The pawn-broker is required to make entries and give duplicates. If he refuses to deliver up goods pledged within one year, on tender of the money lent and inte rest, a justice is empowered, on conviction, to commit him till the goods be delivered up, or reasonable satis faction be obtained. After the expiration of one year, pawned goods may be sold by public auction ; being ex posed to public view, and catalogues of them published, and two advertisements of sale inserted in some newspa per, at least two days before the first day's sale, under a penalty of 51. to the owner. If pawn brokers receive notice from the owners before the expiration of a year, they are not allowed to dispose of the goods until three months shall have expired from the end of that year. They must enter in their books an account of sales of all goods pawned for more than 10s. ; and, in case of sale, the overplus to be paid upon demand, within three years, to the owner, deducting interest and costs, under a pe nalty, upon refusal, of treble the sum lent, to be levied by distress.
Pawn-brokers are not allowed to purchase goods in their custody, or suffer them to be redeemed for that purpose. They arc not to lend money to any per son appearing to be under the age of twelve years, or intoxicated ; nor to purchase duplicates of other pawn brokers ; nor to buy any goods before eight in the morn ing, and after seven in the afternoon ; nor to receive any goods in pawn before eight in the morning, or after nine at night, between Michaelmas and Lady-day ; nor before seven in the morning, or after ten at night, during the remainder of the year, excepting the evenings of Satur day, and those preceding Good Friday and Christmas day. They are not to carry on the trade on any Sunday,
Good Friday, or Christmas day. Pawn-brokers offend ing against the act, in cases where no penalty is provid ed, shall forfeit 51. for every offence ; and, in all cases, complaint must be made within twelve months. But the act does not extend to pledges for money above 101., nor to persons lending money upon goods at 5 per cent.
Any person who shall fraudulently pawn the goods of another, shall, upon conviction before a justice, forfeit 208. and the value of the goods so pawned ; and, failing to pay, shall be committed to the house of correction for not more than three months, nor less than one. Persons counterfeiting or altering duplicates, may be committed by a justice to the house of correction for a similar pe riod. If any person shall offer to pawn goods, refusing to give a satisfactory account of himself and them ; or if there be reason to suspect that the goods are stolen ; or if any person, not entitled, shall attempt to redeem pawn ed goods, they may be taken before a justice for exami nation ; who, if there appear cause, may commit the of fender, to be dealt with according to law, provided the nature of the offence shall authorise such commitment by any other law ; or otherwise, for a period not exceed ing three months, nor less than one. A justice may also grant a search-warrant, and a peace-officer break open doors, and restore the goods, if found, to the owners. (z)