STATUTES, PKOCLAMATIONS, KTJLES, OKDEKS, ETC. 945 



XXIII. And it is hereby further enacted by the authority afore- 

 said, that if any person or persons sjiall, at any time or times, be 

 sued or prosecuted for any thing by him or them done or executed 

 in pursuance of, or by colour of this Act, or of any matter or thing 

 in this Act contained, such action or prosecution shall be commenced 

 within the space of three months after the offence shall have been 

 committed; and in case the person or persons making such seizure 

 as aforesaid shall have quitted the said Island of Newfoundland 

 before the expiration of three months from the time of the offence 

 committed, then that such action or prosecution shall be commenced 

 within three months after his or their return to Great Britain; and 

 such person or persons shall and may plead the general issue, and 

 give this Act and the special matter in evidence for his and their 

 defence, and that the same was done in prosecution and by authority 

 of the said Act: And if it shall appear so to have been done, then 

 the court shall adjudge and decree, or the jury shall find, in the 

 courts of Great Britain or Newfoundland respectively, for the de- 

 fendant or defendants; and if the plaintiff shall be nonsuited, or 

 discontinue his action, libel, or other proceedings in the courts of 

 Great Britain or Newfoundland, after the defendant or defendants 

 hath or have appeared, or if judgment shall be given upon any 

 verdict or demurrer against the plaintiff, the defendant or defendants 

 shall recover treble costs, and have the like remedy for the same 

 as the defendant or defendants hath or have in other cases by law. 



XXIV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 

 that all and every the fines or penalties inflicted by this Act, or by 

 the Acts herein before recited, and to be levied upon the seamen 

 or fishermen, except those for neglect of duty; and that such ships, 

 vessels, or goods, as shall be seized, condemned, and forfeited as 

 before mentioned, except such the distribution whereof is otherwise 

 directed by this Act, shall be given, one moiety to the informer, and 

 the other moiety to the Governor of Newfoundland for the time 

 being, to be applied, under the direction of such governor, in defray- 

 ing the passages home of such person or persons as by this or any 

 former Act are directed to be sent back to the country to which 

 they belong. 



XXV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That 

 so much of the said recited Act of the fifteen year of the Reign of 

 his Present Majesty, as gives any Jurisdiction to the Court of Vice 

 Admiralty for the said island of Newfoundland with respect to 

 enquiring into and determining disputes concerning the Wages of 

 any Seamen or Fishermen, or any Offence committed by any Hirer 

 or Employer of such Seamen or Fishermen, or any Controversies or 

 Differences arising from their Contracts or Agreements, shall be, 

 and the same is hereby repealed. 



XXVI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That 

 all and every the Clauses, Matters, and things in the said herein- 

 before recited Acts contained, which are not altered or repealed by 

 this present Act, shall continue and remain in full force. 



