West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. Friday, 17th October, 1856. YOUNG MAN MISSING - The Reward of GBP50, with a reference to Mr. E. CODD, Superintendent of Police, Plymouth, Devon, has been withdrawn, and a reward of GBP10 only is now offered in lieu thereof. TO T. R. S. - If T. R. S. who left Plymouth on the 26th of July last will communicate (confidentially if desired,) with JOHN NEWMARCH, Esq., Peckham Rye, Surrey, he is in a position to make arrangements for his going abroad. NOTICE - Persons having any claim on the schooner "Mary Jane," of Newquay, are requested to send particulars thereof to Captain THOMAS CHAMPION, Newquay, near St. Columb, on or before the 31st instant, after which none will be admitted. Dated Newquay, 14th October, 1856. COUNTY PRISON - Governor's Report - I have to report the death of THOMAS WHITE, one of the prison warders. He was an old and faithful servant, having fill the office upwards of twenty-eight years, and, I am sorry to add, has left a widow and family in indigent circumstances. A vacancy having occurred by the death of one of the Warders, THOMAS WHITE, we recommend as his successor his son THOMAS WHITE, who has for eighteen months acted as assistant warder, and who has, in that capacity, discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of the governor. COMPLAINT AGAINST A CONTRACTOR - The Chairman read a letter from Mr. TUCKER, a county magistrate, complaining of the conduct of DAWE, the contractor for the conveyance of prisoners from Liskeard to Bodmin, who has suffered a prisoner to escape. During the last three months a great number of sheep and poultry had been stolen in the parish of St. Stephens by Saltash. At last, after long watching, JAMES PIPER was seen to catch and kill a sheep, and the warm carcase was taken from him. He (Mr. TUCKER) committed Piper for trial, and, as he was a stout active fellow, he sent two constables with him to Torpoint, with strict injunctions to the contractor, WILLS, who afterwards delivered him over to Dawe; but the latter had no horse to convey the prisoner, in conformity with his contract, and therefore he walked with him handcuffed towards the gaol. Dawe was weak and decrepit, and when near Glynn, he listened to the simplest application from the prisoner, and loosened one of his hands. Dawe was at once mastered, and the prisoner discharged himself and ran away. Another letter was read by the chairman from Mr. CLEVERDON, written at the request of Mr. Tucker. Mr. Cleverdon begged to lay the master before the quarter sessions, and said the parish of St. Stephens by Saltash was up in arms about the prisoner's escape. Dawe, who was in court, was told by the chairman that there was a very serious complaint against him, and asked what he had to say. Dawe's statement was that he and his wife were going to Plymouth on the road to Torpoint, when they med Wills the contractor and another man conveying Piper. This was seven miles from Liskeard. He took custody of Piper and conveyed him to Liskeard, and placed him in the lock-up for the night. Next morning, about half-past five, he took him out and conveyed him on the road to Bodmin. Piper was handcuffed to the rail of a donkey cart, which was driven by a boy of twelve or thirteen. Piper complained of diarrhoea, and repeating his complaints, Dawe said he taxed him with its being a sham; but as they got near to Glynn he became more importunate, and begged to be allowed to enter a field. Dawe said he at first refused, but at last released him from the cart, fastening one of his hands to his own left hand with the handcuff. The prisoner seized hold of the gate of the field, and a struggle ensued. He knocked Dawe down, kicked him, knelt upon him, and wrenched the key of the handcuffs from him, with which he released himself and ran off; Dawe said he offered GBP5 for his recapture. He had been fourteen years a contractor, and had never lost a prisoner before. The Chairman asked Dawe how he, an old man, could think of conveying a prisoner who had been brought to him by two men, and to do it in such a way as to give him a chance of escaping; it was a very careless thing, and through his conduct the ends of justice had been defeated. He asked if Dawe had any bill to present to the county on account of his contract. Dawe said he had a bill amounting to GBP8. 10s. After the matter had been discussed by the magistrates, Dawe was told by the Chairman that his contract would be vacated, and as to the GBP8. 10s. the court would consider how much of that he should be paid. PARISH OF ST. TEATH - On the representation of Mr. AVERY and Mr. SLOGGETT, county magistrates, the parish of St. Teath was directed to be transferred from the petty sessions and hundred of Trigg to the hundred of Lesnewth. Due notice had been given, and there was no opposition. TRIALS OF PRISONERS - RICHARD MARTIN, 56, was charged with stealing, at Launceston, on the 16th of August, six bottles of porter, several bottles, and a bag, the property of his master, WILLIAM PROCKTER. Mr. FROST conducted the prosecution; Mr. SHILSON defended the prisoner. Mr. Shilson said the prisoner Richard Martin and his wife JOANNA MARTIN, were both charged with the same felony in separate indictments; and he called on Mr. Frost to elect which case he would prosecute. Mr. Frost replied that the husband was charged as a servant, the wife was not. The Chairman was charged as a servant, the wife was not. The Chairman said he would deal with the objection when the wife's case came before the court. Mr. Frost then stated the circumstances of the case, which, it appears, has excited a great deal of interest at Launceston. He then called AMELIA PICKARD, a straw-bonnet maker at Launceston, whose shop is opposite Mr. Prockter's, in Southgate-street. On Saturday the 16th of August, about nine in the evening, she saw the prisoner at Lane's corner, the house adjoining hers, and also nearly opposite Mr. Prockter's. The prisoner and his wife were there talking together. Mrs. Martin then crossed the street, and went into Mr. Prockter's passage door. The prisoner also crossed the street, and went into Mr. Prockter's shop. She noticed that Mrs. Martin, before she went into the passage, opened the door and then closed it a little, then opened it again and went in. She had a shawl across her arm. Cross-examined - It was a market day at Launceston, and a very good light at the time. It was a main thoroughfare of the town, and any person in Mr. Prockter's shop could see them standing opposite. They were