WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER23 January 1857 - Local Intelligence, part 2 . BODMIN ANNUAL BALL - This ball took place at the Town Arms Hotel, on Thursday the 15th instant (the use of the Guildhall having been refused for this purpose). The ball-room was most tastefully decorated with evergreens, and brilliantly illuminated, and the refreshment rooms were also laid out in good style, and tended to the comfort of all parties present. The first quadrille was led off at nine-o'clock, and was followed in succession by waltzes, polkas, and other dances, which were spiritedly kept up and maintained until near five o'clock in the morning. Dr. MICHELL, M.P., was present, and appeared thoroughly to enjoy the amusement. There was a numerous attendance, the youth of Bodmin being joined on the occasion by friends from Truro, Wadebridge, St. Austell, and other parts, and all united in the merry dance with the greatest hilarity and enjoyment. Great praise and thanks are due to the quadrille band (Royal Cornwall Rangers) for their excellent music, which afforded entire satisfaction. The company were highly delighted with the ball, and the whole of the arrangements, and expressed their mutual wishes to meet again on a similar occasion. . CAMELFORD GLEE CLUB - An amateur concert was given last week by the Camelford Glee Club, in the Town Hall, which was fashionably and numerously attended. Mr. DEMMITT and the Messrs. HAWORTH, of Exeter, gave their services, and each sang a song which deservedly obtained an encore. Mr. Demmitt presided at the piano, and also played two flute solos admirably. Mr. T. S. JONES sang the "Storm Fiend," which brought an encore, and Messrs. HAWKEN and HAWKEY sustained their parts in the glees effectively. It is pleasing to state that this, the first effort of the club, went off remarkably well, and that the audience were unanimous in its praise. Under the auspices and instruction of the worthy rector of Lanteglos, (to whom many thanks are due for the origin of, and music to, this club) great advancement has been made by those who have joined in so pleasant and laudable a pastime.......... DR. SHAW'S ENTERTAINMENTS - Dr. SHAW has been giving his entertainments on three evenings of the present week at the Assembly Room, Truro. His first performance, on Monday night, was introduced by the ascent of a fire balloon, from the High Cross, which threw out brilliant lights, and was witnessed by hundreds of people. . Dr. Shaw's performances that night in the Assembly Room were attended by a large assemblage, and much mirth and applause followed his clever "magical delusions", his singing in character, ventriloquism, and other entertainments. Some of his curious "magic feats" were accompanied with explanations of the manner in which he is enabled to deceive the sight of the spectators. The monochromatic and polychromatic lights and their effects were exhibited; and the magnificent colouring of the "fire cloud" was greatly admired. The entertainments were of a very varied character, and afforded much amusement to the numerous company present. Since the Wednesday evening's performance, we have received from Dr. Shaw a statement that he had prepared that night a display of coloured fires on an extensive scale; but in this he says, not only himself but the public were disappointed, as the teetotalers, who had a meeting in the front Assembly Room, refused to allow any one to pass through to the window to fire the train, so that only the fires in the Cross could be ignited.......... MR. H.W. SCHNEIDER, CHAIRMAN OF THE GREAT WHEAL VOR COMPANY - We observe that Mr. Henry W. Schneider, the chairman of the Great Wheal Vor Company, who are working the most important tin mine in the world, employing 1400 men, has become a candidate for the representation of Kingston-upon-Hull. Mr. Schneider is of liberal opinions, and a free trader, and on that ground, as well as from his being so largely connected with mineral interests, we wish him success in the step he has taken with the view of entering Parliament. [The article also mentioned "Mr. Schneider has been among the first to turn his attention to the mineral capabilities of Exmoor; his operations in North Lancashire for the supply of hematite iron ore to South Wales, are on a very large scale, and employ several steamers." He is also "well known as president of the Anglo-Mexican Mint, and one of the directors of the St. John del Rey company, the largest and most successful gold company in the world." As a a large steam ship owner, a merchant, and director of steam companies, Mr. Schneider has "advanced views on currency".].......... THE