WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER 21 January 1859   transcribed by J. Mosman NOTICE THIS IS TO GIVE NOTICE, that I, Joseph GEORGE, of Trevarth, Gwennap, will not be answerable for any debts my wife, Grace George, may incur after this notice. Trevarth, January 17, 1859 ............................................. NOTICE All Persons Indebted to the late Mr. William BIDDICK, of St. Austell, are requested forthwith to pay to us, the undersigned, the amount due from them; and all Persons having Claims on the said William Biddick, are desired to furnish us with particulars of the same without delay. COODE, SHILSON, and Co. Solicitors to the Administrator St. Austell, 18th January 1859 ............................ NOTICE - All Persons Indebted to Mr. Reuben SEARLE, of Carbis Mills, Roche, are requested to pay the amount of their respective Debts to the Assignees of his Estate, Messrs. Thomas BRENT, of Trevolvus, St. Columb Major, farmer, and Mr. William Jane GEACH, also of St. Columb, Auctioneer, or to the undersigned, Solicitors to the Estate; and all Persons having any Claims on the said Reuben Searle, are desired to furnish particulars of the same forthwith, either to the above Assignees; or to  Messrs. BISHOP & WREFORD, Solicitors, Fowey Dated January 17, 1859 ............................ LOCAL INTELLIGENCE .............................. ST. AUSTELL LITERARY INSTITUTION - On Tuesday evening, a lecture was delivered in the Town-hall, St. Austell, “On the Social Condition of the Working Man,” by the Rev. S. C. CLARKE, of Launceston, when the room was crowded to excess. The chair was taken by Mr. Dinham SHILSON, and the lecutre was one of great interest. CALLINGTON LITERARY INSTITUTION - The musical entertainment given by the amateurs of Callington and neighbourhood, in aid of this institution, on the 6th inst., in Golding's Assembly Room, was fashionably and numerously attended. The various pieces were executed in a highly creditable manner, and drew forth the hearty plaudits of the assembly. Mr. HAMLIN, of Launceston, presided at the piano-forte. The overtures Lodoiska, and Caliph of Bagdad, by Messrs. PEARSE and DYMOND of Launceston, Mr. PEARSON, of Liskeard, and Mr. SATCHWELL, of Bodmin Land, were admirably performed. In the vocal part of the concert, Mr. PEARSON, Miss PEARSON, and Master PEARSON, Mr. PETER, Mr. YELLAND, Mr. KEMPTHORNE, and Mr. LADD were much applauded. Miss DYMOND played several of the accompaniments on the piano with much taste and execution. CLERICAL APPOINTMENTS - Rev. H. H. OLIVER, to the Assistant Curacy of Menheniot; Rev. R. F. TYACKE, to the curacy of St. Ives; Rev. Nicholas HALY, to the Assistant Curacy of St. Breock. ROYAL CORNWALL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY - A meeting of the council was held on Wednesday last, at the Red Lion Hotel, Truro, Mr. Richard DAVEY, M.P., in the chair. Mr. St. AUBYN, M.P., Mr. TREMAYNE, and about thirty of the council were present. After some discussion, it was resolved that the exhibition should take place on the 6th and 7th of June next, the first day to be devoted to the trial of agricultural implements. Numerous prizes will be offered for cattle, including Herefords, to  which no prizes have been hitherto offered by the society. There will also be prizes for steam thrashing and reaping machines. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the exhibition, consisting of Messrs. TRETHEWY, S. ANSTEY, G. BULLMORE, S. OLVER, James PAULL, and S. TRESAWNA. ROYAL CORNWALL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY - The twenty-sixth annual meeting of this society was held at the Polytechnic Hall, Falmouth, on Monday last, Sir Charles LEMON, Bart., in the chair. There were also present Mr. R. W. FOX, Mr. William CARNE, Mr. R. R. BROAD, Mr. D. BARCLAY, Mr. A. FOX, Mr. W.R.T. PENDER, Capt. BRADFIELD, Mr. FREEMAN, Rev. W. ROGERS, Mr. Richard WILLIAMS, Mr. BENNETTS, Mr. E.B. TWEEDY, Mr. Hender ROGERS, Mr. W. BULLMORE, and others. The report and treasurer's account were read by Mr. Sydney HODGES, the secretary, from which it appeared that the receipts for admission to the last exhibition were greater than on any previous occasion; GBP 412.10s.5d had been received during the year, the disbursements being GBP 383.14s.7d. There were however some