talking together about five minutes. Mrs. Martin went across first, and went into Mr. Prockter's front door adjoining the shop; and Martin went in through the shop and into the passage behind. CATHERINE PROCKTER said, my husband is a silversmith, and ironmonger, and sells porter and ale. On Saturday evening the 16th of August, I saw Martin and his wife at the corner of Lane's shop, opposite my husband's shop; they were talking together; I saw them from our shop. Adjoining the shop in front there is a back parlour, with a window looking into a covered passage, which leads into an open court, and at the end of that court there is a porter cellar, and near to that folding doors leading into what is called Blind Hole. When I saw Martin and his wife talking together at Lane's corner, I went into our back parlour, and while there I heard some one speak in the covered passage; the voice was Richard Martin's. He said to some one, "go and begin to close the shop." The person who said that went in through the covered passage to the other court; I heard the footsteps and knew they were Richard Martin's. On hearing those footsteps I put on my bonnet and went through the shop into the street in front, and round the King's Arms into the lane, and stood just above our double doors where the wall projects. I was not there more than a minute and while there heard the doors being unlocked; they were then opened, and I saw Joanna Martin come out and walk down the lane. The prisoner was then standing within the double doors, which were sufficiently open for me to see him distinctly. I followed and came up to Mrs. Martin, and said, "O Joanna, our suspicions are too well founded; I insist on your giving me what you have there." She was carrying a package, with a shawl through over it. She said in reply, "what ma'am! What ma'am!" I said, "you know what, you hypocrite." I put my hand to the package and took it from her. I believe her husband was at the double doors all the time. I carried the package up the lane, through the street, into our private passage, and placed it on the back parlour table, and called my husband. The package contained six quart bottles of porter, with my husband's label. The prisoner came up the court, and I said to him, "O Richard, how could you who have lived here from a boy, serve us in this way?" He did not make any reply. The prisoner has been fifteen years in my husband's employ, and had access to the key of the porter cellar and of the back doors. Cross-examined - The prisoner had been serving in the shop all that day, except when he took his meals. I think he had not his hat on when he was talking to his wife opposite the shop. Mrs. Martin on one occasion waited on me when I was ill, and when my brother was ill, and she occasionally did marketing for me, but she did not that day. The key of the porter cellar is kept hung up close by the shop door leading into the private passage. The prisoner was in the habit of delivering porter from the cellar on market days. The iron we sell and also the porter is taken the back way into the lane. My husband and the prisoner have duplicate keys of the back door. Any one accustomed to the shop might know where the porter cellar key was hung up; the boy we keep knew where it was. Prisoner's wife has been in the habit of coming to and fro to our house ever since I have been married. The lane is a dark lane and not much frequented; it is the nearest way to prisoner's house from the back door, but not from the hop door in front. WILLIAM PROCKTER, the prosecutor, said about nine o'clock on Saturday evening the 16th of August, I saw Richard Martin and his wife standing at Lane's corner. Shortly after, Martin came into the shop, and passed through the passage into the court; and within five minutes after that, my wife brought me a package. It contained six quart bottles of porter with my label on them, and they were in a bag such as we get our corks in and packed with a little straw, the bag tied at the top. The porter is......s[?] a dozen, the bag worth 3d. About eight o'clock I saw that the porter cellar key was not hanging in its place. When the package was on my back parlour table, the prisoner came into the shop and hung up the key in the usual place. I told him I had lost all confidence in him. He said, "I don't take anything on the premises; I thought you would not object to my taking some porter home." I said he might be sure that his sins would find him out. I told him I had watched him, and my neighbours had suspected and watched him, and seen him in the act of robbing me. He said he was sure no one had ever seen him. As I was speaking to him, his wife came in, and seeing she was very much excited he begged I would overlook it and forgive him by Monday morning. The prisoner had been in my employ and my fathers ever since he was a boy; his wages were GBP54 a year, with occasional present. He had his meals at my house on market days and occasionally on fair days when I was from home. Martin has been in my employ and my fathers for about forty years. He has been trusted by me with entire confidence; before the 15th of June I had not the slightest suspicion of him; I thought him a most faithful servant; he had command of my till, and I have no suspicion of him now in regard to money. I have not the slightest reason to think he has improperly dealt with any of my moneys. His character has been very good generally; he is a sober man and extremely temperate in his habits. I was anxious that the matter should be dealt with summarily at the petty sessions. Application was made to the committing magistrates to bail the prisoner; I believe bail to the amount of GBP400 was required. Re-examined - Up to the 15th of June I had no suspicion of him; from that time to August I had suspicion; from the 9th to the 16th of August they did not ask my permission to take any porter home. The case was not settled at petty sessions, because the magistrates' clerk did not think the jurisdiction of the court sufficient. BENJAMIN SAMBELLS, policeman, apprehended the prisoner on Monday the 18th of August. Prisoner said to me, "I have been a good servant to Mr. Prockter and his family." On his way to the council-room he said, "I used to drink nothing while there; I thought it no harm to take home some porter to have to drink of a night. I held out no inducement to him to say anything. This was the case for the prosecution. On the part of the prisoner Mr. Shilson drew attention to the excellent character the prisoner had borne for forty years, fifteen