WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER 26 SEPTEMBER 1856 . ADVERTISEMENTS . JOHN HOSKING, Stove and oven Manufacturer, Machinist, &c, Redruth, HAS now ON SALE a large quantity of new and second-hand STOVES, REGISTERS, CHAFF MACHINES, &c, &c, on most reasonable terms. Redruth, September 16, 1856 . ..... MARY TREGELLES and SON, Furnishing Ironmongers, Truro, have just received their NEW STOCK of Moderator Lamps for the season. They have also made a large and most advantageous purchase of the finest Foreign Colza oil, which they offer on favourable terms. N.B. - Sperm, Seal, and other Oils, Palmer's Candles, &c. . ...... NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That I, JAMES TYACK, of Trevecca Cottages, will not be answerable for any Debt or Debts that my wife, ROSINA TYACK, may contract after this notice. Signed, JAMES TYACK Trevecca Cottages, Liskeard, September 20, 1856 . ...... I, JOHN OPIE, of Illogan, in the county of Cornwall, do hereby give Public Notice, that I will not be responsible for any Debt my wife, MARY OPIE, (formerly Mary Carter), may contract after this public notice. Signed, JOHN OPIE Dated September 24th, 1856 ...... I, JOHN BAWDEN, of Penponds, near Camborne, hereby give notice that I will not be answerable for any Debts my Wife, ELIZABETH JANE BAWDEN, may contract after this date. Signed, JOHN BAWDEN, Jun. Dated Camborne, September 17, 1856 . ..... COUNTY COURT OF DEVONSHIRE, EXETER . JOHN TYRREL, Esq., judge of the County Court of Devonshire and Exeter, authorised to act under a petition of insolvency bearing date of Nineteenth day of February, 1856, presented by COPLESTON CROSS, gentleman, late of Duryard, in the parish of Saint David, in the county of the city of Exeter, and of Trevethan, in the parish of Saint Eval, in the county of Cornwall, but now of Cowley Bridge, in the said parish of Saint David, and formerly also of Milverton Court, in the county of Somerset, will sit of the Fourteenth day of October next, at Ten o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, at the Castle, at Exeter, aforesaid, in order to make a dividend of the Estate and Effects of the said insolvent; when and where the creditors, who have not already proved their debts, are to come prepared to prove the same, or they will be excluded the benefit of the said dividend; and all claims not then proved will be disallowed. . JOHN DAW. Clerk 16 September, 1856 ...... . WRECK OF THE SCREW STEAMER "ZEBRA" OFF THE LIZARD . An inquiry ordered by the Board of Trade, was held on Monday, in St. George's Hall, Liverpool, before Mr. J. S. MANSFIELD, and Captain SCHOMBERG, to ascertain the causes which led to the wreck of the "Zebra" (screw-steamer) bound from Havre to Liverpool. Mr. TINDAL appeared to conduct the inquiry on the part of the Board of Trade, Mr. ASPINWALL appeared for the Captain; and Mr. BATESON watched the case on behalf of the Owners. . WILLIAM ELLIOT BETTS, captain of the screw-steamer "Zebra", belonging to Messrs. MacIver and Co., and trading between Liverpool and Havre: On the 21st July last the "Zebra" left Havre, about one p.m., with 24 passengers and 39 officers and crew, for Liverpool. At about two o'clock the following morning saw the Start, which I had previously seen about twelve. At two o'clock it was N.E. by E., five or six leagues, the weather then being quite clear although it had previously been foggy at intervals. Witness left the deck at three, and was again on deck at four, soon after which he left the deck in charge of the chief officer, with orders that he (witness) should be called in case of seeing the Lizard, or if the weather should become foggy. . Witness was called at six as the Lizard land was seen on the starboard bow; at this time it was becoming foggy. Witness immediately went out, and saw land from the quarter deck, which he considered to be the Black Head, and the land to the westward to be the Lizard. Took the bearing of the Black Head by compass; it was N.N.E. ½ E., and estimated the distance at about twelve miles. After taking the bearings, marked the ship's position by those on the chart, and shaped a course N.W. ¾ N., clear of the Lizard near Land's End. Witness remained on deck, and finding that the fog was rising, altered the course a point more to the westward. After this, the fog becoming very dense, witness went to the engine room and ordered the engineer on watch to proceed at half speed, and to stand by the engines, to stop at a moment's warning, if necessary. . About half an hour after altering the course, on looking over the starboard side, witness saw something white having the