326 



A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE GAME LAWS. 



Qualification. Either a freehold, copyhold, or an equitable estate of 

 inheritance of the annual value of 100/. in the party's own right, 

 or that of his wife ; or a life estate, or leasehold property for at 

 least 99 years, of the annual value of 1 50/. But heirs apparent 

 of esquires ; persons of higher degree than that of esquire ; 

 lords of manors, owners and keepers of forests, chases, parks, 

 and warrens; as also gamekeepers duly authorised by lords of 

 manors, or other royalties, not under the degree of an esquire ; 

 may take and kill game without any qualification as to es- 

 tate; (stat. 22 and 23 Cha. II. c. 25; 5 Ann, c. 14 ; 48 Geo. 

 III. c. 95.) And the 54 Geo. III. c, 141, does not require 

 any qualification from persons aiding and assisting qualified 

 persons in taking or killing game, provided that the act of 

 aiding and assisting be done in the company or presence, and 

 for the use, of such qualified persons, See 16 East's Rep. 

 49, and 15 Ibid, 460. Penalty for taking or killing game 

 without qualification,5/. for each offence; (5 Ann c. 14. The 

 like penalty is imposed on unqualified persons keeping or using 

 dogs and engines for taking game, (Ibid.) 



Certificate'Duty, 51. 15s. 6d. fora qualified person ; 51. 13s.6rf. for every 

 gamekeeper not being a servant assessed to the duty on ser- 

 vants ; and \l. 5s. for every gamekeeper duly registered as game* 

 keeper. Penalty for taking or killing game without certificate, 

 201. and certificate-duty, (52 Geo. III.c. 93.) 



But no certificate is requisite to take snipes and woodcocks in net or 

 springs, or rabbits, in enclosed grounds by the proprietors or occupiers 

 thereof. 



Collectors of taxes, owners and occupiers of lands, &c. gamekeepers* 

 and persons assessed to the game duty, may demand of others using a 

 dog, gun, &c. to produce their certificate ; refusal to comply, or pro- 

 ducing a false certificate, or giving a false name and place of residence, 

 or place of assessment, incurs a penalty of 20/. (48 Gco. III. c, 55.) 