accounts which had not been received in time for insertion, and the large amount paid in prizes this year precluded the possibility of setting aside any further sum towards the reduction of the loan on the building. T! he subject of letting the hall was discussed, when, in order to remove the difficulty and conscientious scruples of several active and working members of the committee, it was unanimously resolved to let the hall to a responsible party for twelve months, and a sub-committee was appointed to carry this arrangement into effect. The meeting was then occupied for some length of time discussing the subject of the education of miners; and the system of reporting engines, & c. PENZANCE CHORAL SOCIETY - The first concert of this society took place at the Assembly Room, Ball's Hotel, on Tuesday evening last. The society owes its existence to its highly talented conductor, Mr. J. H. NUNN, R.A.M., assisted by a committee of gentlemen headed by Mr. T. S. BOLITHO, and Mr. L. H. RODD. The Assembly room was fitted up for the occasion, the stage affording sitting room for 93 vocalists, and the audience was a crowded one. There  can be but one opinion upon the manner in which the choral singing, as a whole, was executed - a manner which, though not altogether finished, reflects the very highest credit not alone on the choir, for the general proficiency to which they have already attained, but especially upon their indefatigable conductor, Mr. Nunn, who, it is evident, from that very proficiency, must have expended a large amount of time, labour, and talent, to have produced from the voices such an amount of harmony. Amongst the vocalists we may mention Miss! Julia BOASE, the Misses BATTON and N. HOCKING, Miss BALL, Rev. P. HEDGELAND, and Mr. GUERITZ, Mr. W.C. HEMMINGS, Mrs. HEMMINGS, and Mr. PASCOE GRENFELL; whilst as instrumentalists, Mr. NUNN, Miss WINGFIELD, Miss PIDWELL, and Mr. and Mrs. Hemmings, highly distinguished themselves. We regret that want of space this week prevents us from noticing at greater length the first performance of this society, which bids fair, at present, to take the lead of all similar societies ever established in the county. FALMOUTH SUBSCRIPTION BALLS - The fourth and last of these fashionable entertainments took place on Wednesday, the 12th inst., at the Royal Hotel. The weather was unusually propitious, and the attendance much larger than on any of the former occasions. The arrangement of the committee were carefully carried out by Mr. VIVIAN, the spirited and obliging proprietor of the Royal Hotel, and the decorations throughout chastely and elegantly executed. Mr. EMIDY's Quadrille Band played during the evening a choice collection of dance music in their usually brilliant style, and seemed to have given entire satisfaction. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till an early hour in the morning, and every one must have felt grateful to Mr. Vivian for his successful efforts to contribute to their enjoyment. These balls having so perfectly succeeded, it is, we understand, intended that ere long a larger assembly of the votaries of Terpsichore shall again meet in the same place, from whom the! proprietor shall derive more tangible testimony of the general satisfaction which his efforts to please have given. Among those present we noticed – Ladies: Mrs. BARNARD, Mrs. BORLASE, Mrs. BALL, Mrs. M. V. BALL, Mrs. COOPE, Mrs. FENWICKE, Mrs. GRYLLS, Mrs. HODGES, Mrs. TRENTHAM, Mrs. E. TWEEDY, Miss ALMACK, Miss ARBUCKLE, Miss BULLY, Miss BULLMORE, Miss L. BULLMORE, Miss BOULDERSON, Miss COOPE, [more names cut off]. ST. JUST TRADESMEN'S CLUB - On the 6th instant, the annual meeting of this Club took place at Burton's Hotel. The funds were found to be in an excellent state, and between GBP 40 and GBP 50 was added to the balance in the Savings' Bank. After the usual business had been transacted, between sixty and seventy of the members dined together, Mr. N. HOLMAN (Treasurer) occupying the chair, and Mr. B. DAWRY, jun. (Secretary) the vice chair. FREEMASONRY - the brethren of the Phoenix Lodge of Honor and Prudence, No. 415, Truro, celebrated the annual festival of St. John at their rooms in Pydar-street, on Monday last. The lodge was tyled at noon,. Eleven P.M.s were present, including the W.M. and three P.M.'s of the Fortitude