Very little news this week. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. Friday, 20th August, 1858 METHODIST FREE CHURCH - On Monday a public tea meeting was held at the parade-street Chapel, Penzance, being designed as a farewell meeting with the circuit minister, the Rev. THOS. ELLERY, who removes from Penzance to Bradford in Yorkshire. Upon the removal of the trays addresses were delivered by the chairman, Mr. W. H. RODD, Mr. W. ROD, Mr. JOHN RICHARDS, Mrs. DEAN, and Mr. ELLERY, the choir at intervals performing some pieces of sacred music. At the close Mr. Ellery was presented with a purse of money, as a mark of the church's esteem. Mr. Ellery will be succeeded by the Rev. JOHN HIRST, of the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, who has been, by the recent assembly of the body, appointed to the Penzance circuit. THE LATE MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT TO THE REV. T. S. WOOD - Our readers will recollect the painful circumstances under which the Rev. T. S. WOOD, Wesleyan minister came to his death. He left a widow and eight children, not only to mourn the loss of their dearest earthly friend, but deprived of that support which a husband and father previously supplied. This deprivation has fallen with peculiar severity in the present instance. As the assistance afforded to the widows of Wesleyan ministers, from the connexional funds, is regulated by the term of their ministerial service, Mr. Wood not having completed the 20th year of his itinerancy at the time of his death, the annual sum which Mrs. Wood is entitled to receive will be insufficient to provide adequate support for so large a family. The Methodists of Devonport (in which circuit Mr. Wood was stationed) have commenced a subscription in aid of the family, and it being known that many in Camborne (where Mr. Wood laboured with much acceptance up to the Conference of 1857) felt desirous of uniting in this benevolent object, Messrs. GEORGE SMITH and MARK PEARSE have announced their readiness to receive and forward any subscriptions with which they may be favoured from Camborne or elsewhere. The case is one which commends itself to the public generally, and we trust that Christians of all denominations, mindful of the heroism shewn by Mrs. Wood at her husband's dying bed, will respond liberally to the invitation. THE CORNWALL LIBRARY - The Rev. FRANCIS CHARLES HINGESTON, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford, has recently forwarded to the Cornwall Library, through Mrs. HEARD and SONS, booksellers, a copy of each of the works recently edited by him for Her Majesty's Government, viz. "The Chronicle of England, by JOHN CAPGRAVE," and the "Liber de Illustribus Henricis," by the same author. Mr. Hingeston has also presented to this library a copy of his Translation of the latter work, recently published by the Messrs. Longman. All the books are very handsomely printed on large paper, half-bound in the Roxburgh style, and illustrated by engravings and beautiful facsimiles of portions of the ancient manuscripts. We are glad to find a Cornishman whose duties now call him to a distance from the county, thus doing his best to encourage the public institutions of his native town. SUBSCRIPTIONS BY Mr. GURNEY, M.P. - Mr. S. GURNEY has sent various sums as subscriptions to societies and schools at Penryn and Falmouth; amounting in the whole, to Penryn, GBP32, and to Falmouth GBP44; besides which he subscribes GBP5 to the Cornwall Sailors' Home, GBP2 to the Polytechnic Society, and GBP1 to the society for teaching the blind. Mr. Gurney also subscribes to the regatta and the cricket club at Falmouth. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS - Among the successful candidates at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, on Friday the 13th instant, we observe the name of Mr. THOMAS SLEEMAN REED, late pupil of Mr. J. J. A. BULLOCKE, M.D., surgeon, &c., Constantine, in this county. WRESTLING - At St. Stephens by St. Austell, wrestling was commenced on Tuesday the 10th instant, at a short distance from the church-town. Some few opulent miners from the "gold diggings" in Australia, natives of Cornwall, and who contributed liberally towards the prizes, were present, and manifested considerable interest in the proceedings. After a sharp contest, and some excellent play, the first day's prizes were won as follows:- First prize of GBP1. 