of which he had been in prosecutor's employ, having unlimited control of his property and his money; that there was no suspicion of his having dealt improperly with prosecutor's money; that he was a very temperate man, and was it likely that he would destroy such a character as he possessed, for the sake of a few bottles of porter? Was not the prisoner's own account the true one, that he thought it no harm to take home a little porter. This was what he said to the prosecutor and to Sambells; and if so, there was no felonious intention on the part of the prisoner, he was entitled to an acquittal. Mr. Shilson complained that the prisoner had been harshly dealt with on the subject of bail; and he then called as witnesses to character, RICHARD WISE, builder, at Launceston, who said he had known the prisoner nearly forty years, and never heard of any blemish on his character previously to this matter. WILLIAM LANGDON, ironmonger at Launceston, had known the prisoner intimately for thirty-three years; he had always borne an honest character till now. The jury deliberated about half-an-hour, and then being unable to agree, they retired from the court and were locked up. In an hour and a half more then returned a verdict of Guilty, but strongly recommended the prisoner to mercy on account of his previous good character. In passing sentence on Thursday morning the Chairman said:- Richard Martin, I can hardly approach your case without feelings of deep regret at seeing you in this situation, for I have known you from your boyhood. You certainly have abused the confidence which has been bestowed upon you by an excellent master, in whose service and that of his family, you have been for forty years. It is an astonishing thing that you should have suffered yourself to have been overcome by a subtle enemy, and to have thereby reduced yourself, at fifty-six years of age, to so painful and disgraceful a situation. I am sorry, from what appeared before us, and other circumstances, to believe that this was not your first offence by a great many. You have been intrusted by Mr. Prockter with his money and his [part missing) - have thereby reduced yourself, at fifty-six years of age, to so painful and disgraceful a situation. I am sorry, from what appeared before us, and other circumstances, to believe that this was not your first offence by a great many. You have been intrusted by Mr. Prockter with his money and his goods, and you were in frequent and constant communication with his customers; and I may also say that you were a many who professed to be actuated by religious principles, which is an aggravation of the offence, as against your own conscience. You have been strongly recommended to mercy both by the jury and by Mr. Prockter; but we have not only a duty to discharge towards you, but to society; and when we see a man like you brought into this situation, one who has so abused the confidence bestowed upon him, however you may be recommended to mercy, still we must mix mercy and judgment together. The sentence of the Court is, that you be imprisoned in the House of Correction and kept to hard labour for six calendar months. Wednesday, October 15. JOANNA MARTIN, 55, was charged with stealing at Launceston, on the 16th of August, six bottles of porter and a bag, the property of WILLIAM PROCKTER. Mr. SHILSON, for the defence, submitted that the prisoner must be discharged upon two grounds; first, that the husband and wife were together at the time of the alleged felony, as had been proved yesterday at his trial, and therefore the law presumed that she acted under his influence and coercion; and secondly, it was the same offence as that of which the husband was yesterday convicted. Mr. FROST, for the prosecution, quoted from Archbold to show that if there was evidence that the wife had acted voluntarily, and as a free agent, she might be found guilty; and he submitted there was evidence of that kind in this case. He said she was indicted separately because her husband was a servant and she was not. The Chairman said he was of opinion there was evidence given in the case tried yesterday, to show that the wife had acted under the influence and incitement of her husband, and if so, in the eye of the law she would not be guilty. Mr. Frost said he should not then proceed with the prosecution. The Chairman then directed the jury to return a verdict of Acquittal, which was done accordingly. Mrs. Martin cried very much before her removal from the bar, and was obliged to be assisted away, appearing to be in a fainting fit. JOHN THOMAS, 38, pleaded Guilty of stealing a scythe, belonging to JAMES JOHN TREWEEKE, at Kenwyn, on the 4th of August. SARAH DAWE, 27, was charged with stealing a purse containing a sovereign and three shillings, from the person of ROBERT ROBERTS, on the 11th of September. Mr. J. B. COLLINS for the prosecution; Mr. Shilson for the defence. The evidence was that the prosecutor left Dawe's public-house at Callington in the afternoon of September 11th, and was overtaken by the prisoner, who, he stated without saying anything, came up and threw him in against the hedge, and instantly robbed him. A man called PINE came up and stopped her from going away, and she returned the purse and money. The defence was, that the prosecutor had been drinking, and gave the woman the money. Verdict, Guilty. Four Months' Hard Labour. PHILIP HARVEY, 27, was charged with stealing a diamond for cutting glass, a tin case and a plane, belonging to RICHARD SPRY, of Calstock. Verdict, Not Guilty. FRANCES GLANVALL, 19, was charged with stealing a gold ring from the shop of ROBERT CROWLE, at Camborne, on the 17th of May. Prisoner went into the shop and asked to see a locket, and was shown that and some gold rings. One of the rings was afterwards missed, and Mrs. Crowle saw prisoner wearing it. She was apprehended by police constable WARD. She said she had bought it of another person, who however denied that she had sold prisoner a ring. Verdict, Guilty. - Three Months' Hard Labour. DANIEL ROBERTS, 13, a sailor, was indicted for stealing a gun from DAVID DAVIS, of Portreath, on the 14th of September. The gun was stolen from prosecutor's parlour, and the prisoner afterwards had it in his possession at Jose's beer-house, Redruth. He was apprehended by constable RODDA, when very tipsy. Next morning he said he should not have done it if he had not been drunk. Guilty. Three Months' Hard Labour. WILLIAM LARK was indicted for that he, being a clerk to Mr. THOMAS HITCHENS, merchant, of St. Austell, did