LAW EELATING TO GlPST AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. 



[CHAP. 381.] 



AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR SUPPRESSING THE GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL 



MOTHS. 



Be it enacted, etc., as follows: 



SECTION 1. For the purposes of this act the pupas, nests, eggs and 

 caterpillars of the gypsy and brown tail nioths and said moths are hereby 

 declared public nuisances, and their suppression is authorized and re- 

 quired ; but no owner or occupant of an estate infested by such nuisance 

 shall by reason thereof be liable to an action, civil or criminal, except to 

 the extent and in the manner and form herein set forth. 



SECTION 2. The governor, by and with the consent of the council, 

 shall appoint a sitperintendent for suppressing the gypsy and brown tail 

 moths and shall determine his salary. The governor may, with the con- 

 sent of the council, remove said superintendent at any time for such 

 cause as he shall deem sufficient. In case of the death, removal or resig- 

 nation of the superintendent the governor shall forthwith appoint a suc- 

 cessor. On or before the third Wednesday in January in each year the 

 superintendent shall make a report of his proceedings to the general court, 

 which shall be a public document and shall be printed. Said report shall 

 separate so far as is practicable the expenditures on work against the 

 gypsy moth from those on work against the brown tail moth in each city 

 and town. 



SECTION 3. The said superintendent shall act for the Commonwealth 

 in suppressing said moths as public nuisances, in accordance with the 

 provisions of this act. For this purpose he shall establish an office and 

 keep a record of his doings and of his receipts and expenditures, and may 

 make rules and regulations. He may employ such clerks, assistants and 

 agents, including expert advisers and inspectors, as he may deem neces- 

 sary and as shall be approved by the governor. He may make contracts 

 on behalf of the Commonwealth ; may act in co-operation with any person, 

 persons, corporation or corporations, including other states, the United 

 States or foreign governments ; may conduct investigations and accumu- 

 late and distribute information concerning said moths ; may devise, use 

 and require all other lawful means of suppressing or preventing said 

 moths ; may lease real estate when he deems it necessary, and, with the 

 approval of the board in charge, may use any real or personal property of 