appearance of land, and immediately called to the man at the wheel to put the helm hard a starboard, and heard the first officer give the same order at the same instant. Almost immediately after the vessel struck. . Witness then considered it best to lose no time in landing the passengers, and launched the boats, putting the women and children in first. So soon as witness saw them safely landed he returned to the vessel, and commenced removing the luggage, stores, and cargo. Shortly after the vessel fell over. . Witness considered the accident to have occurred in consequence of the ship not having held her course after making the Start. This might have arisen from the action of a current, or from the peculiar haze causing them wrongly to estimate the distance. . By MR. ASPINAL - Witness has been at sea for twenty years, ten of which he has been a master. Had been a master of a steamer for twelve months past in April last. Has been principally engaged in the North American service, by the same company which owned the Zebra. Since he had been in the Zebra he had been chiefly engaged in the transport service in the Black Sea. . The fog on the occasion referred to was a singular one, lifting and falling. At the time the vessel struck, witness considered they were fully ten miles off the Black Head, which, if correct, would have given ample room for passing the Lizard land. The witness underwent a long examination by Captain SCHOMBERG upon minute points relative to the deviation of the compass, the propriety of using the lead, and other technical details of seamanship. . ALLEN KENNEDY, chief mate of the Zebra was the next witness called. He was examined at considerable length by Mr. TINDAL, but the main features of his evidence were merely confirmative of that given by the proceeding[sic] witness. . By Captain SCHOMBERG - Witness kept watch from eight to twelve and during that time the vessels course was N.W. 1/2W., and was distant from the Start, as far as witness could judge, about eighteen or nineteen miles. Witness did not hear an order given to ease the engines, nor did he perceive that they were so at the time land was first seen, and the captain was called. When we first saw the Start light it was a clear night, and from the experience which witness had had, should say it was eighteen or nineteen miles off. . WENTWORTH COLE, the third officer of the "Zebra" was next called, and, in answer to Mr. TINDAL, he said he was perfectly sure the ship's course was N.W. 3/4N., after the captain was called up, and this was continued for two hours. This was afterwards changed considerably more to the northward of N.W. The ship answered her helm when the order was given "hard a starboard." The engines were not reversed, as the vessel bilged at once. The captain remained by the wheel. . GEORGE BENTHMAN, the helmsman at the time the vessel struck, was called, and examined by Mr. TINDAL. The course he got from the man he relieved was N.W. ¾ N., and this was shortly after altered by the captain's order to N.W. ¼ W. The ship struck heavily stern on; she struck twice. . WILLIAM PATERSON, the engineer in charge of the "Zebra" from four till eight of the morning of the accident, was next called He said - shortly before the accident he got orders to go at half speed, and set the engines to that by half shutting the throttle valves. The alarm bell was rung after this to stop, but the sound was not out of the bell when the vessel struck. Should think it was about five minutes after the order for half speed was given that the vessel struck. . JOHN G. WICKMAN, captain of the steamship "Niagara," was called, and said he had commanded a screw-steamer in the Liverpool and Havre trade for three years. He had observed that a current set in towards the Black Head in the flood tide, when the wind was southerly. In foggy or thick weather it would be impossible to see this, and a stranger might readily be deceived in regard to it. He had himself been sometimes led into a suspicion by it that his compasses had deviated. When he had seen the head lights he never considered it requisite to use the lead, and should not under the circumstances have directed the lead to be thrown. . MR. MANSFIELD said Captain Schomberg and himself should take time to consider the subject in all its bearings, and, after having done so, would deliver their judgment. . LOCAL INTELLIGENCE . TOWEDNACK FAIR - This fair on Tuesday last, as usual, was well supplied with both sheep and cattle, some of which were of first rate quality, and sold briskly. The pleasure fair also was well attended. The ordinary was served up in the usual good