ST. AUSTELL PETTY SESSIONS - These sessions were held in the Town Hall, on Tuesday last, before Mr. E. COODE, jun., Mr. THOMAS HEXT, and Mr. LAKES, county magistrates, when the following cases were disposed of. THOMAS HOOPER was fined 10s. and costs, for assaulting a policeman while in the execution of his duty. WILLIAM WILLINGTON was fined 5s. and costs, for obstructing the turnpike road at the east end of St. Austell. It appeared he had about four tons of clay besides the waggon, and the horses were unable to draw it. CAROLINE THOMAS, a girl 15 years of age, was charged under the Juvenile Offenders’ act with stealing some monies from MRS. BIDDICK, but the magistrates dismissed the case. There were some poor rate appeals which were adjourned to the next petty sessions, in consequence of the parties not having given a written notice. . STEALING CORN - On Monday last, a man named JOHN BUTLER, living as a servant with Mr. S.P. TROUNCE, farmer, at Bridge, near Redruth, was apprehended for stealing three gallons of corn, the property of his master. Also a man named FRANCIS CURNOW was taken into custody for receiving the same knowing it to have been stolen. They were taken before Mr. REYNOLDS, of Trevenson, and each committed to take his trial at the next quarter sessions at Bodmin. They were admitted to bail. . ACCIDENT TO THE HON. and REV. J.T. BOSCAWEN - We regret to hear that as the Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen, who is on a visit to Mr. AUGUSTUS SMITH, M.P., at Tresco, Scilly, was out shooting one day last week, he accidentally fell forward, and a fern-stump inflicted serious injury to one of his eyes, the sight of which is considered in danger. . MINE ACCIDENT - At North Crofty, on Saturday last, a miner named BENNETTS was in the act of tamping up a hole in  rock, when the powder caught fire and burnt his face and eyes, though it is hoped he will not lose his sight. . GUN ACCIDENT - At Camborne, on Saturday last, a lad named WILLS, about 13 years of age, got possession of the barrel of a gun, tied it to a pick-hilt, and loaded it with powder. He set fire to the powder, and the barrel burst and severely cut the lad’s head and face. It was at first thought that an artery was cut, and that dangerous consequences would ensue, but it was afterwards found that the wounds were confined to cuts in the sides of the face, and the lad is slowly recovering. . HUNTING APPOINTMENTS - The F.B.H. (Mr. W. WILLIAMS) will meet on Tuesday, at Pelean Cross; and on Friday, at Killigrew Hill; each day at half-past ten. . The Western Subscription Foxhounds (Penzance) will meet on Tuesday next, at the Coach and Horses; and on Friday, at Bullview, Madron; each day at half-past ten. . The Carnanton Harriers (Mr. BRYDGES WILLYAMS’s) will meet on Saturday the 6th inst., at Royaltown Mill; and on Tuesday the 9th, at White Cross; each day at half-past ten. . Mr. TRELAWNY’s Hounds will meet on Tuesday next, at the Buller’s Arms, at Dean; and on Saturday the 13th, at Cadover Bridge; each day at half-past ten. . EAST CORNWALL STEAM BREWERY . Mr. DANIEL VENNING, of Liskeard, conceiving that a good brewery was required for the population of East Cornwall, determined, about two years ago, on establishing one at Liskeard. To render it as complete as possible, he made an outlay of about GBP 3,000, and in order to secure all the recent improvements in the art of brewing, he visited most of the great breweries in the kingdom, and what he saw worthy of note he has introduced into his establishment. The building is a fine one, and covers an area of 4,000 superficial feet, while its capabilities for brewing are said to be equal to any concern in Devon. The whole of the operations are conducted with the aid of steam, and the contrivances are so simple that one steam engine, of twelve horse power, is all that is employed. The architect was Mr. H. RICE of Liskeard, and the engineers, Messrs. WILLOUGHBY, of Plymouth. . On Monday last, the building being completed and in operation, Mr. Venning, in the most liberal manner, invited the greater portion of the respectable inhabitants of the town to dine with him, and, at three o’clock, about 250 persons sat down to dinner in the capacious brewery, under the presidency of Mr. BERNARD ANSTIS, the vice chair being occupied by Mr. CHRISTOPHER CHILDS. The brewery was decorated with flags and evergreens, and a gallery was erected for the accommodation of the ladies. A band was also engaged, and performed select music during the dinner. . Among those present were the Rev. SAMUEL BEAL, Chaplain of H.M.S. “Royal Albert,” the Rev. Dr. BEAL, Norfolk, Mr. THOMAS HOOD, son of the poet of that name, Messrs. JOHN KEMPTHORNE, W. SPRY, J. JAGO, A. GLUBB, J. COOD, M. LOAM, P. BUSH, J. SOBEY, R. TAYLOR, H. CAUNTER, and the Rev. J. R. P. BERKELEY, of St. Cleer. . After dinner the usual loyal toasts were duly honoured, followed by the toast of "Ministers of all denominations," with which the chairman coupled the names of the Rev. Mr. Berkeley and Dr. Beal. . Mr. BERKELEY returned thanks, and said he thought it was much to the credit of Liskeard that so many of the inhabitants should be called upon to assemble in a building like this, not erected from the funds of a joint stock company, but by the enterprise and energy of one individual - and that individual deserved to receive from them not only their thanks, but also the highest