HC Deb 22 May 1865 vol 179 c716

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clauses 1 to 20, inclusive, agreed to with Amendments.

Clause 21 (Penalty for refusing to produce Licence.)

MR. COGAN

said, that under this clause the police would have the power to inquire of any person passing along the street accompanied by a dog whether a licence had been taken out for the dog. He considered the provision arbitrary and inquisitorial, and moved that the clause be omitted.

SIR ROBERT PEEL

said, he did not think any hardship likely to arise from the working of the clause. The same regulation existed in the case of sporting dogs.

COLONEL DICKSON

said, he did not see that any greater hardship would be inflicted in a case of this kind than in the case of a man out with a sporting dog.

SIR COLMAN O'LOGHLEN

said, that as the clause was now worded the owner of every dog must carry the licence about with him.

Question put, "That Clause 21, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

The Committee divided:—Ayes 46; Noes 16: Majority 30.

Clause agreed to.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

MR. COGAN

wished to enter his protest against the Bill, as being of a most arbitrary character. Seeing several other clauses on the paper to be brought up, which he considered of a very extraordinary character, he moved that the Chairman report Progress.

Several hon. Members who had given notice of new clauses having stated that they would withdraw their Motions rather than the Bill should be postponed,

Schedule and Preamble agreed to.

House resumed.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered To-morrow.