The New Game Bill is come...
The Times, 1824-03-24T00:00:00

The New Game Bill is come out of the Comnlittee. It is not likely that our objecdons, were they even stronger to it, shorld have much weight at present, though they will be felt, and must, we shoultl hope, be remedied here- after. However, we will frankly confess, that we view the experiment -with more indulgence at present than wvhen it wSs first offered to our observation. The introductory clauses repeal all such parts of the laws now in force for the preservation of game, as restrain unqualified persons from klilngor having game in their possession; and also sucll parts of any acts as prohibit the buying or selling of game. But stil the bill is of a somewvhat feudal and aris- tocratic nature: it vests the game in the land-owner as property, and theR, as it were, passes it over the head of the tenant, from the landlord to the new ganme-dealer. The tenant cannot arrest it, or touch it in transitu. Thus is a connexion or intercourse, established between the higher and the lowver classes, and the middling orders are left out. The person most competent to the preservation or destruc- tion of the game, is the occupant of the land; and there is no interest created for him in this bill. If he possess garae, he must purcbase it like the village shop-keeper. Now, as we do not perceive that any very active provisions are made in the bill for suppressing the trade of the poacher, except it be by the justly severe clause against pursuing garne by night, and as the tenant is the most likely to deteet the caitiff, it would have been wise to have given him wome portion of interest in the property to be preservad. Game ii ill be sold publicly, anc the poacher rnay therefore help to supply the licensed dealers. The word " Game" shall be - deemed and taken to includle and mean hares, partridges, pheasants, black game, grouse, heath and moor game." We subjoin two of the forms of the bill, by which our country readers will gather more respeeting the provisions whiich relate to the sale of game than by a long explanation. The first is the fonr of the licence to sell game; the next, that of the recognizance which the dlealer in game must procure. FORM OF LICENCE. At a Smions of Justices of the peace acting in ad for [as t.x case mal b in the connty of holden at oz the sdav of X 'e, being Justices acting in and tor the said assembled at the said seesions, Do herebv authorize and empower A. B. of [tnsert name and reriden-e and other necessary description ; or, C. D. and E. F. beie,partnersl being a householder, and not being an inn-keeper, tavern-keeper, victualler. owner or dIriver of any stage-coach, cara- I van, waggon, van, or other public conveyance, luggler or carrier, or in the enployoment of any of the above described persons, or a mail- gaurd. or miDl-coachman, for the space of next ensuing the date hereof, and no longer, to buy game of' or from any person or persons being licensed te sell game, or of or from any person enni titled to the propertv in game under an Act passed in the fifth year of the reign of Mls present Majesty, entitled 'An Act' (insert the titk of this Acil, and who shall hare taken out a game certificate for the current year, and to sell gamne so purclhased. This licence expires and deermmines at the expiration of from this day of (Signied) FORM OF RECOGNIZANCE. At a Sessions of Justices of the Peace, acting in and for [as the ease mag liel in the countv of on the day of J. S. of Liusert here nunze, residence. .&rd othcr .ecessrvri descriptioa of thle person upptyibig for ?icencrl acktowled,res I hirmZeQ'] to be inidebted to our F'overeign Lord the Rine. in the sum ot pounds, an<' E. F. of and G. If. of respeceieely acknowled'e themselves to be indebted to our Sovereign Lord th; Jling, in titesum of pounds each, to be levied tpOD their seretal good, and chattels, lands and tenements, by"*tY of Rerog nizaicwe, to His, Maiesty, His Heirs and Su condi tnon that. for and during the Continuatnce ,C-d Licence to buyand sell iarec, under certain restnction. ft from tihe date hereof, franted to the said .1. Y. e said J. S. bc not a tavern- keener. inn-keeper, or 1-ictap-- t'r proprietor oc owner or driver ot wStg agion avar, van orother publiccePr,vcvaice, hizlaer or carrier. or ii, Ine emploympent of any of the above tie- eitbed persons, or , -lial-guard or Iail-coachmian and dlo not buy or proc-ure oTr rcv-e for ,31e. any hare, pheasant, partridge, moor. r.eath gz-ji, grouse, of or troln ny anerson or persons wltoinsoever, excepn sicts as shall be liceused to seli t4ame, or a shiall be entitled o tb!' prooeriv in ramn u der an Act pu"sed in the year -, the ren of flis uresent Maiesty, entitled X An Art' I infsert th< ,tke .f thi .ctl, ana who shall haive taken OtIt a gaame certitieate for s"e current year, and do not sell, or expose. or offer for sale, anv 4are, pheasant. parridge. n'.oor, heathgarleoryrouse, exeptsuclh ass .hall have beedn bougit or procured, or received. of or fronm sorni person or persons being licensed to sell zatne. or as sh311 be entitled ts .te proPertv in game as afbres.aid, and wbo shall have taken out s Kwmne certtc'tcate as aforetaid: then this rec:ognizancc to be void. or else to remain in full f'c-cc-