THE LAND LAW 243 



Art. 17. — Until the period prescribed in the 

 last preceding Article has elapsed, it is expressly 

 forbidden to such native occupier to have re- 

 course to the mode of justification of ownership 

 referred to in Article 595 of the Civil Code, and 

 likewise to alienate, exchange, mortgage or lease 

 the ground thus occupied ; such land cannot 

 even be attached or seized under legal warrant. 

 Sub-section. — Any contract entered into by 

 natives in contravention of the terms of 

 this Article shall be null and void. The 

 Registrars of Deeds shall refuse to register 

 any titles embodying such contracts, and 

 the notary responsible for the drawing 

 up of the said contracts shall become 

 subject to dismissal, the parties who 

 suffer loss or damage retaining, notwith- 

 standing such dismissal, the right to claim 

 from such notary an indemnity for any loss 

 or damage sustained. 

 Art. 18. — Any native absenting himself to- 

 gether with all his family or ceasing to culti- 

 vate the ground in his occupation for more than 

 one whole year shall lose the right to continue 

 to occupy the same, such land therefore being 

 considered free. 



Sub -section. — In all cases of absence for 

 periods of more than 90 days notifica- 



