West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. Friday 12th December, 1851. Part One POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS - A requisition having been numerously and very respectably signed by the inhabitants of Camelford, Boscastle, and its vicinity, addressed to the Rev. ROGER BIRD, mayor of Camelford, a public meeting was held in the Town-hall, on Friday the 5rh instant, for the purpose of memorialising the Post-Master-General, to alter the present badly conducted and inconvenient postal arrangements for the northern part of the county. A very spirited memorial was adopted, with a request that the mayor sign it on behalf of the meeting, and forward it to the Postmaster-General. BODMIN - A Chase - On Friday last, an officer from London, and Mr. TAPSON, a sheriff's officer from Launceston, arrived at Bodmin in charge of a debtor whom they had arrested at Probus. They put him into the Garland Ox Inn for the purpose of getting some breakfast; and, while there, the debtor asked for a sheet of paper to write a letter. The three were then sitting at a table near the window; but the debtor, saying he found the light too strong, retired to another table near the door, and in a minute, seeing the officers in close conversation, darted out, shut the door after him, and rushed into the street. The officers, both somewhat elderly men, immediately gave chase, accompanied by all who happened to be in the inn crying "Stop thief! Catch him! Hold Him!" at the top of their voices, and to the immense delight of the whole neighbourhood. Nobody, however, for some time did stop him; but, on the contrary, those who happened to be in his way, immediately got out of it, - some looking on in great glee, others in blank amazement, - and horses were being caparisoned in order to follow, when just as he was gaining the open country, he was seized by a man called JAGO, and the hand cuffs having been put on him, was conveyed to prison. Mrs. KELYNACK - A spirited and life-like lithographic print of this old Cornish fisherwoman has been executed by Brandard, and published by Colnaghi, of London. MARAZION - A school-room for boys, with a master's dwelling house, built at the sole expense of lady MARY COLE, as a memorial of her husband, Sir CHRISTOPHER COLE, R.N., K.C.B., has lately been opened for the instruction of the boys of this town, of which Sir Christopher Cole was a native. The school room is thirty-six feet long by eighteen wide, and accommodates 100 scholars; class room twelve feet by twelve; kitchen twelve feet by twelve; with wash house, three bedrooms, court yard and other offices. The walls are built of elvin, in random courses with granite dressings. The cost has been about GBP800. The builders were Messrs. MAY, of Devonport; and the architect Mr. J. P. ST. AUBYN, of London. BITE OF A RATTLESNAKE - A correspondent sends us the following extract from a letter he has received from Mexico:- "A Cornish gentleman by the name of HOCKIN, who has been for many years director of the Zacatecas Mint in Mexico, and is fond of shooting, whilst out the other day with his gun, was bitten by a Rattlesnake, the result of which is certain death, if a remedy be not instantly applied. Hockin, in the absence of medical aid, heroically cut the wounded part out with a knife, and filled the hole, in the left, three times with gunpowder, blowing it off each time, and I understand it saved his life. SHEEP STEALING - Early on Sunday morning last, some person entered a field belonging to Mr. RICHARD EDMONDS, Treswithan, near Camborne, and stole a fat sheep. It is evident the sheep was killed in the field, traces of blood having been discovered. FOWL STEALING - On Saturday night last, upwards of thirty fowls were stolen from the premises of Mr. ROWE, of Cargoll farm, in Newlyn east. Suspicion fell upon a lander and a carpenter employed at East Wheal Rose mine. The house of one of those parties was searched, and a number of dead fowls, fowl pasties &c., were found. They were afterwards both apprehended for the offence. ACCIDENTS - About ten days since, the brig "Eagle," MABLEY master, from Quebec, was discharging her cargo at Padstow, when the wrench gave way, and a young man named Mabley, was considerably injured; another called OLIVER, had three fingers cut off, his collar bone put out, and three ribs broken, but they are now in a way of recovery. GUN ACCIDENT - To the shop of Mr. SEARLE, blacksmith, Fowey, a fowling-piece was brought for repair, and having snapped it and tried the barrel, the ramrod being beneath the muzzle, it was considered free from charge. The touchhole being pricked and a cap put on, the gun was snapped. JAGO, Mr. Searle's journeyman, held his hand a short distance from the muzzle to feel the force of the wind from the cap, but unfortunately the load, which had not been discovered, (the touchhole being foul and the ramrod short,) exploded, and shot off the fore and middle fingers, besides shattering his right hand. CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before Mr. JOHN CARLYON county coroner, during the past week. - On Friday last, at Rail Stamps, in the parish of Illogan, on the body of DOROTHY HARRIS, a child six years old, who accidentally caught her clothes on fire on the previous Wednesday, and was so dreadfully burnt that before her elder sister, who was present, could extinguish the flames that she died the following day. Verdict, "accidental death." On Saturday last, at Lanner, in the parish of Gwennap, on the body of the male infant child of JOSEPH COLLINS, found dead in bed on its mother's arm. Verdict, "visitation of God." The following inquests have