TIDES - The highest tides of the present year will be those of the 26th of February, the 27th of March, and the 25th of April, the 5th of September, the 5th of October, and the 3rd of November, corresponding with a day and half after the full and new moon, at or near the equinoxes. The highest tide for the year will be that of the 27th of March. .......... SCHOONER LAUNCHED - On Saturday week, a clipper schooner, called the "Marianne," of 200 tons burthen, built for Messrs. MICHELL and SON, Truro, to be commanded by Captain DONALD, was launched from the yard of Messrs. NICHOLLS and SON, at Fowey. She was named by Mrs. S. NICHOLLS, and glided into her future element in good style, amidst the cheers of the spectators............. SALVAGE - An arbitration case under the Mercantile Marine Act came before Mr. S. BORLASE and Mr. D.P. LeGRICE, at Penzance, on Tuesday, referred to them by the consent of all parties interested. The "Frederick Wilhelm IV" was salved off Scilly on the 15th, by Henry STIDDEFORD and six others, of the pilot boat "Rapid", of Grimsby, Bryer, one of the Isles of Scilly. The pilots found the ship in distress, with a French barque alongside, and part of the latter's crew on board. The Frenchmen returned to their vessel and the Scilly men brought the "Frederick Wilhelm" into Penzance harbour safe. They claimed GBP 600, but the Bench awarded GBP 150, each party to pay their own costs............. MONEY SECRETED - A few days since, an elderly female widow of a warrant officer, called THOMSON, died at Saltash, after only a few days illness. She had no relative in the place but an aunt by marriage, who, in collecting her various articles of clothing, &c., together, observed her stays to be missing, but after a more diligent search found them under the bed-tie on which she had died; and in examining them thought, from their appearance, there was money deposited in them, and on ripping them open, found, to her great surprise, the sum of GBP 101 secreted under the lining, all of which was paid over to a brother of the deceased, who resides in Exeter............. CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT - William PERRY, four years in the service of Mr. E.S. POLKINGHORNE, of Penzance, brewer, as coachman and general servant, has been committed to the Quarter Sessions by Mr. T. COULSON, Mayor, and W. BORLASE, magistrate, for embezzlement. It appears that Mr. Polkinghorne dealt for butchers meat with Mrs. Catherine and Mr. Martin RODDA. The meat sent to his house one week was paid for the next through Perry. Mr. Polkinghorne had sent Mrs. Rodda a sovereign to liquidate a bill of 18s.4 ½ d., and Mr. Rodda a sovereign to pay 19s. 1d, both by Perry, but they were not paid............. HIGHWAY ROBBERY - On Wednesday night the 14th instant, about eight o'clock, Mr. HAMLIN, of Launceston, organist, on his return from Callington to Launceston, when about one mile and a half from Callington, on rather a lonely part of Hingston Common, was attacked by three men, who pulled him off his horse, and cut away one of his pockets containing between GBP 2 and GBP 3, which they made off with. A gold watch which Mr. Hamlin was carrying either escaped their notice or did not suit their purpose. Three suspicious characters were seen to pass Wooda Bridge Gate the same night............. PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE - The young vocalist the "Infant Florence" had a narrow escape from a fearful death on Monday last, at Truro. Mr. and Mrs. HAY, with the two children Alice and Florence, were proceeding to the train in one of the Red Lion flys, when owing to the culpable negligence of the driver, the opposite door to the one they entered by was left unfastened. They were proceeding rapidly down the street, when it suddenly flew open, and the little Florence was thrown out. Fortunately her father caught her by the foot as she was falling, and held her firmly by it for upwards of one hundred yards before the carriage could be stopped; but the fearful situation of the poor child may be imagined, her head within an inch of the ground, and in immediate contact with the hind wheel, which, had she not been so singularly and providentially caught, must have passed directly over her head. The neglect of the driver cannot be too highly censured, and we trust it will operate as a warning to him, and others. We are happy to say, although much bruised and frightened, the little creature escaped serious injury............... TRURO POLICE - On Wednesday last, JOHN GIDLEY, of Pydar-street, Truro, was charged before the Mayor and Mr. CHAPPEL, with assaulting Frederick DREW, sub-bailiff