§ MR. HANDEL COSSHAM (Bristol, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a Report inserted in The Daily News of 13th April, by which it appears that Mr. Robert Gosling, J.P., of Hassbury, insisted on riding over fences and across land in the occupation of Mr. Sworder with his hounds, after having received. repeated notices not to do so; whether, on being summoned before the magistrates of Had-ham for this offence, they refused to try the case, or to give Mr. Sworder any redress; and, whether he will call the attention of the Lord Chancellor to the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have received a Report from the Justices in this case. They did not refuse to try the case, hut gave it a most careful hearing. The summons was under the Malicious Injuries to Property Act; but it appeared from Mr. Sworder's own evidence that there was no malicious intent, and that the actual damage done did not exceed one farthing. I see no reason to interfere in the matter. The case was reduced on the facts proved to one of mere trespass, over which the magistrates have no jurisdiction.