The Agricultural Holdings (^England) Act, 1883. 57 
tenants wished to take to the goods at a valuation ; as a rule, 
appraisement was " only useful to hang a charge upon." * It 
was also said to involve considerable abuse and extortion, and 
the landlord was liable to the tenant in such cases. f The Com- 
mittee therefore recommended that appraisement previous to 
sale should be omitted ; and, with a view to some supervision 
over this class of officials, they were of opinion " that bailiffs 
should be approved by the County Court Judge of the district 
in which they act, and be subject to removal by him for 
extortion or misconduct." 
Agreeably to these suggestions, § 50 repeals the Act of 1(389 
as to the appraisement of goods distrained before sale, and 
further provides, with a view to secure better prices, that 
the goods may be removed to a public auction-room, or other 
fit and proper place, and sold there. This was another recom- 
mendation of the Select Committee. If the tenant wishes the 
goods to be removed, he must make a written request to this 
effect, and pay the expenses of removal, and of any damage 
done in removing the goods. 
Bailiffs to he appointed by the County Court. — The second 
portion of the Committee's recommendation just given is 
carried into effect by § 52, which provides that after January 1, 
1884, all bailiffs entitled to levy distress on any holdings to 
which the Act applies must be appointed in writing by the 
County Court Judges, who are required to choose a competent 
number of fit and proper persons to act in this capacity ; and 
these bailiffs may be summarily dismissed, if proved guilty of 
extortion or other misconduct in the execution of their duty. 
There is good reason why this class of persons, in town as well 
as in country, should be held responsible for abuse of their 
authority ; but § 52 deals only with holdings under the Act. 
Extension of Time to Replevy at Request of Tenant (§ 51). — 
The Act of 1689, already quoted, allowed a tenant five days for 
replevying. The Select Committee were of opinion that the time 
during which a bailiff might remain in possession should be 
extended to fifteen days, and that no sale should take place 
sooner if the tenant desired this delay. Section 51 accordingly 
provides that, in holdings to which the Act applies, tenants 
may replevy goods and chattels distrained during this extended 
time of fifteen days, but they must make a written request to 
the landlord, or other person levying the distress, and also give 
security for any additional costs incurred through any delay of 
the sale. If both parties concur, the goods and chattels dis- 
* Keport of Committee on Law of Distress ; evidence of Mr. E. L. Cave, 
Eolicitor, pp. 101, 193. 
t -^^'•1 evidence of Sir Henry Jame^, p. 19G. 