respect for the public spirit he had manifested. He trusted such success as Mr. Venning merited would follow him in his course through life. (Hear, hear.) . The Rev. Dr. Beal also responded. . The toast of "The Army and Navy" was next given by the Chairman, and acknowledged by the Rev. Mr. Beal. The Chairman then proposed "The Health of Mr. GREY" the member for Liskeard, without reference to party opinions, and he was sure the toast would be drunk with the greatest cordiality. (cheers) . The toast was briefly acknowledged by the Vice-Chairman, after which the Chairman proposed “The Health of Mr. and Mrs. Venning.” He said, the Rev. Mr. Berkeley had justly remarked that the new building had been erected without combination, and brought to a successful termination, and he did not know of any instance in the borough where a single individual had undertaken a work of such magnitude. (The toast was drunk with three times three.) . Mr. Venning, after some humorous remarks, said whatever people might think of the matter, the enterprise he had been engaged in was a great one for an individual, but he knew before he embarked in it what it would cost him. He had built the brewery with the object of supplying good beer to the county, and he hoped that object would be fully carried out. He recollected some time since that some of his friends endeavoured to persuade him to take shares in the Cornwall Railway – that extraordinary affair – (loud laughter) – but he told them that before the Cornwall Railway was ready he should have something prepared to put on the line. (hear) In the erection of the building he had been fortunate in many respects, and especially in Mr. RICE, the architect, a man who he considered was an honour to any town. (hear, hear, and cheers) . The gentlemen who had supplied the ironwork were also well known, being no other than Messrs. WILLOUGHBY, of Plymouth, and no matter what "creakers" might say, the whole of the machinery had exceeded his most sanguine expectation. He thanked them kindly for the manner in which Mrs. Venning’s health had been drunk, and said he should be happy to meet all those present on another occasion – (hear, and laughter). "Success to the Brewery" was then drunk. . The Rev. Dr. Beal proposed "The Health of the Chairman and Vice Chairman." (Loud cheers) Both gentlemen returned thanks, and Mr. CHILDS then gave “Success to the Trade and Commerce of Liskeard.” Referring to the Cornwall Line, he hoped to see it brought to a speedy completion, and he also expressed a wish that the day might not be far distant when Mr. Venning’s establishment would have obtained such a name, and consequently a great trade, that it would be necessary to have a short tramway to the railway station, which so closely adjoined this establishment. Liskeard was likely, when brought into communication with other towns by means of the railway, to become a place of some importance, especially when the line to Callington was completed. . Mr. KEAST acknowledged the toast, and the next given from the chair was “Success to agriculture.” . Mr. R. TAYLOR, in responding, took the opportunity of congratulating Mr. Venning on the successful completion of his building, and said it was a credit to the town. Agriculture was the support of trade and commerce, and unless Liskeard was surrounded by an agricultural district he did not think a brewery on so large a scale as that recently constructed there would be remunerative. (Cheers.) . Several other toasts followed, including “The Mining interest;” “The Mayor and Corporation”, responded to by Mr. J. Jago; “The Cornwall Railway,” by Mr. Bush, &c.; after which the company separated, having spent a most agreeable day. . DEVON . MINE ACCIDENT -PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY In consequence of the indication of the presence of iron ore in a field on the estate of Mr. MATTHEWS, about a quarter of a mile north of the Brent station, on the South Devon Railway, an attempt has recently been made to open a mine, for the purpose of testing the value of the mineral. Mr. ARTHUR, a Welsh gentleman, residing at Newton, is the venture, and Mr. LETHBRIDGE is called the “captain”. It is said that he cautioned the men on Monday morning of the dangerous manner in which they were proceeding. A cutting against the hill had brought them down 20 feet below the surface. The perpendicular sides of friable earth and occasional heavy stones were rendered yet more dangerous by deposits on the surface, and there was no timber for shoring. Shortly before five o’clock in the afternoon, four men, OLIVER, ROWLAND, HOSKIN, and COLEMAN, were digging, and were joined in the trench by the barrowman, SOPER, and by LELEY, who went down to light his pipe, when the banks fell on the ! six. The only persons in the field besides were two lads, one of whom is a cripple; the other (PETHERICK) was providentially the means of saving the lives of these poor fellows. He ran immediately for Brent, when all the villagers hastened out. Oliver, Rowland, and Soper were speedily rescued; the others were unfortunately buried a second time by another fall of earth. Their head and faces were soon cleared, but they suffered much from the great pressure, and through being entangled among the barrows and tools. Hoskin was not drawn out until half-past eight o’clock; his leg is broken, and he has received internal injuries; the blood ran