Star.
London, England, 1823-08-28 00:00:00

ASSIZES.

CHESTER, AUGUST 25.
MPIIDER. •
Joseph Dale, who attained the age of 18 years the
day he was committed to the Castle of Chester, stood
indicted for the wilful murder of William Wood, cot-
ton-factor, on the 16th of July last, at Whaley, by
means Of stones thrown at the back part of his head,
by which a mortal wound was inflicted of the size of
half an inch in length and one inch in breadth.
First witness called was John Mellor, of Whaley,
farmer's servant.—Was coming from Bullock's Smi-
they, with his cart, on the 16th of July, the old road ;
on his return (from Dishley to Whaley are two roads),
Setween seven and eight P. At. found a man, near the
boundary wall, dead, twelve or six yards from the
wall ; Dishley to Whaley is three miles ; he came
one mile from Dishley alone ; stopped till .Edmond
Potts and John Mellor, his uncle, came up ; did not
know Wood; on the back of his head was a wound,
on the forehead two wounds; appeared inflicted with
stones; many stones were near the body, which were
Brickstone stones; a Vast quantity of blood under his
head; did not observe the pockets; body was not
quite cold ; put it into Edmond Potts' cart ; there
were three carts with three drivers present ; grass and
wall by the body was sprinkled with blood a little,
but much blood about.
Second witness, ,Edmond Potts.—Was on the road
on the 16th of July last, between seven and eight
e. M. saw John Mellor ; knows where Joseph Hat-
field lives; Mellor. stood by Wood on the Dishley
side ; passed Hatfield-himse on the Whaley side ; dis-
tance from a quarter to half a mile; examined the
body, which was warm ; corroborated the former
witness with regard to the blood and stones ; took
the body in his cart to the Cock, in Whaley ; was
present before the Coroner when inquiry took place;
examined the pockets of the deceased; turned out the
breeches pockets, in which was an old penny, pocket
handkerchief, and top of an umbrella.
Cross examined by Mr. JoNEs.—Much blood was
about where the body lay; blood came on witness's
clothes ; removed the body, with the former witness,.
into the cart ; his apron was very bloody, with the
head ; difficult to touch the body without receiving
.blood; Whaley is on the side of Hatfield-house; found
not the umbrella, nor any basket.
Third witness, Mary Bradaliaw.—Knows late Mr.
Wood; saw him at Manchester on the 15th of July,
between six and seven o'clock, A. M. going to Man-
chester, at Holly-green; saw the body the day after
at the Cock.

Fourth witness, William Howarth, of Dishley.—
Examined roads on the 17th of July, near Hatfield-
house; found stones left•hand side of the road, 26
yards from boundary, between Hatfield's and Mar-
shall's house. Four stones were here produced, clotted
with blood and hair, both extremely visible and ap-
palling, and the stones large ; the sort of stones were
what they make walls with.
Cross-examination.—Plenty of blood on the grass,
half a yard square.
Fifth witness, Jonah Cheatham, manufacturer, at
Stockport.—Saw Wood at. Stockport between two
and three o'clock on the 16th July (Wednesday);
paid him £4B and some shillings—EB in £1 country
notes, two £5 Derby notes, and the rest in Bank of
England notes of £5 each, except one £lO. Knew
mark and number of several: one a N. Bank of
England, N 0.721, 21st January, 1822, which he
copied; recognized the tear in it. Stockport was
about six miles from the murder.

Cross-examined.—Wood had an umbrella and a
small parcel when he left him; did not copy the
Derby notes; did not bring the book in which the
notes-were copied; could not have sworn to the note,
unless he had copied it; could not ascertain the note
by the tear alone ; made no memorandum of notes
paid to Wood.; all the 51. notes he had paid on Mon-
day ; Whaley it near Derbyshire ; Derby notes come
more in that neighbourhood. (Counsel argued that
the evidence of the notes should be erased from the
minutes, inasmuch as the books were not produced,
which took up a considerable time ; however, it was
finally rejeCted.)—Witness did produce the memo-
random from his book of the Si. note, which he made
last Wednesday; he could only swear to the note from
the reference he had to his book ; left it at home.

An answer to a question from Serjeast MARSHALL.
—Recollects the note produced is what he received
on Monday, and put into the tin box, out of which he
paid no other but to Wood.
Sixth witness, John Johnson, of Dishley, stone-
mason —.Saw on the evening, near seven, two young
men pass on the road by him,-in coloured clothes :
one young man, and one middle-aged followed, 20
yards distant; had light coloured coats and drab
gaiters; middle-aged man appeared light coloured;
saw deceased at the Cock, who had dark coloured
coat and gaiters; the young man was dressed in a
pair of trowsers and jacket, light drab; the last man
of the three, taller than the other, was going towards
Whaley; saw them near the foundry, going towards
Joseph Hatfield's ; Joseph Hatfield lives between
Dishley and Whaley, on the uld road, between a
quarter and half a mile from the boundary ; saw at
seven o'clock a man pass, and directly afterwards
three men followed him; first man had gaiters rather
slack; young men followed him two or three minutes
afterwards; first man bad an umbrella in his right
hand, and a basket or bundle in his left; going to-
wards Whaley.
Cross-examined.—Standing by his own door, on
the old London road.

