1858 Cornwall Quarter Sessions & Assizes Table of Contents 1. Epiphany Sessions .................................................................................................................... 1 2. Lent Assizes ............................................................................................................................ 18 3. Easter Sessions ...................................................................................................................... 59 4. Cornwall Midsummer Sessions ............................................................................................. 69 5. Lammas Assizes ..................................................................................................................... 83 6. Michaelmas Sessions ........................................................................................................... 113 7. Winter Assize ....................................................................................................................... 140 ========== Royal Cornwall Gazette, 8 and 15 January 1858 1. Epiphany Sessions These sessions were opened on Tuesday the 5th inst., at the County Hall, Bodmin, before the following magistrates:— J. KING LETHBRIDGE, Esq., Chairman. Lord Vivian. H. Thomson, Esq. Lord Valletort. W. Morshead, Esq. Hon. G.M. Fortescue. Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq. Sir Henry Onslow, Bart. J.W. Peard, Esq. Sir S.T. Spry. E. Stephens, Esq. N. Kendall, Esq., M.P. S.U.N. Usticke, Esq. T.J. Agar Robartes, Esq., M.P. Neville Norway, Esq. R. Davey, Esq., M.P. F.M. Williams, Esq. E.W. Brydges Willyams, C.A. Reynolds, Esq. Esq., M.P. Thomas Paynter, Esq. C.B. Graves Sawle, Esq. T.R. Avery, Esq. W.H. Pole Carew, Esq. R.H.S. Vyvyan, Esq. J. Tremayne, Esq. J.P. Magor, Esq. R. Foster, Esq. Thomas Hext, Esq. F. Howell, Esq. W.R.C. Potter, Esq. E. Coode, jun., Esq. R.G. Lakes, Esq. C.G. Prideaux Brune, Esq. Rev. T. Pascoe. E. Collins, Esq. Rev. Vyell F. Vyvyan. J. Jope Rogers, Esq. Rev. R. Buller. D.P. Le Grice, Esq. Rev. C.M, Edward Collins. R. Gully Bennet, Esq. Rev. J.J. Wilkinson. J.T.H. Peter, Esq. Rev. R.B. Kinsman. S. Borlase, Esq. Rev. W. Thomas. W. Horton Davey, Esq., of Redruth; and the Rev. Lewis Morgan Peter, of Treviles, qualified as magistrates. The following gentlemen were sworn on the grand jury:—Mr. John Rogers Moon, Liskeard, foreman; Mr. James Allen, Kenwyn; Mr. John Andrew, Tywardreath; Mr. Henry Brendon, Liskeard; Mr. John Karswell, jun., Liskeard; Mr. Robert Coath, Liskeard; Mr. john Crossman, St. Mewan; Mr. John Davey, St. Stephens by Launceston; Mr. Michael Frost, St. Mary Magdalene; Mr. T. Treweeke Golding, Callington; Mr. T. Peter Hamlyn, St. Mary Magdalene; Mr. John Mayers, St. Neot; Mr. John Mason, Callington; Mr. Nicholas Michell, St. Neot; Mr. Nettleton Moore, St. Clement; Mr. W. George Nettell, Liskeard; Mr. George Stanaway, Probus; Mr. Richard Tremain, St. Clement; Mr. Henry Tresawna, Probus; Mr. George Tooker, St. Neot; Mr. James Webber, Probus; and Mr. George Weekes, Probus. After the customary formalities, the CHAIRMAN delivered the following charge: [not transcribed] The Grand Jury then retired to their room, after receiving from the Chairman some instructions as to the mode of swearing witnesses and returning bills. WARNING TO MAGISTRATES’ CLERKS.—The CHAIRMAN complained that there were three cases of parties admitted to bail for trial at these sessions, in which no information had been forwarded to Mr. Everest, and consequently the names of the parties charged were not on the Calendar; although the depositions were taken so long back as in December and November. The names of these parties were William Parnell, Thomas Barrett and Henry Baker. The chairman remarked that it was very important that the Calendar should present the name of every person to be tried; but this could not be done unless timely information was sent to Mr. Everest. Subsequently, in the course of the day, the Chairman had occasion to repeat his complaints of the non- return of depositions; there was an instance of four depositions being just returned, from Callington. Mr. SAWLE suggested that the Chairman should in such cases, disallow the Magistrate’s Clerk’s expenses. VISITING JUSTICES’ REPORT.—The Visiting Justices reported the cleanly state of the gaol, and the efficient discipline maintained therein. [CORONERS’ BILLS.—not transcribed] GOVERNOR’S REPORT.—The Governor reported that nothing had occurred within the prison since his last report, calling for any special remark. The prisoners, with some few exceptions, had been orderly and well-conducted. The Rules and Regulations for the government of the prison had been as far as practicable, complied with. Several defects and dilapidations continued to exist, but under present circumstances the Governor did not recommend that any repairs, of consequence, should be undertaken. [GAOL EXPENSES FOR T HE PAST QUARTER.—not transcribed] EASTERN DIVISION OF BRIDGES.