Lodge, Truro. Dr. Edward Trewbody CARLYON, S.W., was installed as the W.M. For the ensuing year. The W.M. invested the officers. Brothers MAYNE, Im. P.M. and treasurer; Thomas SOLOMON, S.W.; Robert BELL, J.W.; J. HAMILTON, by Br. William MICHELL, Sec.; Hannibal T. ELLIS, S.D.; W.H. CHRISTOE, J.D.; S. HARVEY, L.G.W. ROOKS, Tyler. The lodge was visited officially by the Prov. G. Secretary, Br. Reginald ROGERS. Upwards of thirty of the brethren afterwards dined at the Royal Hotel, under the presidency of the W.M. The dinner, wines, and desserts were in the best style of the establishment and comprised every delicacy of the season. The V.W., D.P.G.M., Br. Augustus SMITH, sent a present of game fo! r the occasion. The evening was spent with the utmost harmony, and frequent allusions were made to the very flourishing state of the lodge, it now numbering forty contributing members. EARLY LAMBING - At Carclew, since Christmas day, 150 lambs have been yeaned, and not one lost; all are at present doing well. The first lamb yeaned on Christmas day, and since then there have sometimes twenty of a night dropped. There are 173 ewes on the estate, and not one has been lost in lambing. This may be attributed to the mildness of the season, and to good management. FALMOUTH UNION - On Christmas day the inmates of this union were liberally regaled with roast beef, plum pudding, &c., and on Wednesday they were provided with a bountiful supply of tea and cake, &c. On this occasion the dining room had been tastefully decorated under the personal superintendence of Miss RICKARD, the schoolmistress, to whom much credit is due for the taste displayed. The expenses of the tea was met by subscriptions obtained through the exertions of the Rev. F. B. SCRIVENER, who, with Mr. David BARCLAY, Mr. R. W. FOX, the Misses A. M. and C. FOX, and several others were present at the tea. Every praise is due to the master and matron for the judicious arrangements made, and the desire they manifested to render the afternoon and evening agreeable to the inmates. Tea being over, one of the inmates read an address to Mr. Scrivener, in which they thanked him and the ladies and gentlemen by whose bounty they had been so plentifully regaled. They also said  "To yourself do we more especially desire to express our heartfelt gratitude for the unremitting constancy with which in sunshine and in storm, and also when deeply suffering from family bereavement, you have visited us; and for the untiring energy with which you have laboured for our spiritual well-being." The inmates remained in the hall for some time after the tea, and spent a very pleasant evening. Mr. Scrivener appears to be deservedly respected by the inmates; he takes a great interest in their welfare both temporal and spiritual, and regularly attends gratuitously at the workhouse every Sunday afternoon to perform Divine service. The number of inmates on Christmas day was 169; at the same period last year, 186; number of out-door poor at Christmas, 626; last year, 710. There have been 28 deaths and 12 births in the workhouse during the year 1858; 10 deaths were from 70 to 80 years of age, 4 from 80 to 90, and 4 upwards of 90. HELSTON FAIR - At this fair which was held on Tuesday, in consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather, little business was transacted. Prices were lower for bullocks of all descriptions. GRAMPOUND FAIR - At this fair held on Tuesday last, there was an average supply of bullocks, and a very dull sale at from 55s. to 60s. per cwt. There were few store cattle offered, and not many inquiries. Of sheep there was not a large supply, the selling prices from 6d. to 8 ½ d. per lb. The fair was slightly attended owing to the unfavourable weather. HELSTON - In the report of the temperance meeting at this place,which appeared in the West Briton of last week, the names of Messrs. Thomas WILLIAMS, John WILLEY, and Thomas JOHNS, as speakers on the occasion, were inadvertently omitted. GAS AT FALMOUTH - A correspondent writes as follows - "As a consumer of gas in the aforesaid borough I feel it due to the company supplying it here, to say that the animadversions in your last week's paper were quite uncalled for, and in fact untrue. In saying this, I give expression to the sentiments of great numbers of the gas consumers