The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-18 00:00:00

IN RS HR .70FIN ROSS.

This morning was appointed for the adjourned choice of
assignees and last examination of Sir John Ross, the well-
known voyager.
The meeting, however, had not been advertised, but the
hour set down in the list as well as in the books of the
official assignee, was eleven, ;ma some of the parties were
present. The case, however, in consequence of this mis-
understanding, was adjourned till one o'clock.
At that hour, Mr. 13uchannan, the solicitor to the fiat,
said that Mr. Gillott, tailor, of the Strand, had preyed his
debt, and undertaken the office of assignee; he had had the
accounts before him several days, and was quite satisfied
with them.

The Learned COMMISSIONER said he could not recognise
Mr. Gillot's having had the accounts before he was appointed
assignee; a short adjournment of ten days must take place.
The last examination was, therefore, again adjourned.

ASSIZE IN TELLIGENCE.

WESTERN ClRCUlT.—Dorchester, March 14.

The commission was opened here yesterday at three
o'clock, with the usual formalities, and the Learned Judges
attended Divine service immediately after. The cause list
showed an entry of six causes, of which one was marked for
a special jury.
The common juries were taken to-day, and were got
through before two o'clock. The special jury was then post-
poned until Monday.
The calendar contained a list of 56 prisoners, of which 2
were for murder, 3 manslaughter, 2 arson, 1 concealment of
birth, 6 burglary, and 3 highway robbery. The other
offences charged were all of a light character. Of these 56
prisoners, 4 were stated to be able to read and write well, 10
imperfectly, 19 could read, and 18 could neither read nor
write; of 5 no account was given.
CROWN COURT.—( Before Mr. Justice EiILE.)
Joseph Way was indicted for having wilfully and mali-
ciously set fire to a wheat-rick, the property of Mary Ann
Biles, at Milborn St. Andrew, on the 31st January last.
Mr. Slade appeared for the prosecution; Mr. Ball defended
the prisoner.
_ _

Mr. Sr_.DE having stated the facts of the case to the jury,
called

William Mosea—l was at the Oak inn, at Milborn St. An-
drew, on the evening of the 31st of January. The prisoner
was there. There was an alarm of fire; this was about half-
past eight. I then missed the prisoner from the house. I
had not missed him before.
Sarah Bishop—l keep a small shop at Milborn. I know the
prisoner. I heard an alarm of fire on the evening of the 31st
of January last. About ten or twelve minutes before that
time the prisoner came to my shop and bought some con-
greve watches. I know the barley-rick that was burnt on
that night; it is about 250 yards from my house.
Cross-examined by Mr. BALL—He asked for lucifers. I
asked him whether he would have the silent or noisy ones.
He said he did not care which. lie took the noisy ones.
James Strickland—l was standing outside the Oak public-
house on the night of the fire with the ostler. The prisoner
came up and said, How are you?" I said, pretty well. He
then said, " Here's a light in the road." I looked and saw a
light. I said, It is the coach coming down the road, or
the moon." He said, "There is a great fire up here ;" he
then cried " Eire:" and I then saw a fire, and went to
assist.

Cross-examined—The prisoner went also. I saw him at
work assisting. This was about half-past eight.
William Prince—l was up at the fire on the 31st; this was
of a barley. stack, and was assisting there " dousing" the
fire out. Way, the prisoner, was there. He made a remark
to me: "This is enough to open any farmer's eyes. They
turn men away who have a wife and family; they had better
give a man a sovereign then turn him away."
Cross-examined by Mr. BALL—There were two fires that
night. This wa3 at the first fire of the barley rick. It was
said before all the people. I remember the prisoner watch-
ing his master's (Mr. Simmons) premises. He said I took a
a bit of wood therefrom. He never saw me take any; but
he said he did. I was discharged in consequence.
Henry Symonds--I saw the prisoner at the second fire, the
one at the prosecutor's rick. He said, "How's the time to
speak out. I suppose this fire will be blamed to people out
of work, when they may have nothing more to do with it
than other people."
By the JUDGE—The wheat rick, whore the second fire
was, belonged to widow Biles, the barley rick to John Biles.
Themes Biles—l was at the first lire of the barley rick.
War, the prisoner, was there. I saw him go away towards
the water. He had no bucket. About ten minutes after
there was a fire at widow Biles's. That is about 300 yards
from the first fire.

Cross-examined by Mr. BALL—When I saw him at the
first fire, he was trying to keep the fire off another rick. I
anano relation to widow Bites.

William Simmons—l was at the barley rick of Benjamin
Biles when it was on fire. While there my attention was
drawn to another light. I thought there was another fire.
I said to Mr. Stanfield, who was there, " You make one way
to the fire, and I will go another, so as to cut off the retreat
of any person who might be running away from the second
fire." I came to a gate leading into the road from the field
where the fire was. The fire had taken considerable progress
on the rick on one side. The wind blew nest, quite in a
contrary direction from where the first fire was. The first
fire was away from the second tire.

Cross-examined by Mr. BALL—The prisoner worked for
me two years. I cannot say I have not chastised him. He
was a boy when he worked for me. I would rather not answer
questions-as to his character.
Isaac Stanfield—l was at the first fire. I saw the light of
a second fire. Mr. Simmons was there. He gave me some
directions, and I went up a lane towards the second fire. I
came to a gate, and heard footsteps coming from the second
fire, as I was in the act of opening the gate. I saw a man
running in a direction from the second fire. He ran towards
where the gate opened. I stepped through and met hint.
I stopped him, and said, " Halloo, my friend, who are you ?"
He made ne answer. I took hold of him. I said, "Do von
see that?" pointing to the light of the second fire. He said,-
"It's a fire." Two persons came up from the first fire on
horseback ; one said, " For God's sake, open the gate." This
was
know an
who. DunT. said," I shall not open the gate until I
this man is." He then said, "My name is Joseph
Way." When I first took hold of him he was out of breath
and agitated. Upon this, I let the prisoner go and ran to
the fire. When I got there, I saw the two persons on horse-
back who had come to the gate. Wee the third perecm at the