1844. The 7 and 8 Vict. c. 24—_An Act for Abolishing the Offences of Forestalling, Regrating, and Engrossing, and for repealing certain statutes passed in Restraint of Trade_—enacts (section 4) “That nothing in this act shall be construed to apply to the offence of knowingly and fraudulently spreading or conspiring to spread any false rumour, with intent to enhance or decry the Price of any goods or merchandise, or to the offence of preventing or endeavouring to prevent by Force or threats any goods, wares, or merchandise being brought to any Fair or Market, but that every such offence shall be inquired of, tried, and punished as if this act had not been made.” 1847. There was enacted 10 and 11 Vict. c. 14—_An Act for consolidating in One Act certain Provisions usually contained in Acts for Constructing or Regulating Markets and Fairs_—which however was only to extend to such markets or fairs as should be authorised by any Act of Parliament hereafter to be passed, which should declare this Act to be incorporated therewith; and then all clauses of this Act, except so far as they might be varied or excepted from such Act were to apply. The details of this measure will fall to be reviewed more in detail under MARKETS. 1868. There was enacted 31 and 32 Vict. c. 51—_An Act to amend the Laws relating to Fairs in England and Wales_—under which “in case it should appear to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, upon representation duly made to him by the magistrates of any Petty Sessional District, within which any Fair is held, or by the owner of any Fair in England and Wales, that it would be for the convenience and advantage of the Public that any such Fair shall be held in each year on some day or days other than those on which such Fair is used to be held, it shall be lawful for the Secretary of State for the Home Department to order that such Fair shall be held on such other day or days as he shall think fit.” Provided notice of such representation be duly advertised, and also notice of order as therein provided. (See 1873.) An act of the same session (c. 12) gave powers to facilitate the alteration of days upon which and of places at which fairs might be held in _Ireland_. It was upon the same lines as the preceding. Another measure of the same session (c. 106)—_An Act for the Prevention of the holding of unlawful Fairs within the Limits of the Metropolitan Police District_—provides that where any Fair is holden or notice given of any Fair proposed to be holden on any ground within the Metropolitan Police District, other than that on which a Fair has been holden during each of the seven years immediately preceding, it should be competent for the Commissioner of Police to cause inquiry to be made as to right and title to hold such Fair, after the manner provided by the act of 1839. This is designated “The Metropolitan Fairs Act 1868.”