GOLD COAST REPORT ON FORESTS. 203 



Power to Constitute Reserves. 



4. It shall be lawful for the Governor to constitute any of the following 

 lands reserves, namely : 



(i) Lauds at the disposal of Government ; 



(ii) Lands acquired by agreement under section 5 (i) hereof ; and 

 (iii) Lands in and over which the Governor has acquired by agreement the 

 rights referred to in section 5 (ii) hereof. 



Acquisition of Lands and Rights by Agreement. 



5. It shall be lawful for the Governor to acquire by agreement from any 

 Natives or Native communities owning the same : 



(i) Any lands upon which trees and forest produce or any kinds thereof 

 are growing or which are suitable for the production of trees and 

 forest produce, together with such rights and powers as are necessary 

 or expedient for the use and enjoyment of such lands and subject to 

 such rights and reservations as are set forth or referred to in the 

 agreement, for the use or benefit of the owners of the lands or any 

 other persons ; and 



(ii) The right to take timber and collect forest produce or any kinds 

 thereof specified in the agreement, together with such additional rights 

 and powers as may be necessary and advantageous for the exercise, 

 enjoyment and continuance of the said rights by the Governor or his 

 licensees, and subject to such rights and reservations as are set forth 

 or referred to in the agreement for the use or benefit of the owners of 

 the lands or any other persons. 



Notification of Intention to Create Reserve and Appointment of Reserve Settlement 



Commissioner. 



6. (a) When it is proposed to constitute any lands a forest reserve a notice 

 shall be published in the Gazette, 



(i) Specifying as nearly as may be the situation and limits of the lands ; 

 (ii) Declaring whether the lands are lands at the disposal of the Govern- 

 ment, or lauds acquired by the Governor, or land in respect of which 

 the Governor has acquired rights under the provisions of this 

 Ordinance ; 



(iii) Declaring that it is intended to constitute such lands a forest reserve, 

 either for the general purposes of Government or for the particular 

 use and benefit of the Native community within the limits of whose 

 occupation the reserve is situated ; 



(iv) Appointing an officer, hereinafter referred to as the Reserve Settle- 

 ment Commissioner, to enquire into and determine the existence, 

 nature and extent of any rights claimed by or alleged to exist in 

 favour of any persons or communities or brought to the knowledge of 

 the said Commissioner affecting the lands or the rights in or over the 

 lands which it is proposed to constitute a reserve. 



(b) If owing to absence, illness or any other cause the Reserve Settlement 

 Commissioner appointed under this section is unable to perform his duties, 

 the Governor by notice published in the Gazette may appoint any person to 

 act on his behalf or in succession to him. 



(f) Any notice published under this section may be varied, amended or revoked 



Notice of Enquiry. 



7. Upon publication of the notice aforesaid the Reserve Settlement Com- 

 missioner shall immediately cause the particulars contained therein to be made 

 known in the districts or district in which the lauds ate situated by causing the 

 same to be read, and interpreted in the local Native language at the next meeting 

 of every Native Court in the said districts or district, and also by orally 

 informing the Chiefs of every community dwelling on or near the lauds afore- 

 said, and shall also fix and in the manner aforesaid make a period within which 

 and a place to or at which any person or community claiming any right affecting 

 the lands or the rights over the lands which it is proposed to constitute a 

 reserve shall either send in written statement of his or their claim to the 

 Reserve Settlement Commissioner or appear before him and state orally the 

 nature and extent of their alleged rights. 