in this place, who would not like to be considered in sympathy with the writer of the article above alluded to." Our correspondent then enters into various explanations, &c., which we shall publish next week. COUNTY POLICE, FALMOUTH - At Mr. GENN's office, Falmouth, on Monday, before Mr. T. M. HORSFORD, Samuel SOUTHERD was fined 5s. and 4s.6d costs for being drunk and incapable of taking care of himself on Sunday the 9th instant; and on Wednesday, before the same magistrate, Mary PASCOE, of Constantine, was charged by police-constable WILLIAMS, with stealing a quantity of cabbage on the night of the 11th instant, from a field in Constantine, the property of James BOLITHO; fined 2s. and costs. DERELICT VESSEL - On Monday morning the "Maryanne," of Falmouth, a large bark, 700 tons burden, and heavily laden with lumber, was towed into Queenstown, by the "Resolute" and "Retriever," two of the tugs[?] of the Liverpool New Steaming Company. She had been found by the "Resolute" in long. 16 W, and lat. 4S 30 N, completely abandoned and water logged. The ship with which the “Resolute” thus fell in, with her cargo, is valued at between GBP 4,000 and GBP 5,000. FALMOUTH POLICE - On Wednesday, before Mr. J.B. MOORMAN, mayor, and Mr. ROGERS, magistrate, John WILSON, a seaman on board the brig "Commodore," of Sunderland, was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment for disobeying the orders of the master, Mr. George PARK. Captain LANG, of the barque "Mary Worrell," who has been committed on the previous Monday for trial at the assizes, for soliciting one of his crew to scuttle the vessel, was admitted to bail. (see article below) ROBBERY AT ST. AUSTELL - On Friday last, just as Mrs. GILES, the wife of Mr. P. GILES, printer, had left the shop, she heard a noise, and on coming out found a man leaning across the counter with his hand in the till, from which he had taken money to the amount of 23s. On seeing Mrs. Giles, he ran out of the shop, and Mrs. Giles pursued him, and gave him into custody, and on the following day he was taken before Mr. LAKES, and committed for trial at the next assizes; his name was Thomas WILLIAMS, of Barkshire.[Berkshire?] CHARGE OF SOLICITING TO SCUTTLE A SHIP At the Falmouth Guildhall, on Monday last, before Mr. J. B. MOORMAN, Mayor, and Mr. ROGERS, magistrate, George LONG, master of the barque “Mary Warrall,” was brought up under a warrant, charged with having, on the 25th day of December last, on the high seas, then and there being the master of the said barque, committed an indictable offense by unlawfully soliciting one James GOURLEY, being then and there an able seaman on board the same barque, to scuttle her in order that she might be cast away and destroyed. Mr. TILLY appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. GENN for the defence. JAMES GOURLEY deposed as follows:  I was late seaman on board the barque "Mary Warrall," George Lang, master. I recollect the 26th of December last, the ship was on the high seas. I was at the wheel between 10 and 12 at night; the master, George Lang, came to me, put his hand in his pocket, pulled out two gold watches and gave them to me. I took them; he then walked as far as the break of the poop, and came back again to me, put his hand in another coat pocket and pulled out a handful of sovereigns and told me he would give me 25, or double the amount, if I would scuttle the ship. He was then standing between the binnacle and the wheel, so that I could not see the compass. He told me that he owned one-eighth of the ship, and had GBP 700 worth of goods on board her besides; that the ship was well insured and he did not want her to get back. He told me to go forward and take the cook's axe, and take off the fore-scuttle and go to work on her side. The crew were then living in ! the after part of the vessel, having been driven out of the forecastle. He said there were no augurs on board, but what were in the carpenter's chest, but if he could get one he would furnish me with it. He told me that the ship was then mid-channel in the chops of the channel, and that we should be taken off by some vessel by day-light. I said to him, "no, go to your cabin,and turn in." He walked about for a little while and struck eight bells to relieve me from the wheel. I was in the second mate's