receive and take into possession GBP6, in the name and for the account of Mr. Hitchens, and did feloniously embezzle GBP4 thereof. Mr. SHILSON for the prosecution, and Mr. CHILDS for the defence. From the evidence of the prosecutor it appeared that prisoner had been in his employ about ten years, and being a principal clerk, it was his duty to receive moneys from customers, which he had to enter in a petty cash-book, to make a similar entry in the general cash-book, to make a similar entry in the general cash-book, and to post the entries into the ledger. Prosecutor, and to post the entries into the ledger. Prosecutor had been in the habit of supplying Mr. JOHN STEPHENS, carrier, of Mount Charles, with oats, for which moneys had been received on account from time to time. Two or three months ago prosecutor discharged the prisoner from his employ, and having in consequence been making up customers' accounts, an account was sent in to Mr. John Stephens, who afterwards came to prosecutor and presented him a receipt in prisoner's handwriting, as follows:- "6th October, 1854, received of Mr. John Stephens GBP6 on account. - William Lark." On Mr. Hitchens referring to that date in his books, he found that the entry of money received from Mr. John Stephens was GBP2 instead of GBP6 as appeared by the receipt. Mr. Hitchens admitted that although it was the prisoner's duty when in the office, yet in his absence other clerks would receive money from customers, pay it into the cash box and enter it. He also admitted that he had many customers named John Stephens and James Stephens, and there might be Joseph Stephens. Many other matters were deposed to, but the above were the main features of the case. Mr. John Stephens, of Mount Charles, was called, but could not swear that on October 6th, 1854, he paid GBP6 to the prisoner, his son might have paid it, but he was not now in attendance; his only evidence of payment was the receipt. Mr. Childs hereupon submitted that the mere receipt was not sufficient in a criminal case to prove payment of the amount, and that there was no case to go to the jury. The Chairman, however, decided that the trial should proceed. Mr. Childs then addressed the jury in a zealous and able speech on behalf of the prisoner, in the course of which he complained of harshness on the part of the prosecutor, in not allowing the prisoner time to explain, after the discovery of an apparent discrepancy in the accounts. He also called as witnesses, who gave the prisoner an excellent character, Mr. JOHN HORE, of the parish of St. Austell, Mr. HODGE, of St. Austell, who had been bail for the prisoner, Mr. SAMUEL STRIPP, of Bodmin, and Mr. W. STRIPP, of St. Austell. Mr. Childs mentioned that Mr. ELIAS MARTIN, of St. Austell, had also been bail for the prisoner, and would have attended to give him a character if he had not been obliged to be absent that day. The Chairman, in summing up, relieved the prosecutor from the imputation of harshness thrown upon him by defendant's advocate, but some other of the observations of Mr. Childs he considered were of much weight. As to the production of the receipt without further proof of payment, it might be sufficient if the case were tried elsewhere; but in a criminal charge, and after so long a period as 1854, he thought it would have been much more satisfactory if they had had the evidence of the person who paid the money. For it was quite possible, when there were a number of customers of the name of Stephens, and when payments were often made in sums of GBP3, GBP2, and so on, that a clerk might hastily give a receipt for GBP6 when he had not received so much. Or it was possible that through other clerks receiving money, there might be confusion and error. If the jury had doubts in the case, it was in such cases of doubt that the good character a prisoner had received would come to be considered. The jury after a short deliberation returned the prisoner Not Guilty, and the court the rose. NO BILL - The bill against JOHN BROWN, a soldier, for stealing GBP2 from JOHN NICHOLLS, of Kingsand, was ignored. Wednesday, October 15. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, aged 15, pleaded Guilty of breaking and entering the warehouse of RICHARD HAMBLYN, at Redruth, and stealing therefrom sixteen potatoes, the property of the said Richard Hamblyn. Nine Months' Hard Labour. HENRY FERRIS, 22, a seaman, was charged with stealing on the 3rd of October instant, a gold ring, the property of ZALIG HARRIS, at Falmouth. Mr. T. COMMINS conducted the prosecution; the prisoner was undefended. Zalig Harris, the prosecutor, deposed:- I am a jeweller, living at Falmouth. On the evening of the 3rd of October I was at RADFORD's beer-shop, at the Quay, Falmouth. When I went in the prisoner asked me if I had any earrings. I said yes, and showed him some. He asked if they were gold, and I said yes; he said they were not, and offered to bet me a dollar that they were not. I took out some money from my pocket for the purpose of betting with him, and in doing so dropped a sixpence; I stopped to pick it up, and after I rose from the ground, I missed this gold keeper from my box. It was the only one I had of that sort. I had bought it of Mr. JACOBS, who is also a jeweller at Falmouth, and it had Mr. Jacobs's private mark on it. I afterwards saw the ring in the hands of a man called ROBERT VINCENT. SAMUEL JACOBS - I am a jeweller, and carry on business with my father at Falmouth. The ring now produced to me formed part of my father's stock, and it has my father's private mark; I made the mark myself. JOHN CADDY, policeman at Falmouth, proved that the witness, Robert Vincent, was too ill to leave Falmouth for the purpose of giving him evidence, and a certificate to the same effect was put in from Mr. BULLMORE, surgeon. Vincent's deposition before the committing magistrates was then put in and read. It was:- Yesterday morning I was at Mr. LACY's in Falmouth; prisoner and another sailor came into the house, the tap of the Crown and Anchor; he ordered some ale and showed me a ring which he offered to see me, and said he had brought it from sea with him; I looked at the ring and he offered to sell it for 5s. and a quart of beer; and I afterwards bought it for 4s. and paid for it. Soon afterwards, Harris came in and owned the ring, and then brought in the policeman Caddy and I gave up the ring to him. Caddy, the policeman stated that he received the ring from Vincent and had had it in his possession ever since. The prisoner told him he bought the ring