WEST BRITON and CORNWALL ADVERTISER 31 OCTOBER 1851 LOCAL INTELLIGENCE RE-OPENING OF PROBUS CHURCH - The restoration of this edifice had become a case of urgent necessity; and the work has been carried on and completed with much expedition during the incumbency of the present vicar, the Rev. R. W. BARNES. The re-opening took place on Tuesday last, when there were present nearly forty clergymen, the Archdeacon of Cornwall, the Earl of Falmouth, Mr. GWATKIN of Parc Behan, and a large number of the inhabitants of the parish and district. There were three services, - at eleven in the morning, three in the afternoon, and half-past six in the evening; and at each of these services six clergymen officiated. In the morning the prayers were intoned by the REV. E. SHUTTLEWORTH, vicar of Egloshayle; the first lesson was read by the Rev. R. W. BARNES, vicar of Probus; the Rev. JOHN ELLIS, curate, read the second lesson; the gospel was intoned by the REV. T. SOMERS COCKS, incumbent of Sheviock; and the sermon was preached by the REV. W. W. HARVEY, rector of Truro, from Psalm VLVIII, verses 12,13,14 - "Walk about Zion and go round about her; tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death." There was a full cathedral service on each occasion, and MR. HEMPEL, of Truro, presided at the organ, the choir consisting of the untied singers of St. Mary's and St. George's, Truro. After the morning service, the Communion was administered. In the afternoon, the REV. T. SOMERS COCKS intoned the service, and the REV. A. TATHAM preached the sermon; and in the evening, prayers were read by the REV. W. WOODWARD, of St. George's Truro, and a sermon delivered by the REV. F. WEBBER, of Merther. In the afternoon, about 120 labourers and their wives were provided with an excellent dinner in the new school-room, by the liberality of MR. HAWKINS, of Trewithen, and the REV. W. STACKHOUSE, of Trehane, and in the evening a party were regaled with tea in the vicarage, through the kindness of the REV. W. BARNES. The following is a short description of the church as at present restored. The repairs have been very extensive; the whole of the north wall is entirely new; five arches on the north and seven on the south separate the nave from the side aisles. The roofing of the church is of wood, that of the nave new. The west entrance has been improved. The chancel is divided from the rest of the church by a dwarf screen, which has been formed out of the carved panels of the ancient rood-screen. A Norman piscina stands in the south corner of the chancel, the shaft and foot of which are new. The communion table is covered with a superb cloth of crimson velvet, worked in colours and gold. The antependium is of green velvet worked in gold &c., with figures of three seraphim holding labels inscribed "Gloria in Excelsis." This beautiful embroidery is by MISS STREET, the sister of the architect. There are four finely painted windows in the church, one put in on Monday last, presented by the clergy of the district, in memory of the late REV. PREBENDARY LAMPEN, vicar of Probus. The pulpit and font are of carved stone, and were put in memorial of MR. STACKHOUSE. The Church is fitted with open seats throughout, stained to resemble oak, and will accommodate a congregation of about six hundred. A new school-room has been built, which will contain two hundred children. The cost of the renovation of the church, we are informed, is about GBP 1,500, and the school-room will cost GBP 400. The architect is MR. STREET, and the builders MESSRS. MAY, of Devonport. ... The repairs and restoration have been confined to the church, the tower remaining as before. The tower of Probus Church has long been considered as the finest structure of the kind in the county. It was probably erected about the middle of the sixteenth century, for, says the old historian Carew," it was builded within compasse of our remembrance, by the well-disposed inhabitants." The height of the tower to the battlements is 108 feet; it is surmounted by eight clustered pinnacles, five in each cluster, all adorned with crockets and finials; the upper story of the edifice is very rich and elegant. Probus appears to have been a very early ecclesiastical establishment. It is said that Edward the Confessor held the Collegiate Church here which was dedicated to St. Probus. He probably granted it to the Canons; at all events it was vested in them very soon after the Conquest, for in the Doomsday Survey the Church and rectorial estates are called Lan Probus, and are said to belong to a College of Canons which had been founded for a Dean and five prebendaries previously to the Conquest. In 1258 Walter Bronscombe, Bishop of Exeter, appointed Henry de Bollegh as Dean, who ten years after conveyed the perpetual patronage of the prebends to the Bishop of Exeter and his successors. As no more Deans are mentioned, it is probable that de Bollegh was the last appointed, for we learn from Lysons that in 1320 a market on Mondays, long since disused, was granted by Edward the Second to the Treasurer of the Cathedral of Exeter, to whom this Church was appropriated. There were five prebendaries at the Reformation, when the College was dissolved, to each of whom was assigned a pension amounting in the whole to GBP 16.9s.4d. .................. TRURO DISPENSARY - The annual meeting of this valuable charity was held on Monday last. It appeared by the report of the committee, that there had been nearly eight hundred applicants for relief during the past year. The treasurer's report showed a small balance in hand, and the meeting seemed fully satisfied with the continued increasing usefulness of the society. ..... WHEAL ALFRED SUNDAY SCHOOL - On Monday last, the teachers and children of the Wheal Alfred Sunday School