watch. Mr. HUNTER, the second mate, went below and came up again, and about 15 or 20 minutes afterwards, and struck eight bells himself. Mr. PEARCE, the chief mate, then took charge of the deck. As soon as I was relieved from the wheel I went to Mr. Hunter and showed him the watches, and made a report to him. When I was talking to Mr. Hunter, the second mate, Captain Lang called me into the cabin and asked me for the watches, and I returned them to him. I then went on deck and made a report to the chief mate. We arrived in Falmouth the Wednesday before New Year's day; we were paid off on New Year's day and discharged, all but one man, and the cook and steward. I was then in debt to the ship; he gave me then a pound and gave up the debt. The captain was put in irons; the captain was drunk, but not so drunk as not to know what he was about. When the captain made the proposition to me, we were making for the first port, carrying a press of canvas, and driving the vessel through a heavy sea, which … the wetness of the forecastle. My opinion is that it was a deliberate offer to scuttle the vessel. Peter HUNTER, the late boatswain and acting second mate on board, deposed: I recollect on the 26th December last, at 8 o'clock in the evning, I relieved the chief mate and took carge of the deck. A little afterwards the captain came on deck the worse for liquor. He called me into the cabin; he opened a small locker and pulled out five gold watches and offered me two of them, which I refused. He asked me also to take the keys so that I could get his chronometer, as the ship was in a sinking state, and all hands would be relieved off her in the morning. He then put the watches in his pocket. I refused to take the keys of the chronometers;he said he would get some one to scuttle the ship, and he said "I will give you GBP 5, 10, or 30 to say nothing about it;the ship is well insured and I do not wish her to go back." The captain gave me a sovereign in the fore part of the evening. I told the captain I would not go again with him in the ship. James GARDENER and Charles PEARCE also gave similar evidence. After hearing Mr. Genn in answer to the charge, the defendant was cautioned by the Mayor in the usual form, and asked what he had to say, when he replied that he was not guilty. He was then committed to take his trial at the next Assizes at Bodmin, and the witnesses were bound in recognizances to give evidence at the Assizes. HOLSWORTHY COUNTY COURT - Important decision affecting Landlords and Tenants At this court, on the 14th instant, the following case was tried: James PARSONS v. Henry HEITLAND. Action for breach of contract, damages laid at GBP 45.4s.9d. Mr. FROST for the plaintiff stated the case. The plaintiff, on the 7th of March, 1856, took the Barton of Whitstone of the defendant for a term of 14 years, from Lady-day 1856, with the usual power to determine the term at the end of seven years on notice. A contract was prepared by the defendant's solicitor and signed by the plaintiff and defendant, but no lease was executed. At Lady-day, 1856, the plaintiff took possession of the estate, and then held it as a tenant from year to year subject to the conditions of the contract. By the contract the defendant agreed to do four things: 1st, to put the premises in repair on or before Lady-day 1856, and, [2nd] to plant the orchard; 3rd, to build a shed for the threshing-machine; 4th, not to permit his cattle, pigs, or poultry, to trespass on the premises so demised. On all those conditions the plaintiff said there had been a breach, to his great damage and annoyance. Although there was no lease, and the tenant in the eye of the law was tenant from year to year only, he cont! ended he had a right to call on his landlord to fulfil his part of the contract in the same manner as the landlord had a right to call on the tenant to pay him the rent due. The contract was mutual imposing obligations on landlord and tenant, and must have the same force as if a lease had been executed. He called as witnesses Mr. John HUXHAM, Mr. John WILLS, and Mr. Arscott SLEEMAN. Mr. WHITE, the advocate for the defendant, did not contend that the plaintiff had no claim for damages, but that the loss sustained by the plaintiff was greatly overrated. He called Mr. Joseph KITTOW, Mr. William VEAL, and Mr. Thomas