—The report from Mr. Sylvanus W. Jenkin, surveyor, was as follows:— “Rilla Mill Bridge:—There is a dangerous opening to a mill-leat near the end of this bridge, at which I would recommend a gate or door to be placed; the cost will be about 12 shillings: I have no other application to make at this time.—I beg to submit a notice which I have received from Mr. Childs, of Liskeard, of an application intrusted to be made to Parliament by the Liskeard and Looe Union Canal Company, for power to construct a Railway from Moorswater to Looe.” WESTERN DIVISION OF BRIDGES.—Mr. Hicks, surveyor, reported as follows:— “The Bissoe Bridge Road requires cleaning, and some parts stoning, which will cost about £1 15s. There are also some repairs wanting to the south guard-wall, which will cost 4s. 6d. Grampound.—There are some repairs wanting to the guard-wall, which I consider will cost about five shillings. COUNTY CONSTABULARY.—The CHAIRMAN read the following report from the Chief Constable:— Chief Constable’s Office, Bodmin, 4th January, 1858. My Lords and Gentlemen; I have the honour to lay before you the quarterly returns of crime committed in the county; and also a return showing the number and distribution of the constabulary. The force is now nearly full; and as the instruction of those at head quarters will shortly be completed, I trust soon to occupy the entire county. I have much pleasure in adding that the general behaviour of the force is very satisfactory.—I have to ask this Sessions to sanction the purchase of another horse for the Truro district, as all prisoners committed to gaol in the Penzance and Helston districts, including the boroughs of Falmouth, Penryn, Helston, Penzance, St. Ives, and Truro (under a distinct police force) are brought to Truro for conveyance to Bodmin, and one horse has been found quite unequal to this work. I would also recommend that another horse should be purchased, to be kept at head quarters, and available for any district where a horse shall happen to be sick or unable to work, or for any emergency; and I am sure the county will benefit by this arrangement.—The charge for extra horse-hire in the conveyance of prisoners from the Western Divisions has amounted to £26 16s. in this quarter,—an expense which I hope will be entirely avoided for the future by the arrangement I propose.—I have submitted to the committee the names of four places at which I propose building stations and locks-up as soon as possible; and I trust the county will see the necessity of a notice for a further grant for this purpose; as it is impossible the working of the force can be efficiently carried out until these building are completed.—I have to submit a new arrangement of the Petty Sessional Divisions, which I hold to be essential for the convenience of the public, and the well-working of the police force; but I beg to add that the buildings I have proposed are quite irrespective of this arrangement. I have the honour to be, My Lords and Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, W.R. GILBERT, Lieut.-Col. —The CHAIRMAN said there were also, from the Chief Constable very voluminous returns:—of the expense of contingencies, &c. incurred during the quarter ending the 31st December, 1857—of the strength and disposition of the force—of the crimes committed (so far as known), and number of persons apprehended—of the offences charged, &c. The total amount of contingencies for the quarter was 405l. 4s. 2½ d.—There was also a charge of 150l. 7s. 3d., for services performed by the constabulary in the apprehension, subsistence and conveyance of prisoners during the quarter; and another charge of 21l. 12s. 6d., for giving notice to coroners and attending at 41 inquests; but it was explained that these two sums, amounting to 171l. 19s. 9d., were paid, not to the police themselves, but in reduction of the police expenditure generally.—The CHAIRMAN further reminded the court that 2½ per cent. On the salary of every police constable went for the forming a superannuation fund, and fines for misconduct also went in aid of that fund. The last sum applied to that fund was 75l. 19s. 4d. invested in the purchase of 84l. 6s. 3d. in the Three per Cents. In the past quarter there had accrued a further sum, of 77l. 15s.— It was resolved that this sum also should be invested in the Three per Cents. [REPORT OF THE COUNTY POLICE COMMITTEE.—not transcribed] COUNTY ASYLUM.—On the motion by Mr. KENDALL, the following magistrates were named the visitors on behalf of the county:—Lord Vivian, Lord Valletort, Mr. Sawle, Mr. Tremayne, Mr. Brune, Rev. C.M. Edward Collins, Mr. Rogers, Colonel Coryton, Mr. E. Coode, jun., and Mr. Brydges Willyams.—Mr. KENDALL stated that the following magistrates were “subscribers’ visitors”:—Mayor Carlyon, Rev. G.H. Somerset, Mr. Howell, Mr. Norway, and Mr. Kendall. —The CHAIRMAN read the annual reports from the Commissioners in Lunacy, the medical officer, and the visitors. Mr. KENDALL said, since the visitors report was written, it had come to their knowledge that within the last week 10 patients had been admitted, two of whom were idiots. It was fair to give notice to the county that if idiots were sent to the asylum, it would be necessary to build, at no distant period.—Mr.