10s. by WILLIAM TREGLOWN, Sticker, near St. Austell; second, GBP1 by THOMAS BULLOCK; third, 10s. by JOSEPH CUNDY, both of St. Stephens by St. Austell. On Tuesday, although a large concourse of people were present they did not exceed the number of spectators that were on the ground on Wednesday, when thirty-two standards were made. The arrangements of the committee were considered to be fair. Not a single accident occurred; tolerably good temper was manifested on the part of the players, and very few disputes arose. The second day's prizes were awarded as follows:- WILLIAM YELLAND first, GBP1. 10s.; THOMAS WAKEHAM second, GBP1; WILLIAM SNELL third, 10s., all of St. Stephens. It is said that better order and play at a wrestling match have never been witnessed in the parish. LONGEVITY - A Correspondent states that within a mile around St. Agnes Church Town, there are fifty persons, 25 of whom will average 82 years, and 25 - 74 3/4 , 35 being females and 15 men. GOLD FOUND BY CORNISHMEN - A letter received in Penzance on Tuesday last, states as follows, dated Belfast, Victoria, Australia, 11th June, 1858:- "Per Electric Telegraph, yesterday, we received here information from Ballarat of the largest find of gold yet made, a small lump weighing 224 1/2 lbs., worth from GBP11,000 to GBP12,000, by 22 Cornishmen." Some accounts say 24, others 22 Cornishmen, but particulars of this extraordinary "find" may be seen under the head "Australia." JOSIAH GLASSON, formerly engineer to the Serpentine Works, Penzance, is one of the lucky lot. AGE REAPERS - Three persons, whose united ages amounted to upwards of 215 years, reaped several acres of wheat last week, in a field hear Helford. EXTRAORDINARY WHEAT PRODUCE - Mr. WILLIAM C. MENHINICK, of Nancor, near Grampound, whilst visiting the Exhibition of 1851 noticed an unusually fine sample of Austrian wheat and requested the favour of a few grains. He brought to Wadebridge about 100 grains, which he that year dibbled in, in one square yard of ground. This produced, in 1852, two gallons, this in 1853, was again dibbled in, in about a quarter of an acre, and produced 80 gallons; this produced in 1854, 50 bushels. This ratio would give 50 acres (customary) in 8155, 500 in 1856, 5,000 in 1857, and 50,000 in 1858, or more than the whole of the sowing of the County of Cornwall in one year. The quality of this wheat is superior to any ever grown in that neighbourhood. The first prize at the Annual Farmers' Club has always been awarded to it, and it is now known as "The Exhibition Wheat." CATCHING SNAKES - At the southern extremity of the parish of Duloe, on the banks of the Tregarrick rivulet, stands an old dilapidated cottage, which is inhabited by an ingenious man, named JAGO, formerly of the Cornish Rangers. About the middle of June last, whilst engaged in an outhouse, situated near to that end of his dwelling which contains the fire-place, Jago observed a large snake enter a hole in the building. Knowing the walls to be thoroughly riddled by rates, he became anxious lest the snake should find its way to the interior, and therefore resolved to trap it. After considering on several plans, it occurred to him, that if he were to place a common rat gin with its jaws transversely set, opposite to the hole, it might answer his purpose. He soon discovered, however, that the intruder, by measuring its length over both the jaws at the same time, was, on the closing of the trap, lifted clear off it, without injury. He consequently reversed the position of the gin, and by placing it longitudinally, so that the reptile would be compelled to traverse the plate, he caught, in the space of a few days, seventeen large snakes, some of which measured four feet in length. There is little doubt that these reptiles had quitted their favourite haunts in the neighbourhood, (the extensive coppice woods of Coldrinnick) for the purpose of depositing their eggs in a congenial place for hatching, which the warmth of the wall presented. Another instance of this propensity in the