Protection for the ruffed grouse.

The illegal cutting of pine.

A proposed act to prevent damage from fires.

Regulations to be set annual/y.

1780, 22 March. — An Act for the killing of PARTRIDGES at improper seasons. [20 Geo. m, C. V]

Whereas the Killing of Partridges in the pairing and hatching Season, and before they can fly, has greatly reduced the Breed of that useful Bird, and endangers a total Loss of the same: to prevent which

Ill. Be it enacted That from and after, the Publication hereof, no Person or Persons whatever, shall presume to shoot, kill, or destroy any Partridge or Partridges, between the first day of April, and the first day of August in each and every year, under the Penalty of forfeiting the Sum of Ten Shillings for each Partridge so shot or killed.

And it is hereby declared, That this Act shall continue and be in Force for the space of Three Years next after the Publication hereof, and to the End of the then next Session of the General Assembly of the Island, and no longer.

1780, 17 July — An Act to prevent the cutting of Pine or other Trees without Permission of the Proprietor, . [20 Geo. III, C. IV]

Whereas there has been great Waste committed of Pine and other valuable Timber in this Island; to prevent which in Time coming.

I. Be it enacted That no Person or Persons whatsoever shall cut down or fell any Trees, or Timber, nor bark or box* any Pine or other Trees, standing or growing upon any Lands on this Island, nor carry away the same therefrom, without first obtaining a written License from the Owner or Owners thereof, or from their Agents or Attorneys, on pain of forfeiting and paying the sum of Ten Shillings for every tree, if the same measures twelve inches through, or under, and all trees above that size so cut, removed, barked or boxed, the sum of Thirty Shillings; one Moiety thereof to be paid to the respective Proprietors of said Lands and Trees, and the other Moiety to any Person or Persons who shall or may inform or sue for the same, before any of His Majesty’s Justice of the Peace in this Island; Provided the Forfeiture shall not exceed the sum of Five Pounds; but if the same should exceed that Sum, then to be recovered by due course of Law, in the Supreme Court of Judicature.

Ill. And be it further enacted, that no Person shall be liable to any prosecution under this Act, unless the same commence within six months next after such Trespasses shall or may have been committed.

[no date] — A Bill Intit/ed An Act for preventing Damages by unseasonable Burning or Firing of the Woods. [PAROz RC. 3, Ser. 2, Subser. 2]

Whereas setting on Fire the Woods and underbrush in the dry season of the year by spreading has done much damage, and whereas since the late Storm great apprehensions are entertained of the Woods being entirely destroyed the next season if some Regulations are not made to prevent as far as possible the spreading of fire.

Be it enacted by the Lieut Governor Council and Assembly that the Grand Jury at the Supreme Court of Judicature at the Hilary Term [i.e. January to Easter ] thereof in every Year shall affix and settle such regulations as they shall judge most proper and convenient to be observed and followed by the Inhabitants in the several Settlements of this Island for preventing damage by setting fire to and Burning the Woods, underbrush or Marsh Lands at unseasonable times with as little prejudice as possible to the clearing of Lands in the New Settlements. And such Rules and Regulations be and are hereby declared to be the stated rules to be kept, observed

and followed by the inhabitants in the Several Settlements of this Island and during the year following.