to the Truro County Court. It appeared from complainant's statement that he went to Gidley's house on Tuesday evening last, to levy a distress in pursuance of an order of the County Court. Gidley asked what the distress was for; and Drew replied, "you know very well." Some words followed, and Gidley turned round and struck Drew with his fist in the face. The assault was witnessed by BRAY, an assistant to Drew. Mr. Reginald ROGERs, the registrar of the Truro County Court, attended to watch the case. The defendant was convicted, and fined 10s. and costs. On Thursday, James DART and William TEAGUE, both of Truro, were charged before the Mayor, and Mr. CHAPPEL and Mr. PADDON, magistrates, with stealing two sovereigns from Samuel MASTERS, a sailor. On Tuesday evening last, the two lads and the sailor were drinking together at different public houses in the town, and about one o'clock on Wednesday morning they were met by police constable PAPPIN, who saw them go in the direction of the quay, where the vessel was lying to which the sailor belonged. On Wednesday the sailor found that he had been robbed of his purse and two sovereigns; he gave information at the police station, and police constable PAPPIN went and apprehended Dart and Teague. Dart admitted that they had taken ten shillings from Masters, but not two sovereigns; Teague said he had not taken anything from the sailor but he had received half-a-crown from Dart, knowing it was stolen. They were convicted under the Summary Jurisdiction Act; Dart was sentenced to two months' hard labour and Teague to fourteen days' hard labour. .............. DISTURBANCE IN A CHURCH PORCH - A young man named GWINWELL, of Tywardreath, and another person, were summoned to appear at the Perenpine Petty sessions on the 12th instant, for making a disturbance in the porch of Fowey Church on Sunday the 11th inst. Gwinwell, who appeared to the summons, was fined including costs GBP 1.1s. to be paid in a month, or go to prison. The other accused party did not appear, having absconded............... CHARGE OF SMUGGLING - At the Guildhall, Falmouth, on the 14th inst., before the Mayor Mr. BLIGHT, and Mr. ELLIS, magistrate, Capt. SOOSTE, of the Danish ship "Prince Adalbert," appeared to answer a Customs' information, suing for a penalty of GBP 100. The Collector of Customs at Falmouth appeared for the Crown, and Mr. TILLY for the defendant.. Henry James WEBSTER, tide-surveyor, said: On the 8th of January, after boarding the "Prince Adalbert," I asked Capt. Sooste as to his stores, and he told me he only had 3,000 cigars. On searching the cabin I found 175 more, which the chief and second mate had, and sealed them up. In the meantime Thomas PASKO had been searching in the fore-hold, and on my coming near he told me had just found a case, containing about seven boxes (23lbs.) of cigars. I at once asked the captain whose they were, when he answered "The crews'." . On asking the men, they said they belonged to the captain; again I asked the captain, who replied "they are my stores." . On being cross-examined by Mr. TILLY, the witness admitted that he boarded the vessel before she was at anchor. That on the discovery of cigars in the fore-hold he did not bring them to the captain for his inspection; nor was it till the second time of asking, that he described the case to the captain, when he at once admitted they were his ship's stores, and they might do their best. Witness declined giving any opinion as to the value of the cigars. . Thomas PASKO, tidewaiter, said: On rummaging in the fore-hold, I found an old case, containing 23 lbs of cigars. The mate told me they were the captain's. They were concealed amongst the cargo.. Cross-examined by Mr. Tilly: The cargo, composed of coffee, &c., was in bags and cases. The case of cigars was not under the cargo; never knew a box similarly placed to be intended for smuggling. The box was concealed by old rope and cases. Full twenty minutes before he found the box, which was loosely nailed down, an old rough case, which could easily be broken open. It would contain a great deal more than it then held. . Mr. Tilly then ably addressed the court, stating that the wretched trash, designated by the name of cigars, when produced, would utterly negative the probability of their being intended to be smuggled, and rested his defence on two grounds: - first, that the captain was in the port by unavoidable accident, being compelled to put in from the sickness of his crew, and that the vessel was not liable to forfeiture, by reason of having cigars in an illegal package; and secondly, that the cigars found were bona fide ship's stores, which had