snake to make the habitation of man subservient to its purposes, used to occur annually at the old farm-house of Colvase, in the parish of Morval, during the occupation of Mr. OLIVER; whose family at a certain season of the year were constantly annoyed with the presence of these loathsome creatures, by their wiggling forth from their temporary resort (the wood corner) to sport on the kitchen floor. TRURO POLICE - On Saturday, before Mr. CHAPPEL and Mr. E. MICHELL, WILLIAM CHARLES SIMMONS, of Pydar-street, was charged with assaulting and beating EDWARD TANK. The complainant is an industrial teacher at the Truro Union-house, and rendered some assistance to the police when the disturbance took place at the recent wrestling match. Simmons has since frequently accosted him in the streets in an offensive manner. On the evening of the 11th instant, Simmons met Tank in Kenwyn-street, and asked if he was not a policeman, and said, "you are the fellow that struck me down in the wrestling field." He then struck Tank a violent blow on the mouth, causing it to bleed, and loosening some of his teeth. Simmons was severely reprimanded by the magistrates and fined 20s. and costs; in default of payment he was committed to the house of correction for one calendar month. On Monday, before Mr. E. MICHELL and Mr. CHAPPEL, THOS. BEHENNA, rope-maker, Pydar-street, was charged with having, on the 13th instant, assaulted GEORGE POLSUE, aged 13 years, son of Mr. POLSUE, also a rope-maker, in Pydar-street. The evidence was contradictory, but the magistrates felt satisfied that Behenna had used a stick on the boy's head; they allowed the summons to be withdrawn on payment of 5s. costs. PHILIP JAMES, a carter in the employ of Mr. WADE, spirit-merchant, was summoned by Mr. DREW, lessee of toll gates, for having on the 13th instant, passed through the Plint's barn gate with a cart without paying toll. He was fined in the mitigated penalty of 20s. and costs, the magistrates telling him that they had power to fine him to the extent of GBP10. Several boys were charged with disorderly conduct, and wilfully damaging a door in the house of Mr. MATTHEWS, St. Dominick-street. Most of the boys attended a ragged school, in Back-lane, and the mischief was done on Sunday afternoon by throwing stones at the door. One of the boys, called WILLIAMS, was fined 2s.6.; PENROSE was fined 2s., and the other five boys were fined 1s. each. On Wednesday last, before Mr CHAPPEL, ELIZABETH ANN STEVENS, of Redruth, who lives with a man called STODDERT, in Calenick-street, was summoned for threatening the life of MARY JANE PAINE, a girl about twelve years of age, daughter of CATHERINE PAINE, a girl about twelve years of age, daughter of CATHERINE PAINE, Calenick-street. The magistrate, after hearing the evidence, recommended the parties to settle the case; if they did not, he should bind over Stevens to keep the peace. Stevens promised that she would not threaten or insult the mother or daughter again, and the case adjourned for a week for defendant to pay costs. ASSAULT AT TRURO - On Monday last, before Mr. CHAPPEL and Mr. E. MICHELL, magistrates, JOHN POWELL, aged 21 of Idless, in the parish of Kenwyn, was charged with having committed an assault with intent, &c., on ANN WESTCOTT, single woman, aged 21. Evidence as given in the case by the young woman, by WILLIAM LANCE, shoemaker, JOHN GALE, railway contractor employed on the Cornwall Line, W. J. NASH, police superintendent, and Police constable GAY. The prosecutrix, Ann Westcott, has been for eight years a respectable, well-conducted servant with Mr. TRUSCOTT, of the Plume of Feathers beer-shop, Pydar-street; and Mr. John Gale, railway contractor and his wife (a daughter of Mr. Truscott) live in the same house. On Saturday night last, about seven o'clock, Mr Gale was suffering from tooth-ache, and sent the servant, Ann Westcott, to the Railway Inn, near the railway arch in Pydar-street, for some brandy. When she was leaving the inn with the brandy, she saw John Powell standing in the doorway. He made use of very course language to her, and then followed her to the railway arch, where he committed the alleged assault. She resisted as strongly as she could, upon which, she