|
|
Spoiling or destroying timber or fruit tree, young trees or shoots, without consent of owner,
assisting,
possessing without satisfactory account,
fixing branches (save holly, &c.) in church,
on 1 witness penalty not above 5l. with charges,
on nonpayment committed not above 6 months.
|
II. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from and after the first day of May one thousand seven hundred and seventy six every person, who hall wilfully cut down or break down, bark, burn, pluck up, lop, top, or otherwise damage, spoil, or destroy, any timber tree, or fruit tree, or any young trees or shoots, or any part thereof, without the consent of the owner or owners thereof first had and obtained, or who shall be aiding or assisting in so doing, or who shall have in his, her, or their possession any timber tree, or any kind of wood, under wood, poles, sticks of wood, shoots or young trees, shrubs, plants, or roots, and shall not give a satisfactory account, that he, she, or they came fairly and honestly by the same, or who shall fix up in any church or chapel the green branches of any tree or shrub, or any part of any tree or shrub, having the leaves on it, except holly, bay, laurastina, yew, or ivy, and shall be thereof convicted upon the oath of any one credible witness before any one of his Majesty’s justices of the peace within his jurisdiction, shall for every such offence forfeit and pay such sum of money, not exceeding five pounds, as to such justice shall seem meet, together with the charges previous to and attending such conviction, to be ascertained by such justice who shall convict the offender, and upon nonpayment thereof such justice shall commit such offender to the common gaol, or house of correction of such county by warrant under his hand and seal, there to remain without bail or mainprize for any time not exceeding six months, or until the said penalty and charges shall be paid.
|
