The Sun.
London, England, 1822-08-02 00:00:00

GAME LAWS.

YORK, TUESDAY, JULY 30.
Prius.—Before Lord Chief justice ABBOTT and Com-
mon Juries.

. . DUFF V. HALL.
Mr. SCARLET T stated this to be an action which arose from
a Code of Laws called the Game Laws. Those 'laws were
made for promoting domestic strife by way of making life
agreeable in the country. Those laws formed the pride and
glory of our country gentlemen. They would hear the evidence
which supported the present action.
John England, attorney at Hull, saw the defendant at Pock.
thorpe with greyhounds ; at first there were two of three, after-
wards four or five. Witness believed they were defendant's
father's. Defendant was coursing with them. Witness was
coursing with him. The defendant had invited him to go.
Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant HuLLoc K.—Mr. Peacock
was there. Witness refused to go unless a-qualified man went
with them. Mr. Peacock being a qualified man, he had con-

sented to go;
Mr. Harrison, being called for the plaintiff,, was examined
upon the vair dire by Mr". Serjeant Hu LLOCK.
This is your action, Mr. Harrison ?--It is not, Sir.
What you tell me that you did not employ Mr. Jen-
.
. .

nines ? —I did not. what I
. .
Upon your oath ? would not say as a, gentleman
will not say upon my oath.
I know you, would, not. Upon your oath, then, and upon
your word as a gentleman, did you not undertake to indemnify
your servant ?—1 should be sorry if the action were to go against
Donald Duff, to see him injured.
I thought so. I',ou employ Mr. Jennings as your attorney ?

—I do. . •
' Mr. SCARLET T.—We shall not examine you, Mr. Harrison.
Mr. Calvert produced the writs from the Court of Exchequer.
James Whitty, servant of the defendant's father, saw the de-
fendant calling.tive greyhounds out of a plantation. They had
been pursuing either a rabbit or a hare, he did not know which.
He did see it, but he could not tell which it was. He was
gamekeeper. He knew a rabbit from a hare:
• By Mr. Serjeant flut.r.ocK.—He was far off. Th,cy gene-
rally called dogs out of a plantation.
By Mr. SCARLET T.—Did you think he had gone with the
five greyhounds to market ?—I think he would not have taken
five to course with.
Mr. Serjeant Hu ',Loci( addressed the Jury.—Thev had
heard fromhoisse LleaaNrvns.ed
.The Learned
id
jeaarn ed characterserioeaf
Serjeant
the
afterwardscod e lawstif
under which this action was brought. They now saw by what
sort of evidence those laws were enforced. lf the laws were ob-
noxious, the object for Which they were to be enforced on the
present occasion was still More obnoxious. Mr. Harrison was
too muck of a man of honour to prostitute his oath, though his
heart and soul wzre in the cause. ' His Learned Friend was not
Much of a sportsman, or he would have found that a turnpikeL
road was not the best coursing-ground. His Learned Friend had
also thought that the more greyhounds were employed the better,-
as hounds were employed in the South. If the game-laws were
not good, why did not his Learned Friend attempt to have them
amended; for they sent him and others to Parliament for the pur-
pose of amending the laws ? The defendant had the misfortune
to live near Driffield, where Mr. Harrison resided, who was fond
of the game laws, and who, he should suppose would not em-
ploy his Learned Friend any longer, after the Character he had
re-
ferred to some cases in ivbieh it was decided that a person with-
, out a qualification might assist in beating the bushes, or take
L an active part with a person duly qualified. He submitted,
therefore, that the defendant was not liable. to 'the penalties
sought.
Mr. Peacock had an estate in the East Riding, of 4001. a
year. Ile was qualified. He was at Pockthorpe, on is. Visit
for some days, with young Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall's father had
not been at home, Mr. 1.14 would not go out to course, as
he 'was afraid of his neighbours: 'Witness told him, if he lent
hit dogs to him, he might be under no apprehension. He' did
so : ' they went out, and coursed.
By Mr. ScAui,ETT—He was not much of a sportsman. He
rode his own horse. They had two couple and a half of grey-
'hounds. He had been aware of the case quoted by the Learned
Serjeant. They killed two or three hares. The sport wasnot
particularly. good.
Mr. SCARLET T replied. He had only mentioned that the
. Game Laws caused much good blood, and. produced great 'ad-
vantages in a variety of ways ; he was therefore become their
warm advocate. At his Lordship's suggestion he gave up the
second case for which the penalty was sought; but he contended
that the first case was established. The preience of Mr. Pea-
Cock was only a colour and protection.
The Loan CHIEF Jusxt cE said the first count was pre-
cisely a question for their deeiiion. Whether Mr. Halt or Mr.
Peacock used the dogs it WfIS for them to say.
Verdict for the defendant.7-It seemed to give great satisfac.
don to all present.