Trade to Newfoundland Act 1698 (c. 14)

VI. No Fisherman, &c. to possess himself of Stages, &c. which, since the Year 1685, belonged, or hereafter shall belong, to Ships, &c., before the Arrival of Fishing Ships, and until they shall be provided

And for the preventing the ingrossing and detaining of all such Stages Cook-Roomes Beeches and other Places by any Person or Persons for the time to come Be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Fisherman or Inhabitant in Newfoundland or any other Person or Persons whatsoever shall at any time after the said Twenty fifth Day of March