at Constantinople. The identity of the ring was clearly proved, and the jury found a verdict of Guilty. (On reading Vincent's deposition, the chairman complained of the almost illegible way in which it was written; magistrates' clerks ought to write depositions much more clearly.) Sentence, Three Months' Hard Labour. HENRY COCKING, was charged with stealing a silver meat-spoon, the property of CHARLES HARVEY, innkeeper at Portreath. Mr. T. COMMINS conducted the prosecution, Mr. FROST the defence. Charles Harvey, the prosecutor deposed:- I am an innkeeper at Portreath; on the 28th of July I engaged the prisoner as an assistant in my stables; he agreed to come the next day, but did not come for eight or ten days afterwards. On the 29th July I missed a silver tablespoon, having seen it the day before in the little mixing bar. On the 10th of September, HODGE the constable brought me a silver spoon broken into seven pieces; I knew it to be my spoon by the engraving, and by marks of initials that had been engraved on it by Mr. WILLIAMS of Pool. JOHN MARSHALL THOMAS deposed:- I am a jeweller and watchmaker at Redruth; on the 10th of September, the prisoner's wife came to my shop and offered me a silver spoon for sale; it was in pieces, which was defaced very much, and I detained them. I asked her name, and she said "Mills." She expressed a wish to have the silver back again, but I refused, and afterwards went to Hodge the policeman, and gave the pieces to him. The value of the spoon before it was broken was about a guinea; it was a meat-spoon. THOMAS HODGE, constable, produced the pieces of silver handed to him by last witness. After I received them, I went to Portreath, to the prosecutor, who at once identified them as his property. CHARLES TREGONING, constable of Redruth; on the 18th of September I took the prisoner into custody, and charged him, in Mr. Harvey's presence, with stealing a silver spoon from Mr. Harvey, and I also told him that his wife was in custody for offering the spoon for sale at Redruth; he said he found the spoon, and pointed to a place where there had been an old stamps; he said his wife was innocent, and if there was any charge about the spoon, it must come to him. The prisoner's wife was examined before the magistrates and discharged. MARTIN WILLIAMS said that two or three years ago he engraved six spoons for a Mr. PHILLIPS, the father-in-law of the prosecutor; he engraved the letters H. M. P. Having put together the pieces of silver produced, the witness was perfectly satisfied that they formed part of one of the six spoons which he had engraved for Phillips. Evidence of identity was given by other witnesses; and the jury found a verdict of Guilty. - Four Months' Hard Labour. JOHN WILLIAMS, 37, clockmaker, was charged with stealing a silver watch, the property of JOHN ORCHARD, at Week St. Mary, on the 10th of September. Mr. SHILSON conducted the prosecution; the prisoner was undefended. John Orchard, the prosecutor, a farmer's son, said:- I live at Week St. Mary. The prisoner is a watch cleaner, and was lodging at the Tree Inn, in Week St. Mary, some time since. About eight or nine weeks ago I told him I had a watch to clean; and the next morning he came to me at my father's house and cleaned it there, and I paid him for it; he left the watch and went away. About three weeks afterwards I told him it gained a little, and on the 10th of September he came to my father's house again and looked at it; he said it was rusted, he supposed in consequence of his having handled it with damp fingers, and he must take it with him for a few days. He took away the watch, and I never saw it again till in the hands of the constable at Stratton. THOMAS SANDERCOCK, another farmer's son:- I live at Poundstock; on the 13th of September, the prisoner came to me where I was working in the field; he had before cleaned a watch for me, and I told him it was not going "fitty." I showed him my watch and he took it and told me when I should have it again. I wanted him to leave another watch with me meanwhile and he said he had not got with him one of his own, and he said he could not leave it because he intended to sell it to a farmer. He showed me the watch, and told me I should have it for my own watch and 15s. He left his watch with me, and called on me again the same day at my father's house, and I exchanged with him, giving him 10s. and my watch for his watch. The watch that I took in exchange I had in my possession, till I gave it to the constable at Stratton on the 18th. GEORGE MOORE police-constable at Stratton:- On the 16th of Sept. in consequence of information I received I went to Bradworthy, and thence to Hartland, in pursuit of prisoner; I found him at the Anchor Inn, in Hartland, in bed with a woman who called herself his wife. I charged him with absconding from Week St. Mary with a quantity of watches. There were four watches then hanging up at the looking-glass; I took possession of them, and took the prisoner and the woman to Stratton. The next morning the prisoner said to me, "about those watches, I wish to tell the truth; I told you last night that they four watches were the whole; but, I sold two at Poundstock - one to a lad called Sandercock in exchange for half-a-sovereign and his watch, and another called ARMSTRONG; and he also said something about his having been hard up, because of scarcity of work, in consequence of people being all out harvesting. I afterwards saw the prosecutor and Sandercock, and received from Sandercock the watch which I saw produce, and which has been in my possession ever since. The watch was clearly identified by the prosecutor and Sandercock. EDM. HORRILL, of Week St. Mary, proved that in September prisoner had been staying there ten or twelve weeks, and left there on the 15th of September. In summing up the Chairman directed the jury that as it was clear that the prosecutor parted with the watch voluntarily, they could not find a verdict of guilty unless they were satisfied that at the time the prisoner received the watch, he had made use of the statement about the watch being rusty, as a false pretence in order to get possession of it and appropriate it to his own use. Verdict, Guilty. The prisoner was tried and found Guilty under very similar circumstances of stealing a watch, the property of EDWARD MOYSE, at Jacobstow, on the 8th of September. - Six Months' Hard Labour. JOHN PEARCE, 15, and GEORGE MORRIS, 20, labourers, pleaded Guilty of breaking and entering the dwelling-house of JACOB MASSELIN, at Sheviock, on the 14th