style of MRS. DUNSTAN, at which a greater number of farmers and butchers sat down and enjoyed themselves. . BUDE FAIR - The fair on Monday last was not so full as is usual, owing to the very heavy rain and wind during the morning and the whole of the day. Sales were rather dull and prices rather lower. There was a good sprinkling of holiday folks in spite of wind and weather. . CONCERTS - The morning and evening concerts at Penzance on the 19th instant, were numerously attended, and highly appreciated. In the morning the chaste rendering of Haydn's "Hymn to the Emperor," was especially applauded. Miss HANSFORD's fine delivery of the beautiful aria "With Verdure Clad," was much admired; and Miss LASCELLES, who has greatly improved, and is likely to become one of the first of English contralto singers, sang to perfection in Handel's charming duet, "O lovely peace." . The instrumental performers, Mr. BLAGROVE and Herr HAUSMANN, were equal to what we reported of them in the concert at Truro. Mr. Blagrove's pure tone and superior bowing on the violin, and Herr Hausmann's masterly performance on the violoncello were extremely admired. Mr. WYNN, baritone, has a good voice, and sang with considerable taste and feeling. These artistes were ably assisted by Mr. NUNN and Mr. HEMMINGS, of Penzance. At Falmouth on Friday evening, the concert was held at the Royal Hotel, and was fully attended. The performances gave equal satisfaction with those at Penzance; and Miss Lascelles was especially applauded for the charming manner in which she sung Donizetti's "Il Segreto." . PILCHARD FISHERY - At Mevagissey the seans are all put out of pay; the fish have drawn off, and there is at present no prospect of more catches. The fish have all been sold to Messrs. G.C. and R.W. FOX and Co, of Falmouth. Drift, at 42s.6d; scans, at 47s.yd. per load. It has been a successful season at Mevagissey, there being about 4,000 hogsheads of fish in the town. . EMBEZZELMENT - On Friday last, a person named LARK, of St. Austell, was charged before Mr. E. COODE, jun., with embezzling money from his employer, Mr. HITCHINS, merchant, of St. Austell, and was committed for trial, but bail was accepted for his appearance, himself in GBP 20 and two sureties in GBP 10 each. . TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, before the Mayor and Mr. PADDON, JOHN STEPHENS, brushmaker, was charged with assaulting police-constable GEORGE PAPPIN, whilst in the execution of his duty. . [On Saturday night last, Mr. RICHARD SPARKS, innkeeper, West Bridge, sent to the police-station for a constable, and in consequence, Pappin was despatched. According to the landlord's statement, Stephens was drunk, and while in the taproom insulted and challenged other persons to fight. The landlord attempted to eject him, when he delivered a severe blow to the landlord's face. On the arrival of the policeman, Stephens was in the street, surrounded by a number of people. The landlord told him he would not give him into custody if he would go away, but Stephens refused to do so, and when the constable tried to take him into custody, Stephens commenced striking and kicking the policeman, and his wife, CATHERINE STEPHENS, came up, and also struck and kicked Pappin. . However, the latter obtained assistance from the station, and from bystanders; both Stephens and his wife were secured, and with some trouble conveyed to the station. The man would not walk, and the police had to carry him. The assault being proved, Stephens was fined 5s. and costs; his wife, not having been in custody before, was discharged with a caution. . WM. PENNALIGGON, a carrier, was fined 5s. And costs for assaulting police-constable GEORGE VINCENT whilst in the execution of his duty, about twelve o'clock on Saturday night last. WILLIAM MOUNTSTEVEN was charged with assaulting police-constable JOHN GAY, whilst in the execution of his duty. . Gay was assisting Vincent to convey Pennaliggon to the station when he dropped his lamp, which was taken up by Mountstevens, who refused to return it to the policeman. Gay took hold of him, upon which Mounsteven struck him a severe blow in the mouth. Fined 20s. and costs, or fourteen days hard labour. . WILLIAM LULLY, sawyer, for endeavouring to rescue Mountsteven from the custody of the policemen, and was fined 5s. and expenses; SAMUEL GROSE, labourer, was fined 5s. and costs, or a week's imprisonment, for the same offence. . The fines and expenses in each case were paid. The magistrates cautioned the whole of these parties, and told them that if they were again brought up for assaulting the police, they would be severely dealt