been used in the ship as such, and that they therefore came under the exemption contained in the 27th section of the Supplemental Customs Act, 1855, and the 214th section of the Consolidated Act; and called Mr. C. SCOTT, the boarding-clerk of Messrs. BROAD and SONS, who proved that the ship had received orders to proceed to London before she came to anchor, but that the captain was unable to proceed, in consequence of the illness of some of his crew, although the wind was fair. . Albert SWADGER, second mate, proved that the cigars found in the case were the remains of 12,000 cigars, purchased in Denmark three years ago, and had never been taken out of the ship, and were now reduced to 1,700, from being from time to time issued to the crew, and that they were placed in the fore hold, away from the others, because they had the worm. That the captain, before his arrival, had been on deck three nights, and about a day or two before they came to Falmouth, had given him orders to put all the tobacco into one place, to be sealed up by the custom-house officers. That the mate forgot it until they entered the harbour, when there was no time to attend to the cigars, as the custom-house officers boarded the vessel before the anchor was let go.. Mr. Tilly now ordered the cigars to be produced, when a large rough case was brought into court, loosely fastened, which, on being opened, was found to contain cigars of the commonest kind, in a wretched condition, and covered with worms. Edward LAWRENCE and Edward HAY, two of the seamen, corroborated the evidence of the preceding witness. Mr. A. SPARGO, chemist, carrying on a large trade in cigars, proved that the cigars in question were mere rubbish; that it would not be safe to keep them near other tobacco, for they would impart the worm, and ruin the whole. The Collector briefly replied to the case, pressing for a conviction. The bench, however, immediately decided that the defendant was entitled to an acquittal........... LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Mr. Henry BRADFIELD wrote a letter to the editor, regarding the Shipwrecked Sailor's Fund. Included in his message were these facts - "During the past year, 5995 persons suffering from shipwreck have been relieved at a cost of GBP 5905; this large number being composed of 2368 widows, orphans, and aged parents, and 3322 fishermen and mariners; and since the formation of the institution, in 1839, the large number of 57,604 persons have experienced the blessings of the society.".......... MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENTS - On Wednesday the 14th instant, at Redruth, an accident ....by which a poor woman named MARY HARRIS lost her life. It appears that she was in the act of passing across a street called Buller's-row, just as an omnibus from Falmouth was entering the town, and another carriage going in a contrary direction. The evening was dark, and no doubt she saw but the one vehicle. She was knocked down by the other which she could not have seen, otherwise she might have avoided it, and the wheels passed over her head. Mr. HARRIS, surgeon, was called in, who said he thought it was a little bruise, and would soon pass off again. There seemed to be no internal injury, but the poor woman gradually sunk and died on the second day after the accident. There appears to be no blame attached to any one but herself..Another correspondent says it is believed that if Buller's Row, so near the Gas Works, had been lighted at the time, this fatal accident would not have taken place. He states there is a very strong feeling upon this subject, and it is believed that the inhabitants will have no objection to pay a moderate and reasonable rate, so that the flourishing town of Redruth, Green Lane, and Buller's Row shall be lighted with gas. The verdict of the coroner’s jury on the above case was "Accidental Death".............. CORONER'S INQUESTS -. The following inquests have been held before Mr. Gilbert HAMLEY, county coroner; on Friday at Padstow, on the body of a man washed ashore near Trevose Head, on the day previous. From the evidence there was no doubt but that he was one of the unfortunate crew of the "Alpha," of Jersey, wrecked near Padstow, during the late gale. It was stated by one of the witnesses, that on Sunday morning, from information he received, he went to Trevose Head, and saw a vessel running for the shore, which was afterwards found to be the "Alpha," of Jersey; on nearing the bay, she was signaled to run into the bay, but from want of the main-sail lug she did not get so near into the bay as she ought. . She was then signaled to let go her anchor; she