The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-05 00:00:00

C RUELTY- .TO ANIMALS BIL

Lord ST. LEONARDS, in moving the second read-
ing of this bill, said its object was simply to extend
the present law against the use of dog-carts, which was
applicable only to the metropolis to all parts of the
country.

The Earl of EGLINTON was sorry to differ from
his noble arid learned friend as to the necessity of the
bill, which he considered was a piece of over
legislation. He never yet heard a case aientioned,
on authority, of a dog having gone n iad in conse-
quence of being used in drawing carts. 31e moved that
the bill be read a third time this day thre e mouths.
Lord BROUGHAM considered that , as dogs were
not designed by Providence for the purps sses of draught,
it was an act of cruelty to employ them 'in carts.
The Marquis of WESTMINSTER tent iered his thanks
to Lord St. Leonards for introducing the bill. If the
present law were allowed to remain, it sought to be ap-
plied to all the country districts, where 1 he nuisance of
dog-carts was more felt than even it xs as formerly in
London.
Lord HATHERTON was understood to support the bill.

The Earl of MALMESBURY said there were 1,500
persons in Sussex and Hampshire atom: who got their
living by means of these dog-carts, and i f this bill passed
their property would be confiscated. "They were to be
made liable to an imprisonment of three calendar months
for driving dogs, which was out of all proportion with
the offence. They should take care that in preventing
cruelty to dogs they were not inflicting cruelty on men.
The Duke of ARGYLL said the arguments against
the bill were not conclusive. They prevented the use of
dog-carts in London, and if they committed an injustice
then, it might well be argued that they ought to commit
it now. (Much laughter.)
Earl GRANVILLE thought the argument of his
noble friend was not calculated to recommend the bill.
(Hear, hear.) It appeared to him that the case of cru-
elty had broken down. It was said that dogs were not
beasts of draught, but this very bill showed that they
were. (Hear, hear.) He thought it was a dangerous
principle to legislate against dog-carts, the means of
living of one class of persons—because they were less
respectable than the carts of the class above them.
(Hear, hear.)
The Earl of CHICHESTER supported the bill.
The Earl of WICKLOW said this bill had passed the
House of Commons. It was not right, therefore, to say
that it was petty or over legislation. The number of
petitions in favour of the bill showed that it was neces-
sary. He believed that the employment of donkeys or
asses would be more economical.

The Earl of EGLINTON withdrew his amendment,
but signified his intention of pressing it in committee.
The second reading was then agreed to.
ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS BILL.

On the motion of Lord BROUGHAM, the Ecclesiastical
Courts Bill, the object of which is to enable those courts
to take evidence vial voce, was, after a discussion, read
the second time.

The Bishop of DOWN and CONNOR gave notice of
his intention to move in committee that the operation of
the bill should be extended to Ireland.

The Bleaching, &c., Works Bill, the Customs Duties
(Sugar and Spirits) Bill, the Excise Duties (Sugar) Bill,
and the Warwick Assizes Bill, severally went through
committee.

The Encumbered Estates (West Indies) Bill was read
a third time and passed.
The Vice-Admiralty Court (Mauritius) Bill was read
a second time, and

Their lordships adjourned at 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Lords Amendments to the following bills were
considered and agreed to :—Bolton Improvement; Brad-
ford, Wakefield, and Leeds Railway ; Leeds, Bradford,
and Halifax Junction Railway ; York, Newcastle, and
Berwick Railway (Construction of Docks, &c.)
The following Estates bills were read a third time and
passed :—Fleming's Estate ; Masters' Estate ; Smith's
Charity Estate ; Thornhili's (Clara) Estate.

,
The Oxford Poor Rate Bill was ordered to be read a
third time to-morrow.
The Aberdeen Shoemakers Trade Estate Bill and the
Ratcliff Gas Company Relief Bill were read a second
time, and ordered to be committed.