WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER Friday, 19 September, 1856 . REDRUTH UNION . THE Guardians of this Union are desirous of contracting for the carriage of BREAD from the Union House to the several parishes of the Union, for the use of the out-door Poor; and also for the conveyance of all deceased Paupers from the Union house to their respective parishes. Tenders to be delivered at the Union Office, on or before Twelve o'clock at Noon, on Friday the 26th instant. . Further particulars may be known on application to the Master at the Union House or at the office of JOHN L. PETER, Clerk . Redruth Union Office, 5th September, 1856 . REDRUTH UNION . CONVEYANCE OF LUNATICS The Guardians of this Union are desirous of contracting for the CONVEYANCE of LUNATICS to, and DISCHARGED PATIENTS from, the Lunatic Asylum at Bodmin, including all expenses incident thereto. . The Contractor will be required in every case to act promptly on the orders of the Guardians, or their Officers, or, in their absence, of any Parish Officer; and . LOCAL INTELLIGENCE . WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL - On Sunday last, the anniversary sermons of this school at St. Austell, were preached in the chapel by the Rev. Mr. BROWN, of Mevagissey, when a collection was made towards the funds of the school. . The CUSTOMS - Mr John G. R. Anderson, principal coast officer at Arklow, Port of Dublin, has been appointed to the same office at Looe. NEW PATENT - In the weekly list of new patents we observe the name of Mr. R. W. VIVIAN, of Camborne, for an apparatus for economising the consumption of fuel. . ST. COLUMB CEMETERY - the first interment in this cemetery was that of a child named JOHN TIPPETT, and took place on Thursday the 11th instant. It is somewhat remarkable that since the 1st of August last, the time when the old church-yard of this parish was closed by order of the Secretary of State, and for more than a week previous to that time, this has been the only death in the parish, which has a population of three thousand; and we are informed that in the adjoining parish of Mawgan, out of a population of seven hundred and thirty-two, not a single death has occurred during the last five months. . PILCHARD FISHERY - At Mevagissey nothing has been done since last report by the seans. The drift boats had good catches during the latter part of last week, but few this week. It is supposed the fish had drawn off the shore. All parties are now very busy getting the fish ready for shipment. There is no prospect of fish at present at Porth, the drift boats are taking from one to three hundred per boat, the seans will stop to day. . SCHOONER LAUNCHED - On Wednesday last, there was launched from the building yard of Mr. John TREDWEN, jun., Padstow, a handsomely modelled schooner, of about 200 tons, named "Edith," JOHN CORY, master. . THE COLLISION IN THE CHANNEL - We are requested to insert the following, as being a more correct account of this unfortunate collision than has hitherto appeared: . The deposition of EDWARD HARVEY, of New Orleans, second mate of the ship "Ocean Home" of Brunswick, State of Maine, of the burthen of about 700 tons, three years old, coming from Rotterdam, laden with a general cargo, and bound to New York, under the command of Capt. ALFRED H. MERRYMAN, with seventy-seven passengers, men, women, and children, including Mr. MACKIE, of Cunard's line, a cabin passenger. The crew consisted of seventeen, including the captain, in all ninety-four persons on board. . "We sailed from Helvoetsluya on Monday, the 1st instant, and continued our voyage without any remarkable occurrences until the morning of the 5th instant, at three o'clock, when the Lizard bore N.N.W., distant fifteen miles, the wind a strong breeze, course W. by N., wind to the eastward of south. It was my watch below I was awoke by a loud crash, and, on hastening to the deck, found ourselves in collision with a ship much larger than ours. Our captain asked the captain of the other ship if he would heave too, and on our saying that we were sinking, the other promised to do so, and after reaching about a mile he did heave too. . As soon as the two ships had fallen clear of each other we began to get our boats out. The first boat that got clear was one of the quarter boats, with five or six persons on board; what became of them I do not know. I got into a larger boat, as did RODNEY E. SNOW, and JAMES MONAHAN, both seamen in my watch, and an emigrant who could not speak English, whose name I do not know. A heavy sea struck the ship and entangled the boat in the wreck, and before we could possibly get up alongside again, the ship sunk with all hands on board. . There was another boat, smaller than ours, on the house forward, but I do not think she could be got out in time. We had only one oar in our boat, and that was broken, so that we drifted to leeward; the boat having been stoved in getting her out, and so leaky that we had enough to do to prevent her sinking under us. The last that we saw of the other ship was that she was hove to close to the spot where we judged the wreck to be, about four or five miles to windward of us. . When I first got on deck I found our foremast gone, our port side cut down, and the ship settling down forward; I do not know what damage was done to the other ship, as the night was dark. I am of opinion that the other was an American ship. At about ten o'clock we saw a schooner to leeward of our boat, and in answer to