drifted one hundred fathoms before the anchor dropped; and it was half an hour before the crew let go her second anchor, which apparently had to be got up from below. By this time the tide had ebbed, and the sea began to break very near her. The crew then began to get the boat out, and a signal was hoisted on the west side of the bay, for the boat to come towards it, and men were there ready with ropes around them to render assistance. There was no other place in the bay in which a boat could land with a chance of safety. The boat was kept alongside the ship ten minutes while the crew were getting their clothes into her, and during that ten minutes the sea had decreased amazingly. The boat then left the ship, and made an effort to obey the signal, but the crew instantly stopped rowing. She then dashed into the breakers, and was at once capsized; none of the crew were saved. .Had there been a rocket apparatus, or a boat which could have been launched from the outer Medross Rocks, the vessel could have been boarded before the sea broke so heavily over her. It would be very desirable if a communication were effected from the shore to the outer rock, and a boat kept there in case of emergency; vessels could then be hailed and rockets thrown from this outer Island, in almost every case of a vessel running for the Bay in distress. N.W. Gales are the most dangerous on this coast, and the Polventen Bay is the only anchorage during the ebb tide on the north coast of Cornwall. It is absolutely necessary that a boat should always be kept there ready, as it would be impossible to get a boat over the high cliffs, and even if got over, it would be dangerous to launch her through the surf. A vessel anchoring at Polventon Bay on the ebb would have a chance to run for Padstow on the next flood, and in the majority of cases the crew would be safely got ahore even if the vessel were lost. .It appeared from the evidence of three pilots called BLAKE, COBBLEDICK, and FRENCH, that they went to the hills between one and two in the morning, and that they left about five. Their statements were very contradictory; they all however admitted having come away long before daylight, and before they were relieved by other pilots. They admitted that it was their duty to remain at their posts until twelve o'clock the Padstow Harbour Association having built two houses for them about two years since, they having represented they wanted shelter. There are fire places in both houses, so that they had no excuse for leaving their posts during such a heavy gale. Mr. HAWKEN, the collector, at Padstow, stated that there were six able pilots at the port, and that it was the duty of three of them to be at the hills looking out, and in case of emergency or very rough weather for all six to be there, and he considered that there was great neglect of duty on the part of the pilots, in leaving the hills on Sunday morning before daylight. The enquiry lasted a considerable time. . Mr. BRUNE who has always felt a deep interest in the proper regulations of the harbour was present, and it must have been satisfactory to him, and to the public, to find that the life-boat, and all the apparatus provided by the Padstow Harbour Association were in good order, and ready for immediate use. The jury found that deceased was washed ashore at newtrain, and expressed a hope that a boat and rocket apparatus would be placed on the outside of the Medross Rocks, on the north of Polventon Bay, and they considered there had been gross neglect of duty on the part of the pilots in leaving the hills long before daylight, and high water on Sunday morning last during a heavy N.W. gale. . On the 19th, at Port Isaac, on view of the body of Mary ADAMS, who was found dead in her bed, and supposed to have died under suspicious circumstances, it having been reported that a daughter with whom she lived had ill used her, and had threatened that she should not live long after Christmas. .It appeared from the evidence that deceased had been confined to her bed three months, and was supposed to have been out of her mind; she was very restless, and was continually hollowing on Friday last, and the daughter sent a woman called Margaret BATE to a druggist's shop in Port Isaac, to get a pennyworth of laudanum. This person being afraid to go herself, sent a little girl to the shop, and she was supplied by a woman called GUMMOE, an assistant in Mr. JOHNSON's shop; it was taken home, and the daughter in the presence of Margaret Bate, mixed a portion of the laudanum with some sugar and water, and give it to her mother about three o'clock in the afternoon. At five some tea was taken to