13 JUNE 1851 REGENT HOUSE ACADEMY PENZANCE - The duties of this establishment were brought to a termination on Wednesday last, by the usual half-yearly distribution of prizes. The following young gentlemen who had distinguished themselves in the various studies, were then rewarded. In the first class, scripture and history, WILLIAM WOOD, Cheddar; geography and arithmetic, JAMES BAZELEY, Copperhouse; writing and general improvement, JOHN J. TRURAN, Madron; mathematics, JAMES RUNNALLS. In the second class, scripture and history, JOHN H. JAMES; geography and arithmetic, CHARLES A. RICHARDS; writing, CHARLES TONKING, Hayle; English grammar, FRANCIS HARVEY, Trelissick; general improvement, JAMES COURTENAY; voluntary studies, PETER COLLIVER. In the prepatory class, SAMUEL COOK, JOHN WILLIAMS, JOHN B. MERIFIELD, and JAMES T. BARNES obtained distinctions of merit. Latin prize, RALPH H. BODILY, French, JAMES B. BARNES; drawing, PHILIP B. STEPHENS, Hayle; drilling MORRIS E. JONES. At an exhibition of several articles of ingenuity, and skill, voluntarily made, FRANCIS R. MICHELL, Madron; R. C. PASCOE, GEORGE ASH, and JAMES BAZELEY, were severally rewarded. WRESTLING AT COPENHAGEN-HOUSE, LONDON - These annual matches, in the Cornish style, commenced on Monday last, at the above house, and considering the unsettled rawness of the day, the suburban grounds were most numerously and respectably attended, many of the subscribers being present to witness the play - the prizes, being open to all players to contend for, drew forth a numerous lot of players from different counties. We have only space to name the winners in the well -contested matches, ROBINSON of Cumberland threw RATTENBURY of Devon; NICHOLSON, of Westmoreland, threw MOORE of Devon; PEARCE, of Cornwall, downing HOOPEL of Devon; STEPHENS, of Oxford, played a beautiful winning game with BOWDEN, of Devon. Several other matches came off, the last being the Giant, GLOYNE of Devon, being matched against BERRYMAN of Cornwall, a fresh man who came with the intention of wearing home the champion's belt, but the giant very obstinately disputed his claim playing a most severe bout for upwards of an hour, when night put an end to one of the finest day's wrestling ever seen in London. THE CANTERBURY SETTLEMENT - The four vessels that sailed In September last for this new establishment arrived safe at their destination, and it is somewhat singular that three out of the four reached their port, within twelve hours of each other, on the 16th of December. The fourth, the "CRESSY," was eleven days after the others. They had a most prosperous voyage. The REV. E . PUCKLE sailed in the "RANDOLPH," and the passengers and crew of that vessel sent a deputation, unknown to Mr. Puckle, to wait on the REV. DR. SELWYN, the Bishop of New Zealand, to express their great affection for, and admiration of, the reverend gentleman's Zeal and christianlike demeanour to the whole of the numerous ship's company, that he had preserved harmony and peace throughout the voyage, and promoted the comfort and happiness of all. The Bishop in reply said he was delighted to receive this testimony to Mr. Puckle's merits, he had heard of the unity that had prevailed on board of the "Randolph," and he was highly pleased that the reverend gentleman had been able to carry out, his, the bishop's, views, stated in one of his lordship's letters to England, and the "he had so knit all hearts as to have brought his flock with him." The bishop subsequently gave Mr. Puckle a most cordial and flattering reception, and we have no doubt that he will prove one of the most efficient and useful persons in the construction of this new colony. The circumstances which led to Mr. Puckle's removal from St. Mawes, have thus, as we are glad to learn, indirectly contributed to his own benefit, and to the general advantage of an interesting community. [for more information on the Canterbury Settlement, please see http://www.teara.gov.nz/1966/C/CanterburyProvinceAndProvincialDistrict/Organised//Settlement/en ] MENHENIOT FAIR - This fair on Monday last, was well supplied; the price for fat beasts from 40s. to 42s. per cwt; and of sheep about 5d. per lb.; store cattle, on account of the quantity of grass, sold well. On the whole prices were much the same as at late fairs, cows and calves sold at about 40s. per cwt. HELSTON WHITSUN FAIR - In consequence of the unfavourable weather on Whit Monday, this fair altogether was the smallest which we remember. For fat bullocks, of which there were very few, the demand was brisk, and 42s. per cwt. were freely given. Lean cattle were worth 30s. per cwt. Although there were on the green a great number of horses, but few were of sufficient value to attract