from his mouth for a long time previously. Leley was relieved at half-past nine; he is bruised, but no bones are broken. Coleman was not rescued until ten o’clock; he has received some internal injury. The nearest surgeon, Mr. PHILLIPS, of Buckfastleigh, was in attendance. Mr. MAXWELL, superintendent, and the county police were very active, ! and the conduct of Mr. OLDREY, who resides near, is described ! as havin g been most humane. . THE GRAVES IN ST. COLUMB MAJOR CHURCHYARD - LETTER TO THE EDITOR Sir - As an old inhabitant of Saint Columb, I am, of course, interested in that spot in our parish in which are deposited the remains of our departed fathers, and in common with every well-disposed person in this parish, I desire to see that spot kept sacred and free from the intrusions of the wicked and the idle; and I admit that this very desirable object is one of sufficient importance to induce our Rev. Curate to suggest some means by which any unbecoming or indecent use of the churchyard may be prevented. But as the rev. gentleman and Mr. F. DAVIS, the master of the Church school, are utter strangers here, I do not expect that either of them can have that peculiar interest in our burial ground which attaches itself to those who regard that place as containing the remains of deceased relatives; and so I can only account for the sweeping measure which our Curate has entered upon, without first consulting the inclinations of the parishioners, and even, as I believe, in opp! osition to one of our churchwardens. . I am moreover surprised that Mr. F. Davis, who has only been in this town a few weeks, and thus can know nothing of the people here, should take upon himself to style and designate in so uncharitable a manner the persons of the town and parish, who formed the meeting to take into consideration the very extraordinary doings which were taking place in the churchyard. . In the face of his statements contained in the Cornwall Gazette, of the 29th ultimo," I say extraordinary doings; and if I am surprised of his illiberal attack upon our meeting, I must add that it is with pain I find him misrepresenting the consequences of the reckless three feet diggings in the graveyard. In support of this, my assertion, it so happens that an adjourned meeting of the parishioners was held on Tuesday, the 26th ult., for the purpose of further considering the subject, and large and respectable as that meeting was, consisting of both Churchmen and Dissenters, it was resolved by an overwhelming majority “that this meeting has witnessed with regret the proceedings of the Curate in the churchyard, and requests he will at once restore it to its former condition." . Mr. Davis affirms that only eight boxes containing still-born children had been interfered with; but Mr. JAMES BENNY, a respectable and credible person of this town, has declared that he had seen at least one comparatively large coffin exposed to view at an early hour of the day, and, upon a subsequent visit, he found that it had been dislodged and removed; and I know that several other persons have witnessed this and similar exposures. . Mr. Davis, unkindly enough, refers to some persons who had seen in the churchyard some bones which had been recently exhumed, by observing that they could not decide whether one bone was a "rib, a finger, or a bull’s foot." His last expression unfortunately suggests to me that at any rate he has a strong respect for a papal bull, for only a few weeks since, by his taste, an extraordinary scene presented itself in our streets in the fact, amongst other odd things, that a decorated cross was carried before the coffin of his late wife in the funeral procession; the rev. Curate taking part in such procession. . I am sorry if it pains him that I notice this; I do it not to convey the idea that he is the subject of religious frenzy, but merely to show to the public the tone of religious feeling which is possessed by their informant of last week; and I must say upon the subject of his affirmation that “our Curates only follow Puseyism by strictly adhering to the Book of Common Prayer,” that I do not find any order in that Book imposing a ceremony of the description referred to, in the burial service. . I find, however, that he is the Master of our Church school, selected by the Curate of this parish; and having shown what are his notions, I merely say of our rev. Curate, “noscitur ex soelis;” of if the Spanish proverb is as agreeable to him as is the Spanish religion, then I say, “Tell me what company a man keeps, and then I will tell him who and what he is.” But let us put aside proverbs, and come to the reasonable suggestion that the people of St. Columb do not exactly appreciate the undertakings of strangers in their astounding innovations. Mr. Davis and our Curate may mean no harm in their grave-destroying tastes. We have a congenial interest in our churchyard, and accordingly, as strangers are in the act of razing this sacred spot, we cry out with the frogs in the fable, “all this may be pleasing enough to you, but in mercy desist, for you give us pain;” and a pain which is intolerable under the domination of book, bell, and candle. . I am, your obedient servant, W.H. NORTHY St. Columb, Nov. 1st, 1858 *The same letter appears in our 6th page this week. [transcriber’s note: I did not find any such letter on page 6 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