General Forestry. 



139 



of two years, but they shall be subject to removal at any time at the 

 pleasure of tlie Governor. Such Wardens shall receive such compen- 

 sation for their services as shall be fixed by the State Board of For- 

 estry. Forest Wardens thus appointed shall, before entering upon 

 the duties of their offices, take the proper official oath before the Clerk 

 of the Court of the County in which they reside, after which they shall 

 while holding said office, possess and exercise all the authority and power 

 held and exercised by constables at common law under the statutes of 

 this State, so far as arresting and prosecuting persons for all viola- 

 tions of any of the forest laws or the laws, rules and regulations en- 

 acted or to be enacted for the protection of the State forestry reser- 

 vations, or for the protection of the fish and game contained thei-ein 

 are concerned. 



Sec. 6. — That it shall be the duty of the Forest Wardens to enforce 

 all forest laws of this State, to protect the State Forest Reserves and see 

 that all rules, regulations and laws are enforced; to report any viola- 

 tion of law to the State Forester at the time of its occurrence, to assist 

 in apprehending and convicting offenders, and to make an annual 

 report to him as to forest conditions in their immediate neighbor- 

 hood. When any Forest W^arden shall see or have reported to him 

 a forest fire, it shall be his duty to immediately repair to the seat of 

 the fire and employ such i^ersons and means as in his judgment seem 

 expedient and necessary to extinguish said fire. He shall keep an 

 itemized account of all expenses thus incurred and send such account 

 immediately to the State Forester. He shall have control and direction 

 of all persons and apparatus engaged in extinguishing forest fires. 

 He may siimmon male inhabitants of the county between the ages of 

 18 and 50 years to assist in extinguishing fires, and may also require 

 the use of horses and other property needed for such purpose. Any 

 person so summoned who is physically able, who refuses or neglects to 

 assist, or to allow the use of horses, wagon or other material required, 

 shall be liable to a penalty of ten dollars. No action for trespass shall 

 lie against a Forest Warden, or anyone working under his direction, 

 for entering lands of individuals or corporations for the purpose of 

 extinguishing a fire, plowing furrows, or tearing down fences, or start- 

 ing a backfire to check a fire that may be approaching. 



Sec. 7. — That the expenses incurred in fighting or extinguishing 

 any fire under the direction of the State Forester, or a Forest Ward- 

 en, shall be borne half by the county in which the fire occurred and 

 half by the State, and shall first be payable in full by the County Com- 

 missioners of such county upon the receipt of an itemized account, with 

 vouchers approved by the State Forester ; the half to be paid by the 

 State shall be refunded by the order of the State Board of Forestry 