attention. The shows were of the most meager description, despite the protestation of the proprietors. TRURO WHITSUN FAIR - This fair was held on Wednesday last. At the cattle fair, in the morning, there was a much smaller supply than usual, in consequence of Grampound fair (one of the principle cattle fairs in the neighbourhood) being held on the same day. Fat cattle sold at 40s. to 42s. per cwt., store cattle from 35s. to 38s. per cwt. The supply of lean cattle was small, the eastern dealers preferring to attend the Grampound fair to make their purchases of store bullocks; but though many buyers who usually attend this fair were absent, there was on the whole a tolerable sale in proportion to the supply, the tolls taken showing that about 108 bullocks of all descriptions had been disposed of in the course of the day. The number of sheep penned was 253, of which about 100 were sold, the price being about 5 1/2 d. per lb. The pleasure fair which had been looked forward to with great anticipation by many, was utterly spoiled by the rain, which commenced about one o'clock, and lasted with little cessation, throughout the day. A considerable number of standings, with the usual supplies of gingerbread, "sweets," toys, &c., were erected, and Moreland's theatre, shows of various kinds, "cheap Jacks," Punch and Judy, and other things, were getting into pretty good business when the rain came, and the publicans benefited by the people retreating into their houses and consuming their liquors. The police had no complaints of pick-pockets during the day, and had only to interfere on two or three occasions to stop some petty fights between riotous men and lads, which were quelled without difficulty. The principal damage done in the town was in the destruction of fancy bonnets by the rain to the great discomfort of the fair wearers. On Thursday the weather was again showery, and checked the enjoyment of the holiday people. CORNWALL COUNTY COURTs - St. Austell - This court was held on Thursday the 5th instant, when thirty-two cases were entered for trial, but none of them were of any public interest. Penzance - the sittings of this Court were held on Tuesday last. The list contained forty-five cases, but about half that number only came on for hearing. JAMES and others, v. The Mayor and Corporation of Penzance. This was an action in which the owners of the schooner, "Beryl," obtained a short time since in this court a verdict against the defendants for GBP 50 for damage sustained by that vessel whilst lying in Penzance pier. Against this decision of the learned judge, notice of appeal had been given on behalf of the defendants. MR. DARKE, for the defendants, now informed the court, that having obtained the opinion of counsel on the propriety of proceeding with this appeal, and after mature consideration, the defendants had decided on not taking the case to a superior court, and he now consented to the plaintiff's receiving from the court the amount of damages and costs. CURLEY v. JOHN NANKERVIS - the plaintiff is a coast guard man stationed at Pendeen, in St. Just in Penwith, and the defendant a miner, residing in the same parish. It appeared that the parties had met on Good Friday last, at a public house at Morvah, kept by a person of the name of TROUNSON, and it was alleged on the part of the plaintiff, that he had been seriously insulted and assaulted by the parties who were drinking in that house, particularly by the defendant, who, it was sworn, had declared that he would be the death of the plaintiff before the night was over. The plaintiff left the public-house at a late hour in company with another person called DAVY, and after he had proceeded about a mile on his way home he heard footsteps, and on looking round he saw the defendant; that the defendant then said, "Is that you, Curley," and upon his saying "yes," the defendant replied, "we will have it out now then" and immediately felled him to the ground, and commenced kicking him about the head and face inflicting serious wounds. The defendant then proceeded on his way leaving him on the ground. It appeared that immediately on the scuffle taking place, Davy ran away, leaving the plaintiff and defendant together. The other persons who had been drinking at the public house some time afterwards, came up, found Curley lying on the ground bleeding profusely, and carried him to his house, where he was confined to his bed and prevented from attending to his duty for a period of thirty-nine days. During his confinement he was attended by MR. CAUDLE, surgeon, of St. Just. In support of the plaintiff's case, the constable of Morvah was called, who deposed to the uttering of the threat by the defendant that he would kill Curley, and