COWLING as witnesses. The learned Judge said it was clear and admitted by the defendant's advocate, that the plaintiff had sustained damages, and the only thing for his consideration was as to the amount. The witnesses called by the plaintiff and the defendant did not differ very much, and he thought he could not err in giving his judgment for the amount claimed, GBP 45.4s.9d.; costs, GBP 9.2s.8d, both to be paid in a fortnight. FALMOUTH BURIAL BOARD - The usual monthly meeting of the burial board was held on the 4th instant, Mr. BRADFIELD, V.C., in the chair. The clerk reported that the number of interments during the month of December were 21, viz; in the consecrated portion, 6; unconsecrated portion (including one still-born child), 15. Designs for head and foot stones proposed to be erected were submitted and approved of. LONGEVITY - The registrar of births and deaths for Falmouth has registered during the past year 56 deaths above 70 years of age, viz: from 70 to 80 years of age, 33 deaths; 80 to 90, 16; 90 to 100, 6; above 100, 1 death. From 60 to 70 there were 27 deaths, and from 50 to 60 years of age, 15. STRATTON PETTY SESSIONS - At these sessions, held on Thursday the 6th instant, before the Revs. John GLANVILLE and R. R. WRIGHT, Mr. BRAY and Mr. GURNEY, magistrates, Mr. Thomas SHEPHERD, waywarden of the parish of Stratton, was summoned for not obeying an order of the bench, to alter and widen a certain road in the above parish. The case was adjourned for a month.  Charles MIDLAND and Edward MULES, farm servants, were summoned by Elizabeth Jane WATTS for committing an indecent assault on her. Complainant and defendants lived together as servants with Mr. MEDLAND, farmer, at Widemouth, in the parish of Poundstock, and the assault was committed during the absence of their master and mistress. Mr. KINGDON, solicitor, of Holsworthy, defended the prisoners, and attempted to show the bench that it was a mere Christmas gambol. The magistrates, however, considered a very serious assault had been committed, and the chairman remarked that it was the worst case that had been brought before them for years. Each prisoner was committed for four months to Bodmin gaol. William ELLICOTT and William JONES were summoned by the police, for riding in their waggons without reins, in the parish of Poundstock. They were fined 2s.9d, with 13s. costs, each. William COLWELL was summoned for trespassing on lands, the property of Sir William CALL, in the parish of North Tamerton; fined 5d. with 15s. costs. CORONER'S INQUESTS -  On Thursday afternoon, 13th inst., and inquest was held by Mr. J. CARLYON, at Bod..., in the parish of St. Erme, on the body of Charlotte ALLEN, aged 59 years, who was found drowned, in the pond at Bodrean, in the morning of that day. The deceased had been a cook in the service of Mr. H. P. ANDREW, about …...  It appeared that, from being of a cheerful disposition when she first came to Mr. Andrew's, she had, within the past few weeks, got into a gloomy state of mind, under the [belief] that she had not saved up sufficient for her old age, and that she should come to want; this was quite a delusion, as she was very well satisfied with her place, and all her fellow servants were very kind to her. Early in the morning of Thursday she dressed and went down stairs, and went out with a candle, saying she had occasion to go out for a few minutes, and not returning in the course of ten minutes, her fellow servants went in search of her, and after searching in ! various places, the man-servant found her in the pond, at the bottom of her master's garden. Mr. JULIAN, tenant of the Bodrean farm, was immediately called, and he, assisted by some of his men, and Mr. Andrew's servant, took the body out, and life was found to be extinct. Verdict, "Temporary insanity." Mr. HAMLEY, coroner, held an inquest on Saturday the 8th instant, at Condolden farm, in the parish of Minster, on the body of Priscilla HONEY, aged 54 years, deceased, who resided at the above farm with the rest of the family, was in her usual health on Thursday evening, and was sitting by the fire, when she was taken suddenly ill, and, before medical aid could be obtained, she expired. The jury returned a verdict "died from disease of the heart." 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