of August, and stealing a pair of boots, a coat, a waistcoat, a pair of trowsers, a handkerchief, a shirt, a linen jacket, two capes, a shawl, a silver watch, a smelling-bottle, two neckerchiefs, and a penknife. Pearce was sentenced to Six Months' and Morris to Eight Months' Hard Labour. MICHAEL BURKE, 23, mat-maker, was charged with stealing a purse, a gold brooch, two sovereigns, a half-sovereign, and three half-crowns, the property of JOHN BROOKING, at Maker, on the 30th of July. Mr. E. GILBERT HAMLEY conducted the prosecution; the prisoner was undefended. MARIA BROOKING:- I am the wife of John Brooking, and on the 30th of July was at Cremill with my husband and two children. Between five and six o'clock my husband and children were taking coffee; and I was sitting on a form with the children, and there was a table close by. At that time I had in my pockets among other things, a purse containing two sovereigns, a half-sovereign, three half-crowns, and a small gold brooch. In about five minutes after, on leaving the table, I put my hand in my pocket and found my purse was gone. WILLIAM FRANCIS KITTO, painter:- I was at Cremill in the afternoon and evening of the 30th of July; I saw the last witness at a refreshment stall with her husband; and I saw the prisoner feeling the husband's pockets; I also saw him put his hand between Mr. and Mrs. brooking, and I then saw Mrs. Brooking's dress lift from the ground. EDWARD HIBBERD, superintendent of police at Stonehouse, was at Cremill on the 30th of July last, and from information I received I apprehended the prisoner and charged him with stealing money from Mrs. brooking. He said that he knew nothing about the purse, but was willing to go with me; and he also said he had not been near the woman. I afterwards searched the prisoner, and found on him 7s. 2 1/2 d. On the road to the station, I asked him what he had handed to LORY, a man who was with him previous to the affair. He said, a ball and two pins. I previously searched Lory, and he had no such articles as that about him. (It appeared that nearly three quarters of an hour elapsed from the time of the alleged robbery, and the searching of the prisoner by Hibberd. The prisoner cross-examined the witnesses and addressed the jury with much ingenuity and persistency; and succeeded in obtaining a verdict of Not Guilty. AUGUSTUS MORCOM, 24, tailor, pleaded Guilty, on three several indictments, of stealing at Grambler and St. Aubyn Mines, on the 10th of September, a pair of boots and a pair of socks, the property of THOMAS PHILLIPS; a jacket and shirt, the property of JAMES QUICK; and various articles of clothing the property of HENRY KINSMAN. Sentence, Six Months' Hard Labour. SAMUEL WILLIAMS, 62, carpenter, charged with breaking into the dwelling-house of THOMAS BALL, at Zelah, in the parish of St. Allen, on the 29th of August, and stealing therefrom a gold brooch, a silver brooch, and two gold pins, the property of his daughter BETHIA BALL. Mr. ROSCORLA conducted the prosecution, the prisoner was undefended. Bethia Ball, single woman, deposed:- I live with my father, and keep his house at Zelah. On the 29th of August, about half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, my father being at his labour, I locked up the house and went away. On my return at about half-past three, I found the door as I had left it, but the window as broken open and all the things in the house were in an uproar; and upstairs the boxes and drawers that I had left closed were open, and out of my little chest there was gone a gold brooch, and a silver brooch, and two gold pins. On Saturday, the next day, I gave information to the Truro Police, and on Sunday, I saw the articles in the possession of WOOLCOCK. OLIVIA ROBERTS, an intelligent little girl:- I live at Lane, near Thomas Ball's. On the 29th of August I was with a little boy picking blackberries, in Mr. Carveth's field, and saw the prisoner jump over the hedge right before me, only a few steps from me. After he had jumped over the hedge, he went up the turnip-field; there was no roadway through the field; he had a chisel in his hand. THOMAS BALL, grandson of the prosecutor:- I live at Zelah Lane. On Friday the 29th of August, I saw the prisoner about a quarter of a mile from prosecutor's house, on the road towards Truro; he had a chisel with him. MARY JANE GUMMOW, a little girl:- I know Elizabeth Williams, prisoner's daughter; on the evening of Saturday the 30th of August, Elizabeth Williams came to me in my house and showed me a white brooch and asked me if I would give twopence for it. I said "no it is not worth twopence." She afterwards gave it to me, and then showed me a yellow one, which she said was for EMMA JOSE, another work girl. I wore my brooch on the Sunday, and on the Monday I gave it to Mr. Woolcock the policeman. WILLIAM WOOLCOCK, apprehended prisoner on Saturday night the 30th of August, I told him what he was charged with; and he said he had not been out of town on the Friday, and that the farthest he had been was to Comprigney bar. From information I received, I went to the house of THOMAS GUMMOW on the Monday and saw the little girl, Mary Jane, who gave me the silver brooch I now produce; and the little girl Williams, prisoner's daughter, gave me another brooch, which I also produce. (These articles were identified by the witnesses Bethia Ball and Mary Jane Gummow.) WILLIAM JOSEPH NASH, who was with Woolcock at the apprehension of the prisoner on the Saturday night, corroborated his evidence. The prisoner's statement before the committing magistrate was put in. It was - "I found those brooches, coming down Kenwyn-hill, Saturday afternoon." The prisoner was found Guilty. A former conviction was proved against him. At the Michaelmas Sessions, 1847, he was convicted and sentenced to four months' hard labour, for stealing a batten from Messrs. ROBERT and EDWARD MICHELL, at Truro. Mr. EVEREST stated further that when he came to the gaol twenty-nine years ago, prisoner was then in gaol. He was not sentenced to Four Years' Penal Servitude. TRURO COUNTY COURT - JOHN FERRILL, carrier of Ladock, v. RICHARD GREENWOOD, auctioneer, and EDWARD CROSSMAN, bailiff, Truro. Mr. PAULL for the plaintiff and Mr. STOKES for the defendants. The plaintiff claimed GBP5 as damages for an alleged overcharge in respect of a distress for rent which had been levied on plaintiff's goods and chattels on the 9th of September last, in the parish of Ladock; and for the refusal and neglect of defendants to give particulars of the costs and charges of the distress, when required. It appeared that the arrears of rent were only GBP22. 