carriage turned completely over and rested on the dash iron and the rails. The ponies took off again, and after running a short distance, ran into a pool, when some men came to their assistance, and, after considerable trouble, extricated them. The carriage almost a new one, was much damaged; and one of the ponies severely cut. Neither Mr. Hamley, nor his little girl were at all injured; the latter was, of course, much frightened, but, through the kindness of a woman who lived near, she soon recovered. CORONER'S INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner;- On Wednesday the 13th instant, at St. Stephens in Branwell, on the body of JOSEPH BULLEN, miner, aged 37 years, who was killed on Tuesday in St. Austell Console Mine, by falling down a winze. It appeared that he and his son, aged 11 years, were employed on that day in sinking a winze from the 15 fathoms level to communicate with the level below. They had shot a large hole into which they had tamped nearly five pounds of powder, and had retired into the level to be out of danger, when it went off but before there was time for the smoke to disperse, the deceased went to see how much ground had been displaced by the discharge, and either from his being overpowered by the smoke, or from it preventing him seeing his way, he fell into the winze, and was found quite dead at the bottom of it. Verdict "accidental death." At WOOLCOCK's beershop in the parish of Kenwyn, on the body of JOHN SPRAGUE, miner, aged 65 years, who was killed on Tuesday in Wheal Busy Mine, under the following circumstances: RICHARD WILLIAMS, the lander at the shaft, deposed that he saw the deceased and his comrades before they went under ground. They told him they were going down to send up some attle and a ladder, but he did not know which he intended to send up first. About two hours afterwards he sent down the kibble to them, and after it had been down rather longer than the usual time, he was led to suppose from the shaking of the chain, and from the sound, that there was a token to wind up, and he gave notice to that effect to the engineman. He did not know whether they were sending up the kibble or the ladder until he looked down the shaft and saw the end of the ladder within a few feet of the surface. He then rung for the engine-man to stop the engine, which he did. By that time the end of the ladder was within four or five feet of the poppethead (not higher) and as soon as the engine stopped, the slackness of the chain between the pullies caused the kibble end of the chain to descend a little again and then stop with a sudden jerk, which caused the lashings by which the ladder was tied to the chain to break, and the ladder until he saw him above the surface. From the evidence of the deceased's two comrades, it appeared that the deceased, after lashing the centre part of the ladder to the chain, had got in the ladder to fasten the upper part of it in the same way; while he was in the act of doing so the chain was sent away; one of them immediately caught hold of the deceased's legs and told him to let go his hands, but he went up with the chain. Neither of them had rung to wind up, but in order to lash the end of the ladder to the whim chain the deceased was obliged to pull the chain towards him, and they both thought that the shaking of the chain in that way, and its sounding against the iron staves of the ladder, might very likely be mistaken by the lander for a token to wind up. The jury were of the same opinion, and returned a verdict of "accidental death." The following inquests have been held before Mr. HITCHENS, county coroner:- On the 7th instant in the parish of Breage, on the body of JAMES DAWE, aged fifteen years, whose death was occasioned by injuries received on the 5th at North Godolphin Mine, in the parish of Crowan, whilst assisting in putting in the sale of a water wheel, and of which he died on the following day. Verdict, "accidental death." On the 9th instant, in the parish of Uny Lelant, on the body of ROBERT WINNAN, aged thirty-four years. The deceased, who was a farm labourer, left the service of Mr. HUMPHREY TREMBATH, of Torrawidden, in Gulval, on Christmas eve last, from which he had been wandering about spending the little money he had, amounting to between thirty and forty shillings, till at length he was driven to resort to the Penzance union workhouse, where he was admitted on Wednesday the 6th instant, slept that night and had his breakfast and dinner on the following day, and was soon after, in the afternoon of the same day, at his own request allowed to leave for the purpose, as he said, of seeking employment. On the following morning he was found in a cart shed by the said of the high road on Lelant downs, a corpse, having hung himself to the woodwork of the roof with a silk neckerchief tied round his neck, to which he had attached a piece of cord. The jury, after some deliberation, found that the deceased had hung himself whilst labouring under temporary insanity, and a verdict was recorded accordingly. On the 11th inst., in St. Just, on the body of ELIZABETH ROW, aged six months, of Nogsby, who was found dead by her mother's side on Saturday morning last. The jury returned a verdict of "found dead." The following inquests have been held before Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY, county coroner:- On Thursday last, at Atwell, in the parish of Luxulian, on the body of THOMAS WOOLCOCK, an old man, who was found dead in the road leading from Luxulian to his own home. Deceased left home early in the morning quite well, and went to his work as usual, carrying his dinner with him. After he had left work he was seen by a neighbour returning, and walking very fast, about half an hour afterwards he was found dead by the side of the road. Verdict, "died of natural causes." On the 9th, in the parish of St. Austell, on a little girl called MARY ANN REED, who during her mother's absence, on the 7th instant, caught her clothes on fire. It appeared that the mother went to fetch a pail of water, and had not been gone more than two minutes before she heard her little girl screaming. She looked round and saw deceased running towards her in flames. She ran to her and extinguished the fire, but the poor little child was so dreadfully burnt she died on the following day. Verdict, "Accidental death."