R3/4827

Letter Reads- The Duke has asked Bennett to report the case of George Woods, assistant keeper at Oakley who has been convicted by the Bletsoe Magistrates "in double duty under the game laws" for killing game without a certificate. It was noteworthy because Woods was made to convict hemself when the Surveyor of Taxes obtained a summons for Woods to appear before the Magistrates. The surveyor then stated he had an anonymous letter that Woods had killed game, but with no details. He was required to take an oath that from 5th April last year until the day he was before the magistrates he had not killed game. Woods then stated he could solemnly swear so with the reservation regarding one hare he shot by mistake when shooting rabbit at dusk. The bench at once decided to convict in double duty and costs. The Duke wishes to know if this is law. "Probably it is "Game Law" or "Squires Law" but it appears contrary to the principles of higher courts. Bennett would say there is not an underkeeper in the Kingdom who does not continually get hares in traps set for vermin and they know they will occasionally kill game. Several months ago the Surveyor had said he could and would convict his Grace's underkeepers. Bennet told him there were five men with certificates and no need for under keepers to shoot and he warned head keepers about the Surveyor being on the look out. The Duke saw Perkins and Woods and was satisfied the incident was an accident. The real question is "Can the Government Office oblige a man to convict himself? If so the Squires will have another remedy to prevent poaching". Mr Overman has asked the Duke to accept his eldest son as tenant of the Maulden farm. He is about to marry and his father has been on the look out for somewhere suitable. He would like to leave his son at Maulden and go to Hertfordshire himself for family reasons, and the Duke is satisfied with the reasons. Mrs Chapman's advisers have seen the Duke but can only make out a case for compassion and sympathy, and take a gloomy view of her financial position.

9 Mar 1844

From: 1844 To: 1844

item

Haedy, C,
Bennett,
Woods, George,
Perkins,
Overman,
Chapman

magistrate, rabbits, hares, Game Laws, poaching, letters, WOBURN, Woburn Abbey, OAKLEY, MAULDEN, Hertfordshire