Altering the Calendar.—1751. Under 24 Geo. II. c. 23—An Act for Regulating the Commencement of the Year; and for correcting the Calendar now in use, it was provided Section 4 (inter alia) that the terms for holding and keeping of all markets, fairs and marts, “whether for the sale of Goods or Cattle, or for the hiring of Servants, or for any other purpose, wʰ are either fixed to certain nominal days of the month, or depending upon the beginning, or any certain day of any month, & all Courts incident & belonging to, or usually holden or kept with any such Fairs or Marts, should be holden & kept upon or according to the same natural days upon or according to wʰ the same shᵈ have been so kept or holden in case this act had not been made.”
This act was amended by 25 Geo. II. c. 30, which enacted that all such events as before enumerated were to take place “according to the new Calendar.”
CHAPTER VI.
MODERN LEGISLATION.
1839-1874.
In the 2nd and 3rd Vict. c. 47—An Act for the Further Improving the Police in and near the Metropolis—it is provided that Inquiries may be made regarding Fairs within the Metropolitan Police District, alike as to the authority to hold such Fair, and also as to the time during which it may be holden. If the authority for holding the Fair be doubtful the owner or occupier of the ground may be summoned to show his right and title to hold such Fair: and if the Fair be declared unlawful, then Booths &c. may be removed. But the owner or occupier by entering into recognizances, may reserve the question of the right or title to hold such Fair, to be tried in the Court of Queen’s Bench—see 1868.
1843. The 6 and 7 Vict. c. 68—An Act for Regulating Theatres—recites “Whereas it is expedient that the Laws now in force for regulating Theatres and Theatrical Performances be repealed, and other Provisions be enacted in their stead.” And section 23 is as follows: And be it enacted that in this act the word “Stage-play” shall be taken to include every Tragedy, Comedy, Farce, Opera, Burletta, Interlude, Melodrama, Pantomime, or other entertainment of the stage, or any part thereof: Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply to any Theatrical Representation in any Booth or Show which by the Justices of the Peace, or other Persons having authority in that behalf, shall be allowed in any lawful Fair, Feast, or customary meeting of the like kind. This act was only to extend to Great Britain.