said, he struck her a blow on the head, and placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her calling for assistance. He also grasped her neck in the struggle, and it was severely scratched with his nails. On her screaming for help, William Lance came to her assistance, and Powell then ran away. Lance assisted her to the Plume of Feathers inn, where she arrived in a state of great excitement, and with her clothes much torn and disordered. She gave information to her master, Mr. Truscott, of what had occurred, and he at once accompanied her to the Railway Inn, where, amongst several other men, she identified young Powell as the man who has assaulted and ill-treated her. Mr. Truscott charged him with it, and he made no reply; Mr. Truscott the said, "I will send for a policeman and you shall be punished for this," and then Powell rose and went out of the house. Information was given, and the police constable NORTHEY went to the Railway Inn, but Powell was not to be found. On Sunday Mr. NASH went to the Plume of Feathers, and took the young woman's information, and on Monday morning a warrant was issued for the apprehension of Powell. Information was received that he was then at the Railway Inn, and police constable GAY proceeded there and made inquiries, but he was not to be found. The policeman, however, having suspicion that he was on the premises, went into the back yard to search, and at length found him in an outhouse, covered over with straw and faggot-wood. He was taken before Mr. Chappell and Mr. E. Michell on the same day, and remanded till Tuesday, when he was committed for trial. He was subsequently admitted to bail, himself in GBP50 and two sureties in GBP100 each, to appear at the next quarter sessions. ST. AUSTELL POLICE - On Monday last, JAMES MITCHELL, was charged before Mr. E. COODE, jun., and Mr. LAKES, county magistrates, with assaulting Police Inspector BARNES, for which offence he was sentenced to one month's hard labour. On Tuesday, a farm servant belonging to Mr. RICHARD JULYAN, of St. Ewe, named JOHN ROWE, was charged before Mr. Lakes, with leaving his master's service without giving him notice, and was committed for 14 days to hard labour. PENZANCE PETTY SESSIONS - On Monday last, before the Mayor, Mr. W. D. MATHEWS, the justice, and Mr. J. BATTEN, JOHN ROGERS, of Sancreed, was fined 5s. and costs for riding furiously through the streets. JOHN CARE, of Towednack, was fined 5s. and costs for allowing his cart to remain in the street. JOHN BARRYMAN, coachman to Mr. E. BOLITHO, complained of an assault on the 10th ult. by THOMAS LADNER, of Madron, labourer, JOSEPH COCK, shoemaker, of Penzance, and JOHN BODILLY, of Penzance, baker. Berryman alleged that Cock and Bodilly struck him, but it was proved the Berryman's conduct was very outrageous, and the magistrates dismissed the case. (Both Berryman and Barryman spelling used in this article.) TREGONY PETTY SESSION - At these sessions held at Ruan Highlanes, on the 9th instant, WILLIAM NICHOLLS, innkeeper, Probus, was fined 10s. and costs for keeping his house open for the sale of beer at 4 p.m. on Sunday the 13th of June. ROBERT SMITH, innkeeper, St. Mawes, was fined 2s. 6d. and 12s. 8d. costs for selling beer to some sailors just landed from a vessel in the harbour, at half past eleven a.m. on Sunday the 11th July last. CHARLES COX, of Tregony, was fined 5s. for being drunk and disorderly on the 17th of July. JAMES CROWLE, of Probus, labourer, was fined 5s. for a similar offence, on the 5th ult., and in default of payment, each was sentenced to be place in the stocks for six hours. STABBING HORSES - Two brothers, named THOMAS and RICHARD JAMES, of the parish of Perranzabuloe, were apprehended on Thursday, the 12th inst., by Police-constable CLOGG, 140, of Perranzabuloe, and Sergeant STRIPLING, of St. Agnes, on a charge of cutting and stabbing horses. They were committed by Mr. PETER, of Chiverton, county magistrate, to take their trial at the next quarter sessions, at Bodmin. Great praise is due to Sergeant Stripling as well as to Police-constable Clogg, for their very vigilant, strenuous, and energetic efforts in the apprehension of these persons, as some considerable time had elapsed between