Star.
London, England, 1829-05-12 00:00:00

SALE OP OAMI lIILL.

L ‘rd WHARNCLIFFE said he should now take the
liberty of troubling their Lordships upon a subject to
which he had so often drawn their attention ; and be
confessed that circumstances had occurred during the
last Session which made him think that it would be
even more necessary for the House to take the measure
under their serious consideration, as one which connected
itself with the interests of the country at large. Since
Ithe year 1816 that question was never allowed to be at
rest ; year atter year it was brought before the con.
sideration of Government, and continually agitated in
the other House of Parliament ; and at last a Bill was
brought before the House of Commons which, after a
plenty of time allowed for its consideration, and the
principle, which before was well known, had been dis-
cussed, was sent up to their Lordships without one din.
seating voice. In point of fact, the Bill which was sent
up to the House the Session before the present, if it met
with any opposition at all, was, at least, but very little
opposed ; and this he considered one reason to account
for the present Bill having met with Done. It would
be reinemberei 'that last Session their Lordships passed
a Bill for making an alteration in the existing laws re-
specting Game. In the progress of the present Bill
through the House of Commons he (Lord aracliffe)
had urged the persons who brought it forward there
not to hurry it through, and not to send it up to their
Lordships House while they were engaged in a mat-
sun of so much greater importance, which occupied
their Lordships' attention almost exclusively up to a
late period. Still he felt that there were considerable
difficuloes in getting them even now to pay attention to
it. Whenever the subject was talked of, it appeared to be
considered one not fit for the interference of his Majesty's
Ministers, not deserving of their attention. It was
looked upon as a subject only worthy the interference
of private Gentlemen, and only affecting them. But
hi thought he might venture to say that there was no
subject which entered so constantly into the daily com-
fort of the people of this country than did this. He
would for a moment look back to the present state of
the country, and endeavour to trace bow far and in
what way it was affected by the existing laws. He bad
said that year after year attempts had been made to
bring about the measure which it was the object of this
Bill to effect. Their Lordships had constantly received
Bills from the House of Commons, but they had re-
jected these Bills. And what did they substitute in
their place? Why, they enacted laws, which were sys-
tematically broken, and, in spite of all their efforts,
offences were committed, and crimes repeated, which
not only in themselves were illegal and injurious, but
gave rise to much more evil, by leading to nightly at-
tacks and depredations. la order to ascertain the state
of the country upon this point, and to show to their
Lordships how its Interests were involved in it, he had,
a short time since, moved for certain documents; and,
after he had read those documents. he should feel him.
self justified in calling upon their Lordships to enact a
measure which would have the effect of changing the
state of the country. A few weeks ago lie moved for a
return of the persons committed for trial, and convicted
at the last Spring Assizes, in the several counties of
England and Wales, under the Night Poaching Act,
and he found. by the return. that the number of per-
sons convicted under that Act, during the Lent Assizes
alone. were 214, twenty-nine of whom, being indicted
for shooting at or wounding gamekeepers, received
sentence of death, one was sentenced to transpoita-
doe for life, fourteen for a period of fourteen years.
and twenty for minor periods. Now, that was a
state of things which ought not to be continued.
It would be idle to tell him to shut his eyes and
stand still. He knew. an argument would be egged
against it. It would be said, all is very woe; many
persons have been convicted, and for that reason let us
wait until we see how that Act will operate; but be
would say, look to the state of the country before that
Act was passed, and what change had been effected.
fhe obj• ct of that Act was, to alter the former Act,
that, whether a person went out himself, or sent others
sot, he became subject to transportation; but the real
tact was, that the country had before that come to a
determination to set every law at defiance. Those of.
fences must increase in spite of the law. If the gentry
of the country would have game, it was out of the
power of human nature to prevent them. He might.
perhaps, be asked. how, then, would he prevent poach-
ing ?. He would ask their Lordships how, in other
branches of the Legislature, in cases similar to that, had
they acted ? How did they set about preventing smug
,ding but by removing the heavy duties? Was it not
the very way. he asked them, tn act in this instance?
Let the market be Is ft open to the poacher, endeavour
,o meet the poacher in the market, and then they would
one to even terms with trim. The dreadful effects
list winterlsd shown 'ins • hat c aid be dune to