with. . FALMOUTH POLICE - At the Town Hall on Friday last, before Mr. CARNE, Mayor, Mr. ELLIS, and Mr. R.R. BROAD, magistrates, three young men, RICHARD HOSKIN, WILLIAM FLETCHER, and THOMAS THOMAS, were summoned by MISS E. DOWNING, shopkeeper, who stated that on Sunday morning last about three o'clock, she was awakened by a noise, and saw that some of her shutters were taken down and carried away. ALFRED ROBERTS, who was one of the party, being summoned as a witness, stated that Hosken took down the shutters and threw one into the market house. It was evidently a "lark" after leaving the Duke of Kent Inn, and for their disorderly conduct, the young men were each fined 1s. and 7s. expenses, or one month's imprisonment. The fines were paid. . PENZANCE POLICE - At the Guildhall, on Saturday last, before Mr. D.P. LeGRICE and Mr. JOSEPH CARNE, magistrates, JOHN EDWARDS, of Madron, farmer, was charged with having violently assaulted HONOR HOCKIN, of Boswarthen, in Madron, for which he was fined GBP 5, or in default two month's imprisonment. The fine was paid. . DISCOVERY OF STOLEN PROPERTY - On Thursday the 19th instant, some children of Falmouth were in the neighbourhood of the Falmouth Union House, picking blackberries, when under a hedge in a field one of them discovered a milk cup, and showed it to some men, who were working in the field. The men went to the spot, and on searching, found a large spirit stand, toast rack, coffee biggin, sugar basin, and a candlestick. They informed their master, Mr. E. BULLMORE, of it, who immediately went with them to MR. JULYAN, superintendent of police at Falmouth, and the latter pronounced the articles to be the property of MRS. RYAN, whose house was robbed in May last, by the two BASSETTS. Some of the articles were scratched at the bottom to ascertain whether or not they were silver; and the thieves, finding they were not, hid them as not being worth carrying off. . About the same hour, some men who were pulling down a wall at the Friends' Burial Ground, near Budock church, discovered two bundles containing a quantity of plated articles, viz: two salvers, a large bread tray, a pair of carver rests, a large egg stand, with six egg cups, a pair of candlesticks, and an extinguisher. They brought the articles to Mr. SAMUEL TRESIDDER, their master, who immediately reported it to Mr. JULYAN, who found them to be the property of LIEUT. HILL, R.N., which had been stolen from that gentleman's residence, it is supposed by the same parties, and about the same time as the robbery of Mrs. Ryan's property took place. . FELONY BY A TRAMP - A fellow who gave his name as DAVID ROBERTS, and has been a sailor, a week or ten days since was seen lurking about houses in the neighbourhood of Redruth in a very suspicious manner. He was observed on Sunday week prowling about MR. TROUNCE's house at Bridge, with his shoes off. Late on Sunday night he returned to Redruth again, and brought a gun with him, which there was reason to believe he had stolen. After great resistance, he was apprehended by constable RODDA, and the gun turning out to belong to DAVID DAVIS, of Portreath, cabinet-maker, and being fully identified, he was committed to take his trial at the sessions. . HIGHWAY ROBBERY - On the 11th instant, as ROBERT ROBERTS, an old retired farmer, who resides at Cams-house, in the parish of Southhill, about a mile and a half from Callington, was returning to his home, SARAH DAWE, daughter of ANN DAWE, who keeps a beer-house in that town, followed him down Hay road, and took out his purse, containing one sovereign and three shillings. It appears that this old man, who is the father and grandfather of eighty children, had been drinking at Dawe's house, and that the money in question had been seen by Dawe and others. She was committed for trial. . FIRE - About eleven o'clock on Friday night, the inhabitants of Tolcarne, in the neighbourhood of Penzance, were alarmed by a cry of fire, which proceeded from the higher mill of MR. JOHN COULSON; but fortunately, through timely assistance of the neighbours, and a good supply of water, the damage occasioned was not of great amount. SHEEP STEALING - A man named JAMES PIPER,living at Saltash, was on Monday week committed to Bodmin gaol by Mr. TUCKER, Trematon Castle, on the charge of sheep stealing. A great many sheep have been stolen in the parish of St. Stephens lately, and in consequence a watch was kept by the farmers in the neighbourhood, which ended in the capture of Piper, on Saturday night, with a sheep in a bag (still warm) which he had stolen from MR. THOMAS BATTEN's field. Piper is a navvy working on the