the perpetration of the crime and the apprehension of the offenders. ALARMING FIRE AT MEVAGISSEY - On Monday last, about noon, smoke was observed to issue from a loft occupied by Messrs. JAGO, for the purpose of storing their seine. The attention of several persons was called to it, and an alarm made, but in a very short space of time, a portion of the roof, along with another loft adjoining it, belonging to Messrs. WILLIAM and BENJAMIN ROBERTS, coopers, used for storing pilchard casks, and which at the time contained 185; and also the roof and upper story of the King's Arms Inn, burst into flames. The last mentioned house is connected with Messrs. Jago's loft by the loft belonging to Messrs. Roberts, which stood between. As may be imagined, the greatest alarm soon prevailed. The fire being so fierce, and no engine nearer than St. Austell, it was considered impossible to subdue the flames. A very large number of men soon assembled with ladders and buckets, when Mr. Benjamin Roberts, (the owner of the greater part of the property) promptly ordered one of his houses to be pulled down so as to stop the fire from spreading, and also to enable them better to get at the strongest part of the fire in his loft, which was situated in a back court and very difficult to access. When that was done, ladders were placed against the houses on each side of the fire, and men mounted on the roofs and poured an immense quantity of water on it from all sides, so that in an hour it was got under, and subdued. Immediately on its being discovered, the policeman left on horseback for the engine at St. Austell, which arrived at Mevagissey very quickly, but before it came the fire was quite subdued. Very providentially the tide was in, and the fishermen were not out, and the houses being situated very close to the water, caused the fire to be arrested when it was. Too great praise cannot be given to the fishermen, sailors, and inhabitants generally for the great exertions made by all, and the great daring evinced by many who mounted the roofs of the adjoining houses, quite close to the flames, in order to throw the water in. By these exertions the fire was stayed, and prevented spreading; otherwise the consequences would have been most alarming, the houses being so close together and the streets so narrow. Altogether five dwelling-houses are burnt and destroyed, along with Messrs. Roberts's loft, and a portion of the roof of Messrs. Jago's loft. The only accident was a man getting a rather severe cut on his hand. It is hoped this event will lead to a fire-engine being established in the town; there is a large amount of property insured in different offices, who would doubtless very willingly contribute towards it. DEATH FROM DRINKING COLD WATER - On the 10th instant, MARY WILLIAMS TREMAIN, aged nineteen years, died at Tregoning, in the parish of Newlyn East. During the day. Deceased was engaged in the harvest field taking out the corn after the reapers. It was a very hot day; and about two p.m., under the influence of a burning sun, and feeling very thirsty, she drank two or three cups of cold water, from the effects of which she became very ill, and without uttering a word from the time she was first taken, died about midnight in convulsions; another fatal instant of the effects of cold water upon a heated system. FATAL MINE ACCIDENT - As a young man named HANCOCK was descending the engine shaft in Great Wheal Busy Mine, on Tuesday last, a stone fell from above and struck him on the head, killing him on the spot. INQUEST - An inquest was held on the 12th, before Mr. PENDER, coroner for Falmouth, and a respectable jury, on the body of PHILIP JOSEPH SAMBELL, aged one year and nine months. He died on the Tuesday preceding. From the evidence adduced it appeared that the deceased had fallen over the quay and sustained such severe injuries as to cause his death. A verdict of "accidental death," from that cause, was returned. A BERLIN LETTER:- "The meeting between the Queen of England and the Princess Frederick William, her daughter, was very affecting. The Princess sprang into the railway carriage to her royal mother, and the two remained clasped in each other's arms for some time unable to speak."