10s., whilst the costs of the auctioneer and bailiff amounted to GBP6. 7s. 6d., being made up of the following items:- Levy, GBP2. 2s.; posting bills, 10s.; possession, GBP1. 10s.; commission, GBP1. 9s. 6d.; appraising at 2 1/2 per cent., 14s.; swearing, 2s.; total GBP6. 7s. 6d. The defendants called Mr. DREW, a bailiff, who stated that the charges were fair, usual, and proper; and as plaintiff had no evidence to contradict that statement, his Honor gave judgment for the defendants. This was the first court at which the new scale of fees came into operation. It may be added that a summons was applied for under the 48th section of the act of last sessions, by which a summons for judgment may, by leave of the court, issue in the court in which judgment was obtained, although the defendant may not reside in the district. His Honor granted the application. NAVAL APPOINTMENTS - Mr. THOMAS PIDWELL, eldest son of Mr. Pidwell, Alverton-terrace, Penzance has been appointed to the "Victory," guard shop, Portsmouth; and Mr. JOHN TENCH BEDFORD, only son of the late mayor of Penzance, has been appointed to H.M.S. "Retribution," which has just left Portsmouth on foreign service. Both gentleman had passed most creditable examinations. EARLY CLOSING AT REDRUTH - The drapers of Redruth have (with one exception) determined upon closing their respective shops at the hour of seven during the winter and eight in summer. There is also a movement in the right direction visible among the druggists and grocers, and but for one individual, the seasonable hour of eight would be adopted by them also. We trust that selfishness will ultimately give way to uniformity, and a just estimate of the requirements of the rising generation. If not, the public will no doubt administer the salutary retribution. This praiseworthy adoption will doubtless show forth its fruits in due season; our evening societies, schools, and institutions must flourish, and Redruth may for the future by numbered among those towns where master and servant have each their interests taken into kind and proper consideration. SHERIFF'S COURT - A sheriff's court was held at Camborne, on Friday last, to award damages in the case of WILLEY v. CRAZE, a case of seduction tried at the last assizes at Bodmin when judgment went by default. Mr. PLOMER, of Helston, acted as sheriff's deputy, and the jury awarded GBP100 damages and costs. FALMOUTH QUARTER SESSIONS - This sessions was held on Wednesday last, before Mr. BEVAN, the recorder. There was but one prisoner a married woman called MILLS, for obtaining goods from Mr. J. LANYON, draper, and Mr. E. BANKS, draper; the goods were obtained under false pretences. She pleaded guilty to one case and was found guilty on the other, and sentenced to two months imprisonment with hard labour in each case. The Mayor and Council entertained the Recorder and several guests to a dinner at the Royal Hotel. REDRUTH COUNTY COURT - Mr. JOHN L. PETER, solicitor, of Redruth, has been appointed registrar of the County Court for that district, vacant by the resignation of Mr. PAYNTER who retains the Penzance court only. The appointment is vested with G. G. KEKEWICK Esq., the judge of the court subject to the approval of the Lord Chancellor. CAMELFORD COUNTY COURT - WM. MACKWORTH PRAED, Esq., the judge, has appointed Mr. CLAUD. HAWKER, attorney-at-law, of Camelford, the registrar of this court, under the provisions of the recent county Court Amendment Act. TRURO POLICE - On Wednesday last, before the Mayor and Mr. PADDON, CHARLES GREEN, of Truro, butcher, was charged with an assault on his father FRANCIS GREEN, and his brother FRANCIS GREEN the younger, both butchers, also of Truro. The assault on the brother was of a violent character by which his leg was fractured. The case was proved and the defendant was fined GBP5 and expenses, or in default two months' imprisonment. The fine was paid. On the 16th instant, PHILIP WEBB and JOHN GIBSON, apprentices to Mr. CRIDDLE, of King Street, cabinet maker, &c., were charged with absenting themselves from their work without leave, and the charge was fully proved against both lads. Gibson on expressing his willingness to return to his work and behave better in future, was discharged on payment of the expenses, but Webb refused to pay the expenses, and in default was committed to the house of correction for fourteen days. On Monday last, RICHARD PASCOE, apprentice to Messrs. BARRETT BROTHERS, was charged before Mr. Paddon with refusing to do his work, and for using abusive language to his master. This being the second time of his having been brought before the magistrates, he was sentenced to one month's hard labour. ST. IVES POLICE - Two vagrants named WILLIAM BECKETT and JAMES JOHNSON, were committed on Tuesday last, by the magistrates of this borough, to the house of correction at Bodmin, for one month to hard labour, as "idle and disorderly persons." The magistrates are resolved to punish similarly all persons found begging in this borough. ACCIDENT AT SEA - Padstow, October 13th. - THOMAS RICHARDS, second mate of the barque "Lord Riversdale" (late Bate), of this port, which arrived here in a disabled condition, having experienced severe weather, sailed from Quebec on the 25th of last August, with a crew of fifteen hands, for Cardiff. September 27, in lat. 47.38 N., long. 14.14 w., running under foresail and foretopmast staysail, in a gale at N.N.W., and heavy sea, at one p.m., the shop was pooped by a heavy sea, which swept away the cabin, (built on the quarter deck), taking with it the wheel, all the cabin stores and furniture, binnacle and compass, and shook the after part of the ship, causing her to make water, and, in addition the captain, Mr. WILLIAM BATE, was washed overboard and drowned. The chief mate, THOMAS BILLING, had his left leg broken, with a compound fracture; and the steward, RICHARD CURY[?], had his left leg broken, and others of the crew sustained severe contusions. Brought the ship to the wind and lay to under the mizenstaysail. All hands employed in securing the wreck, and assisting the wounded men. At two p.m., the ship was struck by another heavy sea, which stove and carried off the jolly boat, water casks, spare spars, and some deck cargo; set stormtrysail, and lay to till the 30th, when the gale having moderated, proceeded - having in the meantime refitted the ship with tiller and temporary wheel, binnacle, &c. October 2, fell in with a Dutch barque (the "Beatrix"), from Canton for London; obtained from her provisions, oil, &c. 6th, got a pilot on board, seven miles W. and by N. off Lundy Island; the wind being E.N.E., contrary for Cardiff, the nearest port, and, with assistance from the shore, got safely moored at Hawker's Cove, with about seven streaks list to starboard, the cargo having settled on to that side. ACCIDENTS - On Wednesday as pilot boat No. 3, belonging to Mr. BARKER, of Coverack, had put a pilot on board a barque off the Manacles, on their returning to the pilot boat in getting the punt on board, one of the brothers fell overboard, and the efforts of the remainder of the crew were unable to save him. On Tuesday last, as some coal porters were unlading a vessel at the stores of Mr. THOMAS, at the Market-strand, Falmouth, by some means the plank slipped on which two men were carrying a gurry of coals. One of them fell on the deck, and the other slipped between the ship and the quay, and received such injuries that there is little hopes of his recovery. The other one sustained little injury. There were brothers named READ. An accident occurred at Rosewarne Downs, in the parish of Camborne, on the 9th instant, MARY BENNETT, an old woman of 67 years of age, went to pick blackberries and fell into a shaft abut twelve feet deep and broke her leg. On Monday last, a young man aged 18, named WILLIAM TREMELLIN, was accidentally killed by the falling of a stone, in Porkellis United mine, Wendron. MELANCHOLY MINE ACCIDENT - On Monday last, a most distressing accident occurred at Wheal Basset mine, by which two men lost their lives and several more were placed in eminent peril. It appears that four men were engaged putting in stages in the shaft, two at the 45-fathoms level and two below. While thus engaged a tremendous rushing noise was heard by the men at the 45-fathoms level, who called out to their companions below that the "shaft" was coming together" but instead of the ground giving way, in another instant they were surrounded with water, which rushing down with such tremendous force, carried away stages, ladders, men, and large stones, some of which weight from 15 cwt. to 16 cwt. down to the bottom of the shaft; the men who were at the 45-fathoms were carried away into the level and thus by a miracle escaped with only a few bruises and a severe drenching, while the other two poor fellows, named JOHN ROBERTS and THOMAS RICHARDS, were found at the bottom of the shaft bruised and mangled in a dreadful manner. Their bodies were recovered as speedily as possible but death must have been almost instantaneous. The level from which the water came was the 45-fathos; it appears that the level must have reached some old workings of the ancient tinners, although there are no traces at the surface, and thus have caused the melancholy accident. The men have both left large families. An inquest was held on the body of Roberts on Wednesday last, before Mr. E. T. CARLYON, deputy coroner, when the facts above stated were given in evidence and a verdict of "accidental death" returned. FATAL ACCIDENTS - On the 14th instant, three wagons and a cart laden with copper ore from Mark Valley Mine, were proceeding over Caradon Down, towards Liskeard Canal at Moorswater, when one of the wheels of the hinder-most waggon, in passing over a stone, gave such a jerk to the vehicle that the driver was thrown from the shaft, when the wheels passed over his head and killed him on the spot. An inquest has been held, and a verdict of "accidental death" recorded. It appeared that the men had all been drinking freely, and were in a state of intoxication. The unfortunate deceased was named MARTIN, and belonged to the neighbourhood of St. Austell. On the same day a man named POLLARD was in pursuit of game in the parish of Duloe, and for fear of being discovered hid his fowling-piece in a hedge while some one approached him, and on taking possession of his gun again it went off, lodging the contents in his vitals, causing instant death. FIRE AT ST. JUST IN PENWITH - On the night of the 9th instant a fire broke out in the pattern shop attached to the Messrs. HOLMAN's Foundry at Tregeseal. A quantity of valuable patterns had been accumulated there during the last twenty years. It fortunately happened that a stream of water ran both in front and behind the premises, from which a good supply of water was derived, and used by rows of men, who stood along the roofs of the neighbouring shops, on ladders leading to the roofs, and along the road, and passed water from hand to hand. Fortunately, very little wind prevailed. If it had, in a certain direction, the whole of the houses at Tregeseal, including the private residence of the Messrs. HOLMAN, and twenty or thirty others would have been lost. Fortunately, the Messrs. Holman are insured. The origin of the fire is unknown at present. FIRE AT CARHARRACK - On the 13th instant, a fire was discovered in a furze stack belonging to Mr. WILLIAM BUNT, of Carharrack, and before assistance could be obtained and from want of water, it ignited a stack of corn, the whole of which was quickly consumed. The loss sustained, we are sorry to say, is upwards of GBP60. Within a few yards of the fire were other stacks belonging to Mr. JOHN PENROSE, but by great exertions the fire was prevented from extending to them, and they were consequently saved. INQUEST - The following inquest has lately been held before Mr. HICHENS, county coroner. On the 14th instant in the borough of St. Ives, on the body of a male person unknown, supposed age about forty years, which was picked up in St. Ives bay on the preceding day. The deceased had evidently been in the water several days, and was supposed to have been one of the crew of a French vessel which foundered on the "St. Ives Stones" about a fortnight since. Verdict, "found drowned," and the jury appended to their verdict the following expression of their sense of the great want of a light somewhere near the said stones. "The said jurors believing the body of the said male person to be that of one of the crew of a French vessel, which is reported to have been lost on the rocks, near Godrevy, in the said bay of St. Ives, called the St. Ives Stones, on the night of the 28th of September last, desire to express their deep sense of the absolute necessity of a light being forthwith placed on some point in the vicinity of the said rocks, to warn mariners, when near thereto, of their impending danger, and thus to avert in future similar calamities which have of late so frequently happened.