[207] In 1840 the Act was amended, and a separate Police rate levied, by 3 & 4 Vict., c. 38.
[208] In the year 1842, the Criminal Jurisdiction of Courts of Quarter Sessions, which hitherto had been competent to deal with all offences except treason, was limited by 5 & 6 Vict. c. 38, which removes murder, capital felony and some other offences from the cognizance of the Justices. In the metropolis, at the same time, much criminal business was transferred from Justices of the Peace to Stipendiary Magistrates. This was due rather to the increase of commitments consequent upon an improved police, than to any implied incompetence of the Courts. In 1896 Quarter Sessions were again empowered to try Burglary cases (59 & 60 Vict. c. 57), and a further extension, or rather restoration, of the powers exercised by Justices in Quarter Sessions is understood to be now (1901) under consideration.
[209] 5 & 6 Vic. c. 109—amended by 13 & 14 Vic. c. 20.
[210] 10 Geo. iv. c. 97.
[211] See 1st Report 1853 Select Committee, p. 137.
[212] Those landowners who gave evidence before the Select Committee in 1853 were almost unanimous in their testimony that the value of property had increased in counties where rural police forces had been established.—See second Report, 1853 Committee, §§ 2770, 2792, and 2793.
[213] See ante p. [102], Chapter VI.
[214] See Second Report 1853 Committee, pp. 151, 152.
[215] 19 & 20 Vic., c. 69.
[216] 2 & 3 Vict., c. 47.