our signal she reached towards us, and took us on board. She proved to be the "Martha," of and from Shoreham for Chester, Captain JONES. They treated us very kindly, ran in under the eastern land, and, with the assistance of some fishermen, we were landed at Mullion about half past twelve o'clock, where we were received and cared for by Mr. WILLIAM NICHOLAS, who brought me to Penzance, leaving the other three at Mullion." . The above is signed by the deponent, Edward Harvey, and was sworn before Mr. RICHARD PEARCE, of Penzance, receiver of droits. . A WANDERING MINSTREL - We have received several communications from this and the adjoining county, on the subject of a wandering minstrel having visited the west of England, and in nearly every case forgotten to settle his bills. It appears that in many instances he has employed printers and music-sellers to make the necessary arrangements for him, and has then left his engagements unfulfilled. . THE PROPOSED RACES AT CALLINGTON - The sporting gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood of Callington some time since obtained leave of MR. CORYTON, of Pentillie Castle, to hold races at Viverdon common, of which he is the high lord. A committee was appointed, the bill of racing printed, and circulars issued to different gentlemen. . The clergy of the neighbourhood, however, held a meeting, in consequence of which the Rev. GLANVILLE CORYTON waited on his brother to get him to withdraw his consent, and the following letter is the result, addressed to Mr. SPRY, Callington: . "Pentillie Castle August 22nd, 1856 Sir - Mr. SNELL applied to me a few days since to allow some races to take place on Viverdon, to which I gave my consent. Since which I have been waited upon by the clergymen of the parish, stating that on former occasions it had led to drunkenness and every other immorality. I have made enquiries and find such to be the case; consequently I feel myself bound to withdraw my permission, and shall feel obliged by your making it publicly known in Callington. I take the liberty of addressing you as your name was mentioned to me as having made the application. I am, your obedient servant, A. CORYTON." . SMUGGLING - On Monday last, at the Guildhall, Falmouth, before Mr. R. R. BROAD and MR. ELLIS, magistrates, WILLIAM PERRY, cook and steward of the "Mary Hill," was charged with smuggling four pounds of tobacco. He pleaded guilty, and the quantity being small he was fined GBP 1.17s, with 10s costs. The amount was paid. . CAUTION TO MILLERS - At the Guildhall, at Bodmin, on Friday the 12th instant, before Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY, mayor, and Messrs. J. WARD, and R. EDYVEAN, borough magistrates, WILLIAM LANDER, of the Berrycombe-mills, in that borough, was summoned to answer the charge of supplying CURNOW, a flour-seller of the town with flour adulterated with rice. The defendant pleaded not guilty. . Mrs. CURNOW was called, and proved that she had the flour of Lander, and admitted having sold it to RICHARD PASSMORE, the person who discovered something improper in the flour. Richard Passmore was called and proved that he purchased the flour at Mrs. Curnow's flour shop, that on going home he endeavoured to make some paste with it, but instead of thickening as usual it went very thin. In consequence of the general and very prevalent opinion which had got spread throughout the town that the millers were in the habit of supplying flour to the inhabitants adulterated, Passmore immediately took it to Mr. WILLIAMS, chemist, of Bodmin, who, on analysation, discovered that the flour was adulterated with a large quantity of rice; which opinion was proved by Mr. Williams, who attended before the magistrates. . Their worships, after consultation for a few minutes, considered the case clearly proved against Lander, and the Mayor, in addressing him, commented strongly on his conduct in deceiving his customers, as one of great magnitude falling heavily on the poorer classes. His worship remarked that the magistrates were of opinion that this practice had been carried on for some time, for they had ascertained that large quantities of rice had been sent and received by parties without any address being placed on it; but this being the first case brought before them against him, they had reduced the penalty to the mitigated sum of GBP 10 and costs. The Mayor remarked that should any case of this kind be brought before them again, they would inflict the utmost penalty of the law. . SHORT WEIGHT - On the same day, THOMAS THOMAS, grocer and flour-seller of Fore-street, Bodmin, was summoned to answer a complaint for having sold on Saturday, the 6th instant, a peck of flour 5lbs. short of the proper weight. The complainant, it appeared, was a customer of Thomas's, and had several times before found that his flour was from 3 lbs. to 5 lbs. short of weight, on his usual quantity of a peck. . On the night in question he went for his flour as usual, which was served him, and immediately went to the town scales, and on weighing it discovered it to be again 5 lbs. short of the weight of a peck of flour. He then returned with it to Mr Thomas's shop, and informed defendant of it, as also of his having discovered on former occasions his flour short of weight. On stating it to be his intention of bringing it to the notice of the public, Thomas made various offers of compromise, which were refused by the complainant, on the grounds of public justice, in putting a stop to such