1854 Cornwall Quarter Sessions and Assizes Table of Contents 1. Epiphany Sessions ............................................................................................................... 1 2. Lent Assizes ....................................................................................................................... 21 3. Easter Sessions ................................................................................................................. 69 4. Midsummer Sessions ........................................................................................................ 76 5. Summer Assizes ................................................................................................................ 99 6. Michaelmas Sessions ...................................................................................................... 111 Royal Cornwall Gazette 6 January 1854 1. Epiphany Sessions These Sessions opened on Tuesday last, at Bodmin, before the following magistrates:— J. King LETHBRIDGE, Esq., chairman Lord Vivian. J. Davies Gilbert, Esq. Sir W. L. S. Trelawney, Bart. H. J. Molesworth St. Aubyn, Sir Colman Rashleigh, Bart. Esq. N. Kendall, Esq. H. Thomson, Esq. T. J. A. Robartes, Esq., M. P. N. Kendall, Jun., Esq. C. B. G. Sawle, Esq., M. P. E. Coode, Junr., Esq. W. H. Pole Carew, Esq. R. Johns, Esq. J. Tremayne, Esq. J. Borlase, Esq. C. G. Prideaux Brune, Esq. E. Stephens, Esq. J. S. Enys, Esq. Rev. R. Buller. The following gentlemen were sworn on the Grand Jury:— Mr. Edward Geake, St. Germans, foreman. - Thomas Nattle, Liskeard. - Wm. Arthur, jun., Egloshayle. - Wm. Drew, St. Austell. - Wm. Geake, Liskeard. - J. Cole Grose, Bodmin. - T. T. Golding, Callington. - W. Geach, Tywardreath. - J. Hoyton, Antony. - Edmund Hambly, Menheniot. - J. Hodge, Menheniot. - T. Lord, St. Germans. - J. Lovering, St. Austell. - J. Lakeman, Egloshayle. - C. H. Moody, Liskeard. - C. Moon, Liskeard. - J. Maynard, St. Germans. - W. G. Nettle, Liskeard. - S. Phillips, Liskeard. - J. Pascoe, Bodmin Borough. - W. Rickard, St. Dominic. - R. Rogers, St. Germans. - Isaac Sargent, St. Dominick. After the usual preliminary business, the CHAIRMAN delivered his charge to the Grand Jury [–not transcribed] VISITING JUSTICES REPORT.—The Visiting Justices had pleasure in reporting that the Gaol and Bridewell, with the exception of some of the roofs and pavement, were in their usually clean and excellent order. The prisoners during the last three months had been healthy and orderly. [GAOL EXPENSES FOR THE LAST QUARTER—not transcribed] GOVERNOR’S REPORT.—The Governor stated that he was happy to be able to make his report without adverting to those acts of insubordination which had characterized former reports. But he still had to deal with great want of means for separating the prisoners. He begged to attach the usual certificate that the rules and regulations for the government of the prison had, as far as practicable, been complied with. Several areas and passageways required re-paving; some of the roofs continued in a very bad state, and some of the doors and partitions of the dormitories required repair. In other respects the prison continued much in the same state as before reported. [Comparative Statement of the number of prisoners at the Epiphany Sessions 1853 and 1854—not transcribed] COUNTY ASYLUM.—The CHAIRMAN read the following Annual Reports:— The Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum, in making their annual report, beg to state that the condition of the Institution has, during the past year, been generally most satisfactory. The only cause for anxiety has been the return in the Spring and Autumn of those periodic attacks of Dysentery, for which no precaution has yet been found to prevent and for which no cause has been assigned. An analysis of the water has already been made, but there are circumstances which induce the Visitors to think a second analysis desirable, and they have directed it to be made, without loss of time, by one of the most eminent Chemists of this kingdom. Males. Females. There remained in the Establishment on the 31st December, 1852 129 122 =251 Admitted in 1853 42 40 = 82 Total number under care 333 Discharged Recovered 27 27 = 54 “ Relieved 4 2 = 6 “ Removed by friends 6 3 = 9 “ Died 16 18 = 34 Total discharged and died 103 Patients remaining under care, December 31st, 1853 230 For these there is ample accommodation, and the Visitors anticipate no further difficulties in providing room for patients.—Nothing can exceed the anxious attention of the Medical Officer; and the general arrangements of the institute are fully carried out by the Domestic Superintendent to the satisfaction of the Visitors.—The Laundry and Drying Room and finished and in full operation. They are most efficient in every respect, and the cost did not exceed the estimate.