took tea together in the chapel at that place. The tea was provided by the agents and workmen belonging to the Alfred Consols and Great Wheal Alfred mines. The REV. E. VIGIS, Wesleyan minister, Hayle, preached in the evening to a numerous congregation. .... ODD-FELLOWS - Monday last being the anniversary of the "Loyal Temple of Peace" Lodge, Truro, a large number of the brethren assembled in the Lodge-room, at the Red Lion Hotel; and after the election and installation of officers for the ensuing year, the brethren sat down to an excellent dinner provided by Brother LENDERYOU. After the removal of the cloth the usual loyal toasts were drunk, and the room was then opened to the admission of persons friendly to Odd-Fellowship. The evening was spent in the greatest enjoyment, being enlivened with some excellent glees by Messrs. JAMES FERRIS, C. BARRETT, COOK, and others. Solos were also sung by several of the brethren, and BROTHER LEVY performed on the flutins. The proceedings passed off with the utmost harmony of feeling; and the brethren did not forget to pass a vote of thanks to host Lenderyou for the excellent style in which he served the dinner. Mr. SPRY, surgeon of the Lodge, presided at the dinner-table, and Brother J. HAMILTON officiated as Vice. .... TRURO LADIES ASSOCIATION - The annual meeting of the Truro Ladies Association was held, when the chair was taken by Mr. PADDON, and resolutions were moved and seconded by the REV. E. TIPPETT, DR. COPE, MR. HOLLAND, MR. W. M. TWEEDY, REV. MR. HART, and MR. BAYNARD. The collection at the evening's meeting amounted to GBP 5.16s.8d. ... MR. KEEVIL'S PANORAMA, & c - Upwards of one thousand persons were assembled in the Polytechnic Hall, Falmouth, on Monday evening, to witness Mr. Keevil's demonstration of the stellar creation, and moving panorama of the heavens. The exhibition will be given in the Assembly Room, Truro, and will doubtless be very attractive. .... THE CUSTOMS - We understand that MR. BULL, comptroller of Penzance, has been appointed collector at Rye. .... OBSTRUCTION IN TRURO STREETS - On Monday evening last, an accident of a dangerous nature occurred in Pydar-street, Truro. A quantity of rubbish and building materials were placed outside the premises of MR. SIMMONS, where the street is extremely narrow. MR. TOM, of Rosedale, and his brother, were driving down the street in a dog-cart, having returned from a day's shooting; it was about eight o'clock in the evening, and being dark the rubbish outside the premises was not perceptible. They drove upon the heap, their dog-cart was upset, the horse thrown down, and themselves pitched out on the pavement, though happily without much injury. As soon as possible the horse was freed from the harness, but no sooner got on his legs than he dashed in amongst the crowd of people collected outside Wombwell's menagerie in the Cross, listening to the band. There were at least two thousand persons congregated, and it is surprising that none of them were seriously wounded or killed. Several were thrown down, and some received slight bruises, the horse pursuing his way with part of the harness about his legs, through the crowd, and by the Post Office down the Cross, before his flight could be arrested. Of course there was a great outcry amongst the people, particularly by the lady spectators, but the major part were fortunately more frightened than hurt. The occurrence shows the dangerous consequences which may ensue from those engaged in building, or other works in the town, leaving materials and rubbish about in the streets, occupying such a space as to impede the traffic. It was but last week that a load of gravel was placed in Prince's street, and Dr. PADDON coming home at night, his horse fell over it. At the entrance to Green street, where a pump is being sunk, there is now a mass of rubbish which has been complained of and is said to be a much larger obstruction than there need be during the alteration. Wherever there are obstructions which place in jeopardy the lives and limbs of passengers, the authorities should order their removal; far better will it be to show even a little strictness in this matter, than by remissness to involve the sacrifice of life. .... TRURO POLICE - On Monday evening last, JOHN FLYNN, jun., labourer, was apprehended for stealing a handkerchief from the pocket of RICHARD ROBINS, hatter, Calenick-street, Truro. Robins was standing amongst the crowd collected in the High-cross in front of Wombwell's menagerie, when he felt some person interfering with his pocket, and immediately he caught Flynn by the hand; but the latter managed to free himself and escape, and being pursued he threw the handkerchief away amongst the crowd. He was however retaken, and put into MR. RAINS's tailor shop in King-street, and the police sent for; but before either of the officers arrived, the prisoner assaulted Robins and again escaped. In the course of the evening he was apprehended by policeman FITZSIMMONS, and on Tuesday was taken before the Mayor, charged with the offence, and remanded till Thursday, when he was committed for trial at the next sessions. .... FIRE - On Saturday night last, a fire broke out in the mowhay of MR. THOMAS KNEEBONE, of Regennis, near Mousehole. On the inhabitants of the village being alarmed, and proceeding to the spot, five large stacks of corn were found to be on fire. Every effort was made to extinguish the flames, and an express was sent to Penzance for the engines. They were promptly on the spot, followed by hundreds of people, but there was little or no water to supply them and it was found impossible to subdue the fire, which was however prevented from igniting the valuable stacks and property adjacent. The value of the corn destroyed is GBP 100, and there is