|
|
Boats with more than Six Oars, licensed previous to the passing of this Act, may be purchased by the Commissioners of Customs.
Value of Boats how to be ascertained.
|
VII. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act it shall and may be lawful for the Commissioners of His Majesty’s Customs in England and Scotland respectively, and they are hereby authorized, whenever it may appeal expedient so to do, to purchase any Boat, Wherry, Pinnace, Barge, or Galley, rowing or made or built to row with more than Six Oars, which may have been licensed previous to the passing of this Act; and the Owner and Owners of every such Boat, Wherry, Pinnace, Barge, or Galley shall, and he and they is and are hereby required to sell and dispose of his or their Interest therein to the said Commissioners respectively, at a fair Valuation, to be ascertained by the Oaths of Two disinterested and indifferent Persons skilled in the Value of small Vessels, or Craft of the like Description, one of such Persons to be nominated by the said Commissioners respectively, and the other by the Owner or Owners of the Boat, Wherry, Pinnace, Barge, or Galley intended to be purchased; and in case of Disagreement as to the Value, the Persons so nominated shall call in a Third disinterested and indifferent Person; such Two Persons and such Third Person to be paid any Sum which may be reasonable by the Owner of such Boat or other Vessel, and by the said Commissioners, in equal Moieties, and the Determination as to the Value of any Two such Persons, or of such Third Person so called in, shall be binding and conclusive upon all Parties; and after Payment being made to the Owner or Owners of the Sum so ascertained to be the Value of such Boat, Wherry, Pinnace, Barge, or Galley, the Property shall vest in His Majesty; and the Owner or Owners shall, and he and they is and are hereby required to deliver such Boat, Wherry, Pinnace, Barge, or Galley to any Officer or Officers of the Customs appointed to receive the same by the Order and Direction of the said Commissioners respectively; or in case of Refusal on the Part of such Owner or Owners to receive the Amount of the Purchase Money, such Boat, Wherry, Pinnace, Barge or Galley shall and may be seized and taken Possession of by any such Officer as the Property of His Majesty.
|