Qaestion by the Comm—Saw the dead body ; had
on leggings the same as the man who passed his door.
Thomas Etchings, of Stone-edge, between Whaley
and Dishley, remembers being on the road on the
16th of July ; between seven and eight o'clock on the
evening of Wednesday observed two young men on
the road, between two and three yards distance; ran.
'with him about 40 yards : walked up to him ; one of
them asked how far to Chapel-le-Frith ? told them
four miles ; then they thanked him, and ran again
soon out of sight; two dressed vkith dark coats, and
the third a dark-coloured jacket, trowsers of the
same ; saw red marks on the Berson with light-co-
loured jacket, four or five inches broad, bet Ween his
left shoulder and his elbow. Thu was half a mile
distant from the boundary of Dishley and Whaley ;
saw three young men running as fast as they could
at the top of the hill ; came into Whaley ; stopped be-
fore they reached the toll-bar; they passed.through
walked sharply along the bridge ; one turned at the

public-houte door, but could net tell whether he went
in ; two turned to the Buxton-road. •
William Beard, of Whaley, was on the turnpike-,
road 16th July, about eight o'clock. These men were
turning towards the toll-gate leading to Buxton.
Which they went through.
Verdict—Guilty; but (very unusual in cases of
murder) Chief Justice WARREN would not pass sen-
tence till Wednesday, in consequence of the argu-
ments in arrest of judgment by :Messrs. Lew and
JoNEs, the prisoner's Counsel.

GAS LIGHTS.

REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTER OF THE HOUSE OF

COMMONS ON THE SUBJECT Or GAS LIGHTS.

Your Committee are of opinion that the danger
likely to arise from gasometers and gas works is not so
great as has been supposed, and that, therefore, the;
necessity of interference by the legislative enactments
pointed out in the reports referred to them, does not
press at the present period of the Session.
It appears that great improvements have taken
place in the apparatus, machinery, arid management
of gas works, since 1814, the date of the Report from
the Committee of the Royal Society, which have very
much lessened the danger of the works ; and that im-
provements are daily making in every department of
them, that must still further lessen the danger neces-
sarily attendant on such establishments.
The evidence sufficiently supports the opinion that
the risk of accident or danger is but small, if the or-
dinary care and attention, necessary in every large
establishment, is paid by the officers and workmen
employed on the premises.
It is in evidence, that the caTburetted hydrogen gas,
usually supplied to the Public, is not, (of itself, ex-
plosive ; but that, in order to render it so, a mixture
of from five to twelve parts of atmospheric air, and
the application of flame, is necessary ; while the
manner in which the gasometer houses are in general
built, renders it extremely difficult to form the mix-
ture requisite for explosion, and, consequently, ren-
ders the chance of accident remote.

The danger attendant on the use of gas in the streets
and passage:, appears also to be small ; and that it
will, probably, by the better management and care
of the persons employed in these establishments, be
henceforth lessened.

The Committee beg to refer to the evidence re-
specting the accidents, by explosions of gas, stated to
have occurred at Edinburgh, Manchester, and other
places, as to their extent.
It appears that in some of the gfis works, safety
lamps, on Sir Humphry Davy's plan, are used on the
premises, to guard against accidents that might oc-
cur by the application of flame to any explosive mix-
ture that may have been formed, by leakage from
the gasometers or pipes ; and, as the Committee con-
sider that precaution yet", necessary, they trust the
Directors of every establishment will immediately
adopt them, both for their own and the public secu-
rity.—There are several suggestions in the reports,
and in the evidence, as to the limits of districts, the
size of gasometers, the distance of placing them from
each other, the structure of the houses and roofs, the
kind of tanks, &c. that deserve very serious attention;
and, although the Committee view the interests of '
the gas establishments as intimately connected with
the avoidance of danger from the gas, they are de-
cidedly of opinion that such further power should be
given to the Secretary of State over all gas establish-
ments, as shall be deemed requisite to carry into
effect the improvements in the works that may be ne-
cessary for the safety of the Public.
The Committee cannot close their Report without
expressing their satisfaction that the Public have ob-
tained so great, and so rapidly increasing a means of
adding to the convenience and comfort of society, as
*the use of gas, under due management, must afford ;
and they are of opinion, that as a means of police,
much benefit would be derived from its general in-
troduction to light the streets of this metropolis.
July 7, 11125.

DISCOVERY OF AN ANCIENT PAINTING.

In cleaning the south wall of the Church at Woot-
ton Basset, Wilts, which is a more ancient part of
the church than the rest of the structure to which it
is now united, the workmen accidentally brought to
light a very curious painting, executed in the rudest
style, but evidently illustrating the subject which it
represented. In brushing the wall, a piece of the
plaster fell off, and the armed foot of a man with a
spur was discovered underneath. Gradually removing
the plaster around, the workmen found a painting,
in watercolours, of the murder of Archbishop Beckett.
The four Knights, in complete armour, are in the act
of assaulting the Archbishop. The figures of the
Knights are nearly perfect; the two latter in...the act
of drawing. The Archbishop is leaning before the
altar ;.between his hands, which are raised in apious
attitude, is the wafer; the cup and the book are placed
on the table before him; the crosier and mitre are
by his side. His Cardinal's red robe with golden
bands are distinct. His features are a good deal
obli-
terated; but there is sufficient to distinguish that his
head is turned round in sudden surprise. This paint-
ing is evidently very curious, both from the subject
and the rudeness of the execution. It was done, in
all probability, at an age when Beckett's character as
a saint stood high, as a-holy decoration for the ckurclii
and at no great distance from the event. He was
murdered A.D. 1170. It is not easy to. determine
when the picture was coveted over; very likely at
the Reformation, to efface a Catholic memorial of a
personage to whom such miraculous celebrity was
ascribed: it might, however, have been covered up in
the time of Cromwell; for on the opposite wail the
plaster was also removed, and a painting of the Royal
Arms in Charles's.time discovered. These were also
covered over, and the zeal of the partizans in those'
days might have caused both the picture .and the
King's Arms to be effaced together. The picture is
evidently painted on the titst coating, as the bare
stone is immediately underneath. "Ithe entrance by
.the folding-doors is also rudely represented, and be.
low is sketched what seems intended to signify the
Cathedral itself.

BURGLARY.—Some thieves broke into the house of
Walter Cotrzens, Esq. at Thorn Villa, Middlesex, on
the night of Tuesday, and got oil with a quantity of
silver spoons, a watch, linen, ald other articles, to
the amount of more than £lOO.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.•

MANSION-ROUSE.

•
Uosss TOT JRVlCLS.—Yesterday - Sitemonan and his wire
were placed at the .bar ; .the former charged by Mr. Williarnsi
the auctioneer, with having robbed hie of three valuable dis,
mond rings from the Aucti 3 Matt, and the lat e:. with disposing
of the same to Mr. 'Sadler 'a pawnbroker, re sating in Ilihaps.
gate, for nue fortieth part o their value. •
Mr. Williams stated to :he LORD Mavost., that hc, being an
Auctioneer, was about to it •he up a sale at the Mart, and the
male prisoner was employed oy him to lot the articles; when he
came to the articles in questi.-n, they were not to b f inter, ant
the prisoner denied all knowle Ige of them. Hence he applied tr.
Mr. Isaacs, who declared that they were delivered into the ces.
tody of his (witness's) porter.
Arr. Isaacs stated, that he went to the house of the pri :rtnert
with an officer, wbo denied having taken the:ll for A•iire rime;
but afterwards confessed the robbery; and the wife stilted the:
she had sold them for 10r. to Mr. Sadler sl.opman. Ap:
plication was made to Mr. Sacilert.but he was nat at home. The
shopman denied all knowledge of diamond rings, and inquiret
for the duplicate, to which witness replied that they were
bought, And not pledged, and shat the articles were worth ttut
which he had bought for 10s. Mr. Sadler at length made hit
appearance, and coolly observed, that he should have blamed 1:14
man had he bought paste rings for diamonds ; but witness consi-
dered that he had a paramount duty to perform to tha Public,
and see that diamond rings were not %sought for paste.
George Soder, the shopman, stated, that be bought the Tinge
now produced (gold, beautifully chased, and set with diamonds),
and considered them paste. ; admitted that he Inspected them
through a microscope, and that he considered them not to be
-set with precious stones. The witness further stated, the: be
sold the articles to his employer on his return home, when he
said be had doubts whether they were not diawonds, and would
have them assayed.
Tke female prisoner was allowed to state t facts relative to
the sale; without sayini anything as to th* ma er by which she
obtained possession, as it might criminate her husband.
After Mr. Isaacs (a Gentleman lust returned from India,) had.
addressed the Court, the Loan MAYOR said, that he was &ter-
mined to see Mr. Sadler on this important business, and ordered
the accused to be remanded until to-morrow.
GUILDHALL

Cauruvr.—T. Hotheach a tad, was charmed with cruelty to
some sheep he was driving from Smithfield. Clinton, the office;,
witnessed extremely brutal violence on the part of the pri •coner,
and interfered to prevent it, when several pasPers-hy <aid they
were very happy he had come up ; some at them had already
sent for an officer, on account of the priioner's eon; vio-
lence; although he had just broken oue of thy sheer's legs, tied
it up, and sent it into the drove again. Clin:am thereuvoo took
him into custody, at.d Alderman Cox fined him 10s.which being
unable to pay, ho was committed to the !louse in Correction.