practices on the public by flour sellers. The case was clearly proved against Thomas, and he was fined GBP 3 and costs. . ST. AUSTELL POLICE - On Tuesday last, WILLIAM PHILLIPS, cooper, of St. Austell, was charged before Mr. E. COODE, jun., with beating his wife in a most shameful manner; but although the marks showed how he had treated her, she would not swear she stood in fear of him. He was therefore dismissed, with a caution that if brought up again, he would not be dealt with so leniently. . ST. COLUMBE POLICE - A fellow who gave his name as WILLIAM MAY was committed to the county gaol on Monday last, by Mr. H.P. RAWLINGS, for six weeks, as a rogue and vagabond, for violent conduct and indecent exposure in the streets on Sunday evening. The man was soon apprehended and secured by police constable COOMBS, when he found him to be a well-known begging-letter imposter. It is owing to the keen vigilance of this indefatigable officer, who is at all times "present and alert," that the inhabitants of St. Columb are so seldom annoyed by the visits of the vagrant tribes that infest the villages and towns in this neighbourhood. . FALMOUTH POLICE - On Monday last, before Mr. BROAD and Mr. ELLIS, magistrates, an adjourned case was heard, charging JANE TOMS, of the Duke of York Inn, with keeping a disorderly house. Mr. MOORMAN appeared for Mrs.Toms. Mr. T. BENNETTS, who was one of the complainants, stated that the house was a great nuisance and disturbance to the whole neighbourhood, in consequence of drunken and disorderly persons being therein at late hours, on the 8th and the morning of the 9th instant. There were also examined CADDY and ROBERTS, policemen, Messrs. JANE, PAINE, DREW, and BURNETT, who all corroborated the complainant, and although Mr. Moorman cross-examined the witnesses, and called two persons to make out his client a worthy and quietly disposed person keeping a creditable house, he failed to convince the magistrates, who therefore inflicted a fine of 20s., with costs 16s., which was paid. . INCENDIARY FIRE - On Thursday morning the 18th instant, about seven o'clock, a rick of hay, near Castle hill, Truro, was discovered to be on fire, and a boy named STUART, about eleven years of age, of Castle-street, Truro, was seen running away from the spot. He was apprehended by the police, and brought before the magistrates, when in consequence of the non-appearance of the owner of the hay, the case was remanded. The boy, however, acknowledged having set the hay on fire, for mere mischief sake, by means of a box of lucifers. The hay was the property of Mr. GREGSON, contractor, and was almost totally consumed. The value was about GBP 12. . CHEATING THE RAILWAY COMPANY - On Monday, before the Mayor of Penzance (Mr. W. BORLASE,) a miner of St. Agnes, named RODDA, was charged with riding in one of the West Cornwall Railway carriages without a ticket. On the arrival of that afternoon's train at Marazion, Rodda was found to have no ticket. He said he had only then entered the carriage, but it was found that he had got in at Scorrier. He was brought on to Penzance, surcharged in double the fare, and having no money was given into custody. In defence he now alleged that he was intoxicated at the time. Fined 7s.6d. and the costs; in default of payment to be imprisoned one week, but allowed a week to procure the money. CONCEALMENT OF BIRTH - On the 9th inst., a married woman named MARY DANIEL, whose husband has been in Australia for the last year and a half, was charged before Mr. E. COODE, jun., at St. Austell, with concealing the birth of a child, of which she had been delivered about a month since, and on whom an inquest had been held before Mr. HAMBLEY, county coroner, and a verdict of "found dead" returned. A report, however, having been circulated that the child had not been fairly dealt with, and evidence having been heard before Mr. Coode, she was committed to take her trial at the next assizes, for concealment of birth. Bail for the prisoner was accepted in the sum of GBP 50. COUNTY COURT - ST. AUSTELL - The monthly sitting was held on Thursday, the 11th instant, when there were fifty-seven cases entered, and there remained four cases adjourned from the previous court, but only twenty came on for hearing. In three cases, judgment was given by consent; the others were settled out of court. . BODMIN - the monthly sitting of this court was held at the Assize-hall, on Wednesday the 16th instant. The cases were either settled out of court, or did not hold any feature of public interest. . TRURO - at this court, held on Friday last, there were forty-three cases entered, and two adjourned from the previous court. Many of the cases were settled out of court, and none were of any public interest. . In the case of GEORGE CRICHTON v. JAMES BOWDEN, for recovery of GBP 4.3s.6d, and the same plaintiff v. JAMES TYRRELL, for recovery of 15s., it appeared that both defendants had been summoned only the day before the sitting of the court, plaintiff showing that defendants were both going abroad. The ordinary time of summons must be not less than ten days before the court is held, but a special provision of the act empowers this more summary process when defendants are known to be on the point of leaving the kingdom. In the above cases, an arrangement was come to on the part of Bowden; but in the case of Tyrrell, judgment was given for payment forthwith. An insolvent, ROBERT ADAMS, cabinet maker, Truro, received his final order. . FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT - A melancholy accident attended with fatal results, happened at St. Just in Penwith on the 9th inst. A boat called the "Dove," belonging to Priest's Cove, had been out all night, the crew (four in number) having been engaged in fishing. Whilst beating home with a stiff N.E. breeze the boat shipped a heavy sea, and the man who held the mainsail mistaking a warning given him by the steersman, or perhaps alarmed at the heavy waves, instead of letting go, grasped a firmer hold, and the boat went down bow foremost and has not been seen since. Two of the crew were picked up and put on board a sloop, but the other two - JOHN RICHARDS and GEORGE JENKYN - went down with the boat, and were never seen afterwards. The latter has left two children. . CORONER'S INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner - On Tuesday at Gwennap, on the body of HENRY ROWE, aged 32 years, who died on Monday morning from injuries he received on the 6th instant, by falling downstairs as he was going to bed. Verdict, "accidental death." . On the same day, at Newlyn, on the body of JAMES JONES, aged 53 years, who was killed on Monday in East Wheal Rose mine, by falling down from the 17-fathom level, to the 40 fathom level, in MITCHELLS engine shaft. The deceased was one of the pitmen, and was working by himself at the time on a stage-plank, making a set of stay wedges so that the cause of his falling could not be accounted for, but he fell with such force on the sollar doors on the 20-fathoms and 30-fathoms levels that he carried away the first with him and broke the boards (composed of 2 1/2-inch plank) of the second, and then fell down on the sollar at the 40-fathoms level, where he was found quite dead by the parties who went to his assistance. Verdict, "accidental death." . The following inquests have been held before Mr. HICHENS, county coroner; On the 12th instant, in the parish of Gunwalloe on the body of JOHN BROWN, aged 77 years, who died suddenly. Verdict, "natural death." . On the following day, in the parish of Illogan, on the body of ANNA MERRETT, aged 34 years, who died after having a fit. Verdict, "natural death." . On Wednesday last, in the parish of St. Just in Penwith, on the body of RICHARD BADCOCK, aged 18 years. The deceased was a labourer at Wheal Owles mine, in that parish, and whilst in attendance upon a carpenter of the name of HARVEY, who was employed in erecting a stamp, by some means lost his balance and reeling fell into the pit in which the fly wheel worked, and was so crushed thereby as to cause his death shortly after. Verdict, "accidental death." . An inquest was held on Thursday at the Edgcumbe Arms, Cremill, before Mr. JAGOE, coroner, on the body of Mr. THOMPSON, who, whilst riding on the previous day near the toll gate at Cremill, fell from his horse, and soon after expired. From the evidence adduced, it appears that the deceased gentleman was subject to faintness. Verdict, "accidental death." . ROYAL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY MEETING [partial report] [Judges in the school] department have been much disappointed to see - nothwithstanding their strong advice last year - that many of the best drawings exhibited bear evidence of a master's assistance. They are very sorry to be obliged to decline judging these works, from ignorance of what the pupil has actually done. From the good style of drawing taught them, and their faithful study of nature, the judges hope next year to be able to give many prizes to these competitors, who will then be able to produce works of which they, or their masters, can state that every stroke is their own. . The committee have been obliged, this year, to award several of their prizes to drawings which are merely copies, much as they wish to encourage pupils to draw from nature. Drawings on the coloured tablets have in no case received a prize; such false taste and want of truth in colouring should be in every way discouraged. . The four portraits that have gained the premiums deserve special commendation. The judges have been tied down to give only three prizes in each class of drawing, which has prevented their giving the many small premiums to encourage school children in their early attempts, which they would gladly have done. The judges in the school department would find their work much easier if they might be released from the rule to give only higher prizes to the same competitor than the year before. There are such a number of school children sending drawings, who deserve a little encouragement, but it is hard to pass them by. . The SECRETARY also read the list of prizes in Naval Architecture. (We shall publish the list of prizes in each department next week.) . Mr. HEARDER, of Plymouth, then gave a description of his electrical coil machine, with experiments. Mr. HUNT explained Bessemer's new process for the purification of iron; and the Rev. J. PUNNETT made a communication, showing that a near approach to the discovery of the new process was made at the Hayle Foundry two or three years ago. Mr. Hunt explained the new galvanographic process of Mr. Paul PRETSCH, of Vienna, illustrated with pictures obtained by that process. He also described the process of manufacturing the metal aluminium from clay, showing specimens of that metal. These, and other proceedings, we shall again refer to next wee. In the evening Mr. Hunt delivered a lecture "On the advance and advantages of scientific knowledge."