her, and she appeared very cheerful; she was seen again at twelve o'clock, and was then apparently as well as usual. .The daughter and a servant girl slept in an adjoining room, and in the evening the daughter went into her room, and immediately came down stairs and told the servant, who was lighting the fires, that she was afraid something had happened to her mother. A person called Gregory TABB, who was passing by the door, was called in, and he went up stairs and found her quite dead. .Mr. TREVAN, a surgeon practicing at Port Isaac, stated that he had examined the body, and that he found every appearance of a person who had died from the effects of a narcotic poison. There being no evidence of any ill treatment on the part of the daughter, and several witnesses having stated that deceased had been properly treated, and there being but a small portion of the laudanum gone from the bottle, the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, that the child died from taking an overdose of laudanum. [This is as written; not 'deceased', but 'child'. Also, clearly "Solomon's shop" not "Johnson's". Perhaps this report actually covered two cases?] The coroner sent for the assistants in Mrs. SOLOMON's shop, the principal being absent, and cautioned them as to sending out poisons without a label in future. .............. On the 20th, on the body of Ann ROBERTS, at Roche, who went to bed on the previous night quite well, and was found dead in her bed by her son in the morning. Verdict, "Visitation of God."........... LETTER TO THE EDITOR ALLEGED ASSAULT. SIR - As numerous exparte statements of an assault, alleged to have been committed by me against Mr. Mark Benjamin BENHAM, alias Mark BENJAMIN, have appeared in the weekly and daily papers, and as such partial accounts are calculated to do me injustice and injury, I have to request, until my defense is heard, which will entirely exempt me and my servant (to whose fidelity I owe my life) from blame, that your readers will suspend their judgment, especially on evidence so contradictory as that adduced by the complainant's witnesses. . I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, J. M. WINN 13 Finsbury Square, January 19, 1857........... DEVON TAVISTOCK COUNTY COURT - At their court on Saturday, before Mr. PRAED, the Judge, Mr. VERCOE, ad draper residing at St. Austle, who brought 43 plaints (tally cases) before the court at the last sitting, said he had an application to make to his honor under the 22nd section of the 10 and 20 Victoria, to have the venue changed from that court to the Court at Liskeard of all his cases that were coming on that day, on the ground that he could not obtain a fair and impartial trial under his honor. The paper he held in his hand was a copy of an affidavit which he had made to that effect.. His HONOR: I don't think I ought to entertain the application in that form. Mr. Vercoe: From my experience at the last court that I was here, I don't think I can obtain an impartial hearing before your honor. His HONOR: That is a matter of opinion. Mr. Vercoe: Your honor has shown yourself very much interested. His HONOR: How so? Mr. Vercoe: I consider you did not act with impartiality, but took the part of an advocate. His HONOR: What is my interest as an advocate? Mr. Vercoe: I am not aware of an interest, but your honor is unfair in your ruling. His HONOR: My interest is to do justice according to my conscience. Mr. Vercoe: Conscience is a very convenient term.. With his Honor's permission, Mr. Vercoe then read the following affidavit: In the County Court of Devonshire held at Tavistock, I, WILLIAM VERCOE, of Saint Austell, in the county of Cornwall, draper, the plaintiff in cases No. J9386, Vercoe v. JOHN LUXMORE - K2, WRIGHT and wife, executrix of D. BURN v. Thomas DUXMORE - No. 387, same v. George TREFFRY - No. 388 same v. George Treffry and wife - hereby make oath and say as follows, that I believe that I cannot obtain an impartial hearing and trial in this court, and I apply under sec. 22nd of the 19th and 20th Victoria, to change the venue from this court to the adjoining court of Liskeard, held in the county of Cornwall. W. Vercoe.". At the conclusion of it, Mr. Vercoe repeated his opinion that he did not obtain justice in that court. He was sorry to have to say so to his honor, but it was a duty he (Mr. V.) owed to his family and to his merchants. His Honor said it could not be shown that he had any interest whatever in the cases, and there would be no more convenience obtained by removing them to any other court - they must therefore proceed. Julia M. West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell