The Sun. — 1848-06-07 (London, England)

GAME CERTIFICATES FOR KILLING HARES BILL. On the order of the day being read for considering the report on this Bill, Mr. ELLIOT moved the insertion of a clause to the effect that a tenant should have power to grant written permission to kill hares on their farms. The amendment gave rise to a long discussion in which Captain llAlms and others took part. Mr. BOURKE said he was opposed not only to the clause but the Bill altogether, and he warned the landed interest of that House, that, if this Bill passed, it would ultimately lead to the utter annihilation of the gamelaws.—(Hear, hear.) In fact this Bill proposed nothing more nor less than to establish free trade in hares, and he should not be at all surprised if next year the Honourable Member for Manchester came forward to extend the principle to partridges, pheasants, and indeed any and every description of game. The amendment was ultimately withdrawn. Mr. COLVILE moved that in clause one the words "by any means, save as hereinafter excepted," be omitted. Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY gave notice that on the third reading he should move the insertion of several clauses, and took the opportunity of stating that the Bill would confer no boon upon the tenants, inasmuch as the landlords would take good care that the provisions of this Bill should never be put in force. Colonel SIBTHORP admitted that tenants suffered much from the injuries done to their farms by hares, but he submitted that the better way to deal with that difficulty was not to give them power to kill the hares, which, in his opinion, was no boon at all, but to provide that the landlord should make good the damage done by the game in the shape of compensation to the tenant. Mr. H. BERKELEY said be was a free•trader, and he desired to see free-trade in game as well as in everything else, and would support the right of every man to kill the game which he bred. He considered, however, that great mischief would result from giving power to tenants to destroy game by fire-arms, because murder had frequently been committed through the use of that instrument, whereas no danger attended the use of snares. After a few observations from some other Hon. Members, the House divided, when there appeared— For the omission Against it ... 22 Majority —ss Mr. ELLIOT moved that atter the word " certificate,' in the third clause, the following words be added " ex. cepting the proprietors of the said greyhounds, beagles, or other hounds," which amendment would have the effect of compelling persons who kept hounds of their own, for a day's sport occasionally, to pay the tax. After a short discussion, the Hort. MEMBER consented to withdraw his amendment. Sir W. JOLLIFFE moved that after the word "description," in clause 4, the words " by night" be added, and also at the end of clause 6 that the following words be added :--" and the word night' shall be considered and is hereby declared to commence at the expiration of the first hour after sunset, and to conclude at the beginning of the last hour before sunrise." He said the object of his amendment was to prevent the use of firearms at night, which had been attended with the most serious consequences. The House then divided, when there appeared—  For the amendment Against it Majority..... —6o The other clauses were then agreed to. On the motion that the Bill be engrossed, Mr. H. DRUMMOND said he believed he was at liberty to move that the Bill be engrossed that day six monthp.—(Laughter.) He bad great objections to the measure, and he thought it was to be regretted that as much of the time of the House had been wasted upon a matter of so little import. Colonel SIBTHORP said he should oppose the Bill altogether on the third reading. After a desultory discussion upon the general merits iof the Bill, the House divided, when there appeared For the motion Against it Majority The Bill was then ordered to be engrossed. The House resumed and spin resolved itself into Committee upon the