257 



of the breadth of one foot at the stub, and growing within fourteen miles of the 

 sea or of the River Thames, Severn, Wye, Humber; Dee, Tyne, Tees, Trent, or any 

 other navigable river or creek, under pain of forfeiture of forty shillings for 

 every tree, one moiety to the Crown and the other to the informer, recoverable as 

 before. 



Second of Elizabeth, Chap., 19, is an Act for the preservation of timber iu 

 the wolds of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 



By the 43rd of Elizabeth, Chap., 7, it is enacted that if any idle person cut 

 or spoil any wood or underwood, pales, or trees standing, and be convicted by the 

 oath of one or more witnesses, if they cannot pay the satisfaction required, they 

 shall be whipped. Receivers of wood so cut, knowing it to be so, to incur the 

 same punishment. 



The 2nd. of James L, Chap., 22, is an Act respecting bark, as it relates to 

 tanners, curriers, shoemakers, and others concerned in leather. By Sec. 19, it is 

 enacted, that no person shall contract for oak bark to sell again. By Sec. 20, 

 that no person shall fell or cause to be felled any oak tree meet to be barked, 

 where the bark is worth two shillings a cartload over and above the charges of 

 barking and peeling, timber to be employed in building and repairing houses and 

 mills excepted. but between the first day of April and the last day of June, 

 upon pain of forfeiture of every such oak tree, or double the value thereof. 

 And by Sec. 21, for the better preservation of timber, (which by the takers is 

 spoiled through the desire of gain from the top and lop, or bark of timber trees,) 

 it is therefore enacted, that no taker, purveyor, etc., or their deputies, shall fell 

 for the use of the Crown any oak trees meet to be barked, but in the balking 

 season except for the purposes before mentioned ; or take or receive any profit, 

 gain, or commodity, by any top, or lop, or bark, of any tree, to be taken or cut 

 out of the barking season ; and then only those for the king's house or ships, 

 under pain of forfeiture to the party aggrieved (or on whose ground the tree may 

 be cut) for every tree so felled forty shillings ; and it shall be lawful for every 

 party, of whom such tree shall be taken to retain all the bark, top and lop of the 

 whole of such tree, notwithstanding any commission or other matter. 



The loth of Charles II., Chap. 2, is an Act to render the 43rd of Elizabeth 

 more effective ;' and it enacts further punishment, on account that the destruction 

 of wood tends to destroy the Commonwealth. It is therein declared that the 

 officers of justice may apprehend even on suspicion of having carried, or in any- 

 way conveyed any burden or bundle of wood of any kind, underwood, poles, 

 young trees, bark, or bast of any tree, gate, stile, post, rail or hedge-row wood, 

 broom or firs, etc. 



Chap. 3, of the 19th of Charles II., is an Act for the increase and preserva- 

 tion of timber in the forest of Dean. Eleven thousand acres are directed to be 

 enclosed. Commissioners may sell decayed trees, to make good and maintain 

 the said enclosures. When and how much shall be laid open, and by what 

 authority as much shall be enclosed and has been opened, is declared. Wood fit 

 for sale must be viewed and marked by the justices. Cutting wood contrary to 

 this Act subjects the party offending to the penalties mentioned in former Acts. 

 The enclosed land to be all re-aflorested. All estates made out of it to any 

 person whatever to be null and void. The king may retain game of deer, but 

 not above eight hundred. 



Proviso, for owners, tenants, and occupiers : Former offences remitted ; pan- 

 nage shall be re-enjoyed after Michaelmas, 1687 ; and when and in what manner all 

 privileges to be enjoyed. Letters patent for certain woods and iron works saved. 

 Coal mines and grindstone quarries may be leased. 



17 (F.) 



