§ MR. P. A. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the case of Thomas Griffiths, of Cymer, near Pontypridd, at present undergoing a sentence of three months' imprisonment with hard labour, (under an old Act of Parliament), for fraudulently and clandestinely removing his goods to prevent a distress for rent, the said removal having been (it is alleged) made openly at mid-day, and after an arrangement had been made with the wife of his landlord sanctioning such removal, on condition of his paying the rent by instalments of 5s. per week; and whether, if the facts are as alleged, he will cause the remainder of the punishment to be remitted?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, that this was a matter over which the magistrates had perfect jurisdiction, because an offence was undoubtedly committed under the Statute 10 Geo. II. c. 19. There could be no doubt that the evidence which was presented to the magistrates justified them in giving the opinion which they did. The point about the payment of 5s. a-week seemed not to be supported by the evidence. The magistrates thought that it was right that two months should be given to the man either to appeal to Quarter Sessions or to pay the money. He 833 neither appealed nor paid the money, and it was only after two months had elapsed that the commitment took effect. The magistrates had, however, no desire to be severe, and half the punishment would be remitted.