strong suspicion that the fire was caused by an incendiary. The stack-yard is surrounded by a wall of stone having only one entrance, and that on the eastern side. The fire commenced on the western side, which was also in the opposite direction of the wind; or, in sailors' phrase, to leeward. .... GOLD IN AUSTRALIA - The following has been received from a native of Cornwall, who has amassed a very considerable property by his intelligence, enterprise, and industry, in the country of his adoption: "Guyong, May 26th, 1851. My dear Parents - You will, doubtless, have heard, ere this comes to hand, that a discovery of an extensive gold field has very recently been made in this district, or rather in this immediate neighbourhood. The diggings, at present being worked, are about 18 or 20 miles from here, but gold has been found even on this estate - indeed it is found in almost every place it is sought. The papers which I shall regularly send you will give you all particulars of the discovery, progress and result of the diggings - the name of which is "Ophir." You can form no idea of the excitement that prevails; whilst the discovery is regarded by some as an inestimable blessing, others consider it the greatest calamity that could befall us, as it must involve thousands in ruin. Wages will be augmented to prices which no sheepholders can pay. Consumable articles, flour for instance, will soon realize famine price, and shepherds will be leaving their flocks - hence the result is easily seen. I may, however, remark that hereabouts we are not likely to suffer to the extent that the distant sheepholders are. Thousands are already flocking to the diggings - some will be unsuccessful, others will dislike the work, and hence we shall have a chance of getting labour. As we should drive the nail that will go, I am busily hitting one that goes well. I shall, with the greatest despatch, turn my wethers and a flock of ewes into cash. I shall send sixteen carcases to the diggings tomorrow. I soon expect to slaughter 100 sheep per week. My present price is 3d. per lb., but it is thought 6d. will soon be obtainable. I have, happily, wheat enough to yield 7 or 8 tons of flour, and I expect to sell it at GBP 80 per ton, at which price I have already sold some. One poor fellow found in one day, last week, gold worth GBP 420 - and he was so bewildered at his sudden luck, that he has been half fool ever since. Mr. TOMS, his sons, and party, eleven in all, found GBP 130 worth last Friday. It is estimated that, up to last night, there had been obtained by the diggers gold to the value of GBP 20,000. Half of Sydney and Paramatta will soon be up here; in fact, Bathurst is left a town of women and children. I have no doubt that in the course of three years the population of this part of Australia will be doubled. Mr. Hargraves, the discoverer of the diggings, tells me that he never saw any spot in California so rich as "Ophir", and it is expected that other diggings, equally productive, will soon be found. Tell Mr. STEPHENS, of Troon, that the best thing he can do for his sons is to send them to Australia. We have had a splendid autumn - grass is abundant. I had intended to shear upwards of 6,000 sheep this year, but shall now reduce them, probably, to 4,000. Wool! The thing is never mentioned. Nothing but gold can be tolerated. The discovery may contribute, perhaps, to my property, but by no means to my happiness. I have so long been accustomed to a tranquil monotonous life, that I dislike the bustle and excitement that prevails. I may not be able to write again for some time, but I shall send you the papers as stated above. Pardon all inaccuracies, and believe me, dear parents, your dutiful son, Richard Glasson." .... CORONERS' INQUESTS - On Wednesday an inquest was held in St. Ewe parish, before Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner, on the body of GEORGE TRUSCOTT,miner, aged twenty-one years, who was killed on Monday last by a stone falling down the shaft on his head whilst he was filling a kibble at the twenty fathoms level plat, in Polgooth mine. Verdict, accidental death. The following inquests have been held before Mr. HAMBLY, county coroner: October 23rd, at Callington, on SAMUEL DANIEL and WILLIAM AVER. They were miners and worked at the Callington mines. On the 21st they had prepared a hole for blasting in the Killebray part of the mine, and having put the safety fuse they ascended about thirty fathoms and remained on a platform until the explosion took place, soon after which Aver was about to go down to examine what effect had been produced, when he was advised not to do so until the smoke had passed away. He waited some time and then was let down in a kibble. He had not descended far before he called on the men who were letting him down to haul up; in doing so, he fell out of the kibble. A messenger went immediately to grass to say what had happened, leaving Daniel on the platform. He returned with others very shortly, and found Daniel missing. They then went to the bottom of the shaft and found both men lying dead. It was supposed that Daniel had gone to see for his comrade and that both had died from suffocation. The jury were of opinion that this was the case, and returned a verdict accordingly. They were both married, and have left families. At Warleggan, on the 24th instant, on FRANK WEARY. He was removing some mine materials in a waggon with six horses to the neighbourhood of Callington, and on going down a very steep hill about a mile from Liskeard, the neck chain of one of the horses slipped and in endeavouring to rectify it, he by some means fell and the wheel of the waggon went over him and killed him on the spot. Verdict, accidental death. 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