—The Commissioners in Lunacy, in their report, which is annexed, suggest the use of gas in the establishment. The Visitors beg to say that they fully concur in the opinion that it would much add to the comfort and cheerfulness of the Asylum. They have had an estimate of the cost laid before them, but finding that it will exceed £300, and that it will entail an additional annual cost of at least £30 on the establishment, they are unwilling under present circumstances to incur such an expense, unless urged to do so by the magistrates assembled in Quarter Sessions.—In consequence of the greatly increased cost of provisions, the Visitors are obliged to raise the weekly charge for maintenance from 7s. to 7s. 9d., the expenditure of the past year having exceeded the income by nearly £100. For the last 13 years, a balance has always appeared in favor (sic) of the establishment.—The committee have granted a pension of 12/. 10s. per annum to Edward Morris, tailor, after 13 ½ years service, he being wholly incapable to do work of any kind, and being in ill health. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS IN LUNACY Bodmin County Lunatic Asylum, Bodmin, July 18th, 1853. We have to-day visited and inspected this Asylum, and have seen all the patients, except four, who are absent on trial with their friends. We found the patients generally tranquil and in tolerable bodily health; one man was placed under mechanical restraint by means of straps binding his hands to his side in order to prevent him casting off his clothing. We noticed, during our passage through the Wards, that improvements in the furniture have been made, and a better description of bedding has been introduced. There are now no loose straw beds, and we are informed that the patients are much more cleanly in their habits; lavatories have been fitted up in the wards, and several day-room windows have been lowered.—A new lodge, wash-house, and laundry have been recently erected, and are found to answer their several purposes and to promote the comfort of the patients—The large airing-ground has been still further extended and laid out in an ornamental manner. We found the wards, grounds, and offices in good order, and the whole establishment in an improved state. Rules and Regulations are about to be placed in the hands of the nurses and attendants, and we are glad to learn that arrangements are about to be made for sending a selection of the patients to the sea-side.—A purchase of additional land has been recently made; but the Commissioners have not yet had it in their power to lay on gas in the wards. We are of the opinion that the apartments occupied by the ladies and gentlemen would be still further improved if the iron doors were removed and additional furniture, book-shelves, &c., were placed in the day-rooms.—There are at the present time 235 patients in the house; namely, 20 gentlemen and ladies, 103 pauper men, and 104 pauper females. S.GASKELL ) Commissioners W. G. CAMPBELL ) in Lunacy. BRIDGES.—Mr. MOORMAN, Surveyor for the Western Division, reported that he should require one levy; and that he had received a letter from Mr. Michael Williams, pointing out that the causeway at Higher Carnon Bridge was at present in a dangerous state for passengers, and that the danger might be avoided by placing some posts or such other means of protection as the Surveyor might think best. Mr. Moorman said that the cost of wooden posts would not exceed 11/. Mr. GILBERT said that, in consequence of the embankment having been recently raised by order of the magistrates, it was dangerous to passengers on dark nights, and some fence was necessary; but he urged that that fence should be of a more permanent nature than wooden posts,—that it should be formed of granite posts and iron railings; and he would give notice of application at the next sessions, for 50/. for that purpose; Mr. Moorman meanwhile to prepare an estimate of the cost. Sir W. L. S. TRELAWNY suggested that it would be preferable to have a large number of granite posts, without iron railings; as, in some instances, granite posts had been thrown down for the purpose of stealing the iron. TREGONY BRIDGE.—Mr. GILBERT requested the Clerk of the Peace to read the minutes of proceedings at the Midsummer Sessions 1851 with reference to an accumulation of sand at Tregony Bridge. At that time, the magistrates resolved to grant a sum of 50/. towards securing the Bridge from future injury, on condition that the further money necessary should be contributed by the landowners of the neighbourhood—that the County Surveyors should approved of the plan to be adopted—and that the grant made by the county should not compromise it in respect of any future repairs; there being a question as to the county’s liability. Mr. GILBERT stated that Mr. Enys and himself had inspected the bridge, and saw that the bridge was endangered by the accumulation of sand, and traffic over the bridge was partly stopped by reason of water making a breach over it. Mr. Whitley had reported on the state of the bridge, and, like Mr. Pease and Mr. Moorman, recommended that the course of the river be straightened and deepened; this would relieve the pressure on the bridge and, probably allow of its existence for some years.