§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ SIR ALEXANDER GORDON,in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, at that hour of the afternoon it was hopeless to attempt to make a speech—he had only time to say that the necessity for legislation on this question had been acknowledged by the Government when a Bill was discussed which had already been read a second time. The present Bill consisted of a single clause, to enable the tenants of arable lands to kill hares and rabbits on the farms in their possession. It left the winged game wholly untouched. It left the right of killing winged game with the landlords as it at present existed; but it proposed to give the tenants what was called a "joint right" to kill hares and rabbits on the landlords' property, each tenant on his own farm. The object of doing this was to give the farmers an interest in preserving the game. By so doing they would become the best game preservers for the landlords, whereas now they encouraged poachers to destroy the game.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Sir Alexander Gordon.)
§ SIR WILLIAM EDMONSTONEwas addressing the House in opposition to the second reading, when— It being a quarter of an hour before Six of the clock, the Debate stood adjourned till To-morrow.