been held before Mr. HICHENS, county coroner:- On the 4th inst., at Camborne, on the body of WILLIAM WEBSTER, aged 32 years, who being a labourer in Stray Park Mine, in that parish, was on the preceding day at the 96-fathoms level in the engine shaft, standing on a plank across the shaft, and about to drive some nails into a piece of timber there, when the plank on which he stood slipped, and he fell from that level to the 170 fathoms, and received such injury to his head as to cause immediate death. Verdict, "accidental death." On Monday last, in the parish of Buryan, on the body of ANN MADDERN, the younger, aged 36 years. The deceased lived with her parents, and attended to the household affairs, and occasionally assisted in the outdoor work on her father's farm. She was a strong, robust person, but subject to fits, which would render her helpless without a moment's warning. On Saturday last, having taken her breakfast, she left the house without saying where she was going, and being absent longer than her mother thought she has occasion to be, she went to seek for her and supposing that she might have gone to the turf-rick for fuel she went round the dwelling-house in that direction, and at the back of the house she found her lying by the side of a mud pool, with her head in the pool and her mouth and face under water. Her mother pulled her out, but she was dead, and though means were used to endeavour to resuscitate her, they were without effect. Verdict, "accidental death." The following inquest has been held before Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY, deputy coroner:- On the 9th inst., in the parish of St. Austell, on the bodies of WILLIAM and ELIZABETH WELLINGTON, two children who died after a few hours illness. Both having been fine healthy children, and there being a rumour that the children had died from poison, the coroner issued a warrant to Mr. VAWDREY, surgeon to make a post mortem examination of one of the bodies. It appeared that both children had complained of violent pain in the head, and vomited a good deal. Mr. Vawdrey stated that the children had been suffering from the prevailing epidemic - that fever had set in with considerable violence. There was an absence of everything in the stomach that could be an indication that anything improper had been taken. There was no poisonous substance, nor the slightest evidence that any had been there. Judging from the symptoms stated by the father, the other child died from the same cause. The jury in each case returned a verdict of "death from natural causes;" and, in consequence of some reports in the neighbourhood, appended to their verdict, that they were satisfied that nothing improper had been taken in the stomach. The jury after the inquest told Mr. GELDARD, chemist, at St. Austell, that they thought he had acted very properly in doing his utmost to advise the father at once to call in the assistance of a medical man. COURT OF EXCHEQUER - Friday December 5. - ISAAC v. WYLD - This was a motion for a writ of prohibition to the judge of the County Court of Cornwall. The action had been brought for GBP50, but it appeared that the total debt was GBP96. By the County Courts Acts a suitor may not divide his claim in order to bring it within the jurisdiction of the court; but in case his claim shall amount to more than GBP50 he can only sue for that sum, and the judgment of the court is a full discharge for the whole debt. The question, however, had arisen as to at what stage of the proceedings the disclaimer of the excess must be given? In the present case it had been given during the trial, and a minute of it had been entered upon the books of the court. Mr. BARON PARKE said that undoubtedly the fairest way would be that the plaintiff's abandonment of the excess over the GBP50 should appear on the face of the summons or particulars, in order that the defendant might, if he thought fit, at once acquiesce in the demand, and not to put to the expense of contesting it. The language of 63rd section, however, contained no express provision on the subject; and the court, therefore, thought the rule must be discharged; but it would certainly be better if the County Court judges, under the powers of the Act 12 and 13 Vic., chap. 101, would make a rule requiring the abandonment to be entered on the face of the summons. Rule discharged. EXETER DISTRICT COURT OF BANKRUPTCY - Thursday December 4. - Re ROBERT ALLEN of Falmouth and Truro. This was a meeting for the choice of Assignees. The bankrupt was a partner with his brother in a brewery and wine business at Falmouth, about the end of the year 1850, the bankrupt took cellars at Truro, and commenced business as a wine, spirit, beer and porter merchant, going there frequently by day to superintend its management, and generally returning to Falmouth in the evening. It, however, sometimes happened that he remained at Truro over night, when he slept at the Red Lion Hotel, kept by Mr. JOHN LENDERYOU. In the early part of April last, enough occurred to induce Mr. Lenderyou, to commence an action against the bankrupt for crim. Con. With his wife, soon after which the partnership with his brother was dissolved. The action was tried at Bodmin, in August last, and the jury gave Mr. Lenderyou and verdict with GBP350 damages. The bankrupt some weeks prior to this discontinued his business at Truro, transferred his stock to his brother, and paid off all his trade debts, except GBP50 or GBP60. Messrs. BIAS and BARCLAY, of London, whose debt of GBP50 would not, in the course of trade, be due until February or March next, sued out this fiat, and Mr. Allen now availed himself of