Cornwall railway, and has a wife and five children living at Saltash. From a subsequent account, it appears that Piper knocked down the contractor as he was conveying him to Bodmin. He struck him with the handcuffs, rendering him senseless, then took the key of the handcuffs from the contractor's pocket, unfastened them, and made his escape. . CORONER'S INQUEST - the following inquest has been held before Mr. JOHN CARLYON, County coroner: On Monday last, at North Country, Redruth, on the daughter of GEORGIANA GRAY, a little girl of about two months, whom the mother stated she found dead in her arms when she awoke on Saturday morning. The mother was a married woman, but her husband had been abroad for some years, and there were some suspicious circumstances connected with the case, which rendered it necessary to have a post mortem examination, when it was proved that the child died from inflammation of the lungs, and the jury returned a verdict to that effect, being satisfied that there was no ground for the reports which had been in circulation. . LETTERS TO THE EDITOR . THE LATE ROBBERY AT PENWARNE To the Editor of the West Briton Sir, - Observing a paragraph in the West Briton of the 5th instant respecting this robbery, and the names of the different constables therein said to be engaged in detecting the parties, I beg to say that the statement was incorrect, as will appear from the following facts, especially that part of it which states "that Inspector ARMITAGE of the West Cornwall Railway was the first on the spot, and with the others made the necessary arrangements, and all deserve great credit for their exertions." . The men CHADWICK and JENKYN, of Redruth, had been seen carrying a gun and a bundle and searching about in a stony croft in the neighbourhood of Stithians. The persons who first observed them thus engaged were two men named SPARGO and OPIE, and who it seems knew one of them. The men communicated with MR. JARRATT, the policeman at Penryn, who instructed them to keep a sharp look out, and to inform him of what they might notice, and they acted up to these instructions. JARATT was in communication with Mr. PETERS on the subject after the robbery, and when the property was discovered. . Late on the Tuesday evening following, Chadwick and Jenkyn were again in the neighbourhood, and very early the next morning, Opie went and informed Jarratt that he had seen the men searching about the croft, when he desired him to go back and search about the spot where Chadwick and Jenkyn had been, which he did in company with others, and seeing a large stone with the earth around it looking fresh, they were induced to remove the stone and found that beneath it was a pit in which were two bags containing plate, nearly the whole of which had been stolen. On making this discovery, one of the men went to Jarratt, the policeman at Penryn, but before he arrived there, the plate was taken to Penwarne by a constable of Stithians, named HOLMAN, who had required them to give up possession of the plate to him. . Jarratt then followed them to Penwarne, where he sorted out all the articles found, and replaced them into the bag in the presence of MR. and MRS. PETERS, and afterwards obtained a warrant for the apprehension of Chadwick and Jenkyn from MR. GENN, of Falmouth, but it being so late, he could not get a magistrate to sign it that evening. . The following morning, Jarratt's attendance was required before the Penryn magistrates on important business, and he then gave the warrant to Constable THOMAS, of Ponsanooth, to execute, which he succeeded in doing, and the parties were brought before the county magistrates at Penryn and finally committed. . It will appear, from the foregoing facts, that Inspector ARMITAGE had not the least idea where the plate was concealed, because he had not been in the neighbourhood from the time the robbery was committed until the Saturday when the prisoners were remanded at Penryn. How then could he be first on the spot to give instructions, and what did he do to unravel the mystery? But the fact is, he apprehended two innocent men, and left them in the hands of two constables, MERRIFIELD and EDWARDS, to do the best they could with them, and they were kept handcuffed for twelve hours. . Had it not been that Mr. Jarratt had instructed OLIVE and SPARGO to keep a sharp lookout, the matter would in all probability up to this time have remained a mystery. . I hope you will find a corner for this, in justice to the parties concerned. X.Y. Penryn, 16th September, 1856 [Transcriber's note - "Opie" and "Olive" were both given as one of the 2 men alerting Jarratt]