also by Davy, who swore that the defendant said "are you in the same mind now, we'll have it out." He saw the plaintiff and defendant "hitch" in the manner described, and then ran off the assistance. The plaintiff, in his cross-examination, swore that he was not drunk, that he had assaulted no one for the evening, nor had he taken off his jacket to fight. Other witnesses were called in support of the plaintiff's testimony, and on cross-examination it was elicited that the plaintiff had taken off his jacket, and had had a scuffle with several parties in the house. In answer to the charge, the defendant stated that he and his companions had been drinking, and spending the evening at the public house at Morvah, when the plaintiff and three others who had been drinking in another public house came in; the landlord refused to draw any spirits to the plaintiff, alleging as an excuse that it was after hours, although such was not the fact. He stated so because he saw that the plaintiff had had enough; up to this time no disturbance had taken place. The persons who came in with the plaintiff had some spirits drawn for them, of which the plaintiff partook. Whilst drinking, a young man called JAMES NANKERVIS, who had been drinking at another public-house with the plaintiff, came in, and demanded of Curley and his companions his box, containing his money, which had been taken from him whilst he was asleep. Upon his asking, the plaintiff said "d... you, I will give you a receipt for the money" and immediately struck him. Whilst they were fighting, an uncle of James Nankervis, called THOMAS NANKERVIS, got up to take his part. The plaintiff immediately challenged him, and they fought several rounds. After a short time, the defendant asked his neighbour, a man called WILLIAMS, to assist him in separating them. The defendant then caught hold of the plaintiff, and Williams caught hold of the other man, and eventually the two were separated. The plaintiff then struck the plaintiff, and challenged to fight him, which defendant refused to do. Shortly after the defendant had occasion to go out of the house, and he was followed by the plaintiff, who again challenged him to fight. The plaintiff was however led away by a man called DAVY, but declaring that if he fell in with the defendant for night he would do for him. The plaintiff and defendant, nothwithstanding this precaution, met and fought. The defendant is well known as a good wrestler in his parish. On other parities coming up, they found both the plaintiff and the defendant on the ground at a slight distance from each other; both were severely beaten. The plaintiff said he had been fighting with Nankervis, and would fight him again if the defendant would not throw him. The plaintiff was the best "boxer," and the defendant had one of his eyes badly blackened, and was bleeding profusely. The plaintiff received a most excellent character from the officer in command at Pendeen station. The damages were laid at GBP 10, and after a long and protracted hearing, his Honor decided that the plaintiff bore marks which evidently were not inflicted by the fist, and that he had been subjected to severe treatment, and he therefore considered the verdict should be for the plaintiff, and taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration, that the damages were not laid at too high an amount in GBP 10, and should therefore award the plaintiff that sum with costs. Mr. PASCOE and Mr. ROSCORLA appeared for the respective parties. TRESPASS IN PURSUIT OF RABBITS - At the Torpoint Petty Sessions, on Tuesday last, before Mr. J. C. ROBERTS and the REV. WALLIS ROBERTS, JOSEPH AGIDDY was charged with trespassing on certain inclosed lands, part of Wrickle Farm, in the parish of Sheviock, the property of Mr. CAREW, M.P., in search or pursuit of game. >From the evidence of WILLIAM BATE, it appeared that on the 19th of May last, he saw defendant in a field on Wrickle Farm, with three dogs, and on his coming up, Giddy was standing near a hole in the hedge; he observed a ferret in his hand, which he endeavoured to conceal, and from what he saw, had no hesitation in saying that defendant was in search of rabbits. The Magistrates considered the charge fully proved, and having been convicted before, was fined in the penalty of GBP 2 and costs, which was immediately paid. GEORGE HAINES, Mr. Carew's gamekeeper, who was entitled as informer, to a moiety of the fine, said if Giddy would refrain from trespassing on his master's or any other grounds in pursuit of game for twelve months, he would, at the end of that time hand over the money to him, as he did not wish to appropriate the money to his own use. ASSAULT ON A CONSTABLE - On Monday last, RICHARD BROOKS, of St. Austell, was committed by MR. EDWARD COODE, jun., to take his trial at the next quarter sessions on the charge of having on the 24th of May last, unlawfully assaulted JOHN WESTLAKE, Police Constable, whilst engaged in the execution of his duty. COMMITTALS - On Friday the 6th instant, ELIZA KEY was committed by MR. COODE, jun., to the house of correction at Bodmin, for twenty-one days' hard labour, as an idle and disorderly person, for begging in the streets of Bt. Austell. On Saturday last, a man calling himself JAMES BLACK, was committed for trial by MR. ANSTIS and MR. BOASE, magistrates of Liskeard, for picking the pockets of the daughter of MR. HAINE, butcher, and MRS. STANTON, the wife of a labourer. ACCIDENT - On Friday last, as a mason named ROBERT HARVEY, was working about some scaffolding belonging to the West Cornwall Railway, at Hayle, which had not been made sufficiently secure, the man fell to the ground, and one of the poles came on him with such force, that his thigh was instantly fractured. Apprehensions were entertained that amputation would be required, but it is now hoped that it will not be necessary. The patient is under the care of Dr. MILLETT, of Penpol, and is progressing favourably. CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before MR. HAMLEY, county coroner: On the 3rd instant, at St. Minver, on MARY JANE MATTHEWS, a child five years old, who was burnt to death by her clothes taking fire. The father was working in his garden in front of the house, and the mother had just gone upstairs, leaving the deceased and another child in the kitchen. The father heard a shriek, and on running in met the child coming out in flames. The fire was got out immediately, but she died in a few hours from the injury. Verdict, accidental death. On the 7th instant, at Luxulyan, on JOHN TUCKER, a child ten months old. The father, who is a tailor, and the mother had gone out to work, leaving the child in the care of his grandmother and aunt. The grandmother had left for some purpose, and the aunt had gone to the back part of the house for some wood, when, on returning, she found the child's clothes all on fire; she got it out, but the child died in consequence in a few hours. Verdict, accidental death. The following inquests have been held before Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY, deputy coroner: On Saturday last, at West Looe, on the body of a male infant, who died under the following suspicious circumstances, and who had been buried nearly a month. An anonymous letter was sent to the coroner the day after the child died, which the coroner, of course, took no notice of, but there being so many rumours afloat, respecting the death of the child, and the mother having lost no less than seven children before, all who lived but a day or two, and no inquest being held on neither of them, the parish authorities now wrote the coroner, begging that the body might be disinterred, which was accordingly done. The deputy coroner, in opening the case, said "this is an inquest which, from communications made to me, I have felt it my duty to institute, in order that you may inquire into the circumstances touching the death of this child. The jury will, I think, agree with me that there has been great remissness on the part of the peace officers of this parish, who, after hearing the various reports that had been in circulation respecting the death of the child, and knowing the character of the mother, and that no less than seven of her children had died in a most suspicious manner within a day or two of their births, that they had not acquainted the coroner of the case that an inquiry might have been gone into before you within a few hours of the child's death. I fear now it will be almost impossible for the medical gentleman, whom I have ordered to examine the body, to ascertain if there are any marks of violence. You will be good enough now to view the body, the evidence will then be laid before you, and it will be for you to say on that evidence whether there be any thing that will make ulterior proceedings necessary. I will say no more in the case at this stage of the proceedings, as it might appear like prejudging it. You will, of course, dismiss from your minds all the reports that may have reached you in the case, and be guided entirely by the evidence that will be called before you." The doctor, coroner, and jury, then viewed the body, but from the length of time since it had been buried, it was in such a state that it was almost impossible to go near it. On retiring into the inquest room, the first witness examined was THOMAS MEDLAND, the sexton, who deposed that on Sunday the 18th of May, a little girl called ANN MEDLAND came to him and asked him to bury the baby, stating that the carpenter had put it into a box and refused to carry it away. He went to Mr. Medland's house and took away the box and buried it in the church-yard, but having heard some reports about the child, he would not have buried it had he not been told to. CATHERINE BAWDEN stated that on Thursday the 15th of May, she was sent for to attend MARY ANN MEDLAND, who was in labour. Shortly after she came she was delivered of a fine, full-grown, healthy child; this was about seven o'clock in the evening. She kept the child down stairs all the night, and on the following day took it to the mother for a short time and then brought it down stairs again. On the following night she was afraid to remain with the child down stairs by herself, and sent for a woman called JANE HAMBLY to stay with her for company. About half-past four in the morning the child appeared quite well. At the mother's request they took it to her bed, and then the witness and Jane Hambly both left the house. About an hour after, Jane Hambly returned and went up stairs and found the child dead, and the mother apparently asleep. The child was quite warm. Jane Hambly corroborated this statement, and stated that she had kept the child away from the mother as long as she could, because she (the mother) had lost so many before, and the neighbours said this one would go the same way, and if it did she (Jane Hambly) should like to see the last of it. Several other witnesses were examined, who saw the child after it was born, and stated that it was a very fine child. MR. RICHARDS, a surgeon stated that it would be useless making a post mortem examination, as the body was in such a decomposed state as far as he was able to judge, there was no mark of violence on the body neither was there any injury on the head, but he could not take it upon himself to state what was the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict that the child was found dead, but there was not sufficient evidence for them to say what was the cause of its death. The jury all agreed that it was certainly a most suspicious case, and one with which the coroner ought to be made acquainted immediately after the death. On Saturday last, Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY held an inquest at Callington, on the body of MARY STEPHENS. It appeared that the deceased cohabited with a man called JONAS ODGERS, a miner. SARAH KIT stated that she lived next door to deceased, who had been a strong healthy woman up to the last few days. She had lately complained of pains in her head. About eleven o'clock the previous day she went to her house and found her in bed, deceased said she would try to get up soon. Witness then left her, and hearing her child cry about two o'clock, again went up stairs and found her dead. Odgers stated that he had lived with deceased sixteen months, and that generally she had been a very healthy woman. At half-past six in the morning, he left her in bed, to go to the mine to work, having previously made her a cup of tea. On the previous night he had prepared a basin of gruel for her, the remains of which was found by the bedside, and thrown away before the inquest was held. Two other witnesses stated that deceased had complained of giddiness in the head for the last day or two, and stated that the man with whom she cohabited was always very kind to her, which fact was corroborated by deceased's father. Mr. HENDER, surgeon, examined the body, but found nothing to account for death; there were no indications of her having vomited, neither were there any external marks of violence on the body, but although he could not without making a post mortem examination of the body, state the cause of her death, he was of opinion that she died from natural causes. Verdict, found dead. The following inquest have been held before Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner: On Thursday last, at Point, in the parish of Feock, on the body of WILLIAM WESCOTT, aged 11 years. The deceased and two other little boys, much younger than himself, were last Wednesday evening in the Desilvering Smelting Works, at Point, amusing themselves with an iron tram waggon, weighing about 4 cwt., used for the purpose of drawing the pigs of lead from the works to the yard. They had got it on the rails, where there is an incline towards the yard, down which it ran. The deceased was at the end of the handle trying to push it back, but the impetus was too great for him, and he was jammed between the handle and some pigs of lead in the yard, by which he was so severely injured that he died the following morning. Verdict accidental death. On Monday, at St. Stephens, on the body of SARAH BROWN, aged 5 years, who caught her clothes on fire, during the absence of her parents, who had gone to St. Austell market last Friday, and was so dreadfully burnt before the fire could be extinguished that she only survived about three hours. [She had been left in charge of her eldest sister, aged 11 years. She tried to move a kettle over the fire, and her clothes caught on fire.] Verdict, accidental death. On Tuesday, at West Basset mine, Illogan, on the body of JOHN WATERS. The deceased was one of Camborne, and for some time prior to the 19th of December, 1849, he had been in an insane state of mind, and not able to follow his occupation as a miner. On that day, he wandered away from home, and was never seen again. Some miners were clearing out an old adit in the West Basset sett, and found a body at the bottom of a shaft that had not been used for ten or eleven years. It was identified by his sons, who recognized the shoes and hat deceased wore. Verdict, found dead. On the same day, at Redruth, on the body of GEORGE ROSKILLY, aged thirty-one years. Deceased was a breaksman on the West Cornwall Railway, proceeding from Dolcoath to Portreath, on Tuesday morning, with a train which had nine trucks or waggons, each laden with about four tons of copper ore. Reaching a spot where breaks were applied, deceased applied the break to the first waggon, and was in the act of crossing to the other side, when by some means his foot slipped, and he fell between the two tracks. The stoker, who saw what happened, told the engine driver, who stopped the train as soon as possible, and returned to the spot, where they found the body. [There were obvious head injuries, and he had died instantly.] The train was not going at more than six miles an hour, and no blame could be attributed to the engine driver, or any other party connected with the train. Deceased had been employed in the same capacity about five years, and bore a most excellent character. He has left a widow and three children. Verdict, accidental death. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR "SMUGGLING" at ST. IVES SIR - Having seen a paragraph in your paper of last week headed "smuggling" and that a vessel named the "St. George," of Bristol, had been detained at the port of St. Ives by the customs, in consequence of the name in her stern not being sufficiently plain, I beg to inform you that I am the master of the above named smack, and that I brought her to anchor in St. Ives Bay, on Saturday morning the 31st of May last, for the purpose of taking in some baskets of fish, being at the time bound up channel. To my surprise, on Monday, she was brought into port by the custom-house officers and coast guard. The general belief in this town and neighbourhood is that one of the coast guard was rambling from a public house late on Saturday night, he fancied he met a waggon, loaded with contraband goods, and in his attempt to stop the waggon, was either knocked down, or from other causes, he fell under the waggon. This circumstance has caused the detention of my vessel, as at that time she was the only one in the bay. The vessel is still under an arrest, and I very much doubt whether I shall not lose the confidence of my employers, unless the business is thoroughly explained. How far they have a right to detain the ship I am at a loss to conceive. Had this occurred in any other port, I should, with my crew, be in a state of great distress. I am a native of this port, and am in consequence thrown upon my friends for my daily bread. If you will favour me by inserting the above in your next week's columns, I shall ever feel grateful/ I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, JAMES WILLIAMS St. Ives, June 10, 1851 P.S. - The vessel has a four-inch letter in her stern, perfectly plain. THE TRIGG AGRICULTURAL MEETING SIR - Your most excellent Reporter has, I hope, for once committed an error. He makes me say at the Bodmin Agricultural Meeting, when referring to Mr. TREMAYNE's famous "lament" - "good old Mr. Tremayne's dungheap," instead of Mr. Tremayne's "dear old dungheap." If not an error, I did not intend to use the words I refer to. Will you kindly insert this letter, corrective of two epithets which are much too familiar to be courteous. I am, sir, your obedient servant, N. KENDALL Pelyn, June 7, 1851 (The words in our report were - good old Mr. Tremayne's "dear old dungheap.") [the line above, in parentheses, appeared in the paper, just as given] Julia Mosman, OPC for St.Austell,Charlestown, and Treverbyn Website at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell W. Briton newspaper transcripts at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad Please visit the OPC website at http://cornwall-opc.org