his protection to defeat the judgment obtained against him by Mr. Lenderyou, for whom Mr. STOGDON appeared to oppose, and he subjected the bankrupt to a very rigid examination. In reply to these questions, the bankrupt said :- He carried on business in partnership with his brother George at Falmouth, from October or November 1843, until last June, when the approaching trial at Bodmin was one of the reasons for the dissolution. George undertook to pay all the debts. The partnership was insolvent by about GBP700, and in consideration of a balance owning to him George undertook his share of that loss. The balance George owed him was about GBP200, being the amount of money [less?] drawn out of the concern than George had. His brother was very competent to conduct the business, but was sometimes poorly; when not ill, he regularly attended the counting house and kept the books. Stock was taken in January, 1850, and the balance against the firm was then GBP300 or GBP400. About the end of 1850 he (bankrupt) determined to start a business at Truro, which was ten miles from Falmouth; took no house there, but went over in the morning and back in the evening sleeping there occasionally. Some of the stock of G. and R. ALLEN was sent over to Truro, to open the business with; the business at Truro was his own; he had GBP400 lent him by a friend in London, a Mr. CHASSEREAU; first GBP195 on an acceptance, which Mr. Chassereau's son drew by mistake upon the firm of G. and R. ALLEN, and then GBP200, for which he drew on Mr. Chassereau himself. He signed the GBP195 bill, G. and R. Allen because it was so drawn. All the money went into the bank. The business at Truro was shut up in April last, and the stock was removed to his brother's cellars at Falmouth, some in April, some in May, and the last of it in July. The spirit stock was removed in July, an account of which had been entered in the waste book. As to his present position, he was at his brother's mercy; he was George's servant, selling George's goods; they became his goods in July; they were put to his debit, and he remitted sums on his (Bankrupt's) account. His brother advised Chassereau's acceptance. Had drawn cheques since the dissolution, as his brother's agent. His debts, which had been paid off, had been paid by him under his own hand. After the dissolution there was an alteration in the banking account. Signed cheques by procuration after that. In addition to GBP254, other sums, amounting to GBP200 or GBP300, were paid into his brother's cash box, and by him paid away to creditors. Generally rode over to Truro and back on horseback. Stayed there all night sometimes at the Red Lion Hotel, kept by Mr. Lenderyou. In April some unpleasantness occurred, and Mr. Lenderyou commenced an action, which was tried at Bodmin in August and a verdict, with GBP350 damages, and costs, was given against the bankrupt. The costs amounted to GBP215, for which he had been held to bail. Had sworn positively that he had never had at any time, criminal intercourse with MARY ANN LENDERYOU and adhered to that affidavit now. Might have written the advice for Mr. Chassereau's bill in September and his brother taken it to the bank. Now owed GBP1,200 and estimated his assets at GBP50 or GBP60. The debt of Messrs. BIAS and BARCLAY was for wine. The only other trade debt was STEPHEN GREEN GBP33. 6s. 9d. for jars. Chassereau and the other creditors were paid by his brother at his (bankrupt's) request. Went to London in October and requested Bias and Barclay to make him a bankrupt. Was aware that no steps could be taken by Mr. Lenderyou on the verdict he had obtained, until November. No creditor was pressing him, except the plaintiff in the action. Bottles, jars, stock, and everything were transferred to George Allen at Falmouth. Green's account for the jars was not yet sent in. His mother was a creditor for GBP398 on a bond, which he gave her, on entering the brewery, because she was liable to pay an annuity of GBP40 to the widow of his brother William, who had previously been in partnership with George. The trade debts were only GBP50 or GBP60. Three-fourths of the goods had of Bias and Barclay were transferred to his brother. His mother lived in Falmouth and his wife and children lived with her; she kept house and he paid her for their board. Mr. Stogdon submitted that his Honor ought to refuse the bankrupt any further protection. If he had been in custody under Mr. Lenderyou's judgment his Honor would have had no power to release him; because among the excepted offences of the 112th section, was the identical offence of which he had been convicted by the verdict of a jury. There was no estate; the whole was a dishonest proceeding; it was a mere cloak, a sham to avoid the penalties which the law wisely imposed on men, who, like the bankrupt, trifled with the feelings of others, and he hoped his Honor would withdraw protection from a person who ought not any longer to enjoy liberty. His Honor thought the way in which the matter ought to come before him, was by a petition from the creditor to annul the fiat. He would grant protection until Friday, when his Honor stated that (without hearing Mr. G. W. TURNER, the bankrupt's advocate) he was of opinion that the bankrupt was certainly entitled to protection until the last day for surrender, and that, if taken into custody in the meantime, he would obtain his discharge without even an endorsement on the committal. There were several cases in point and they were all uniform. It was arranged that the petition for annulling should be considered on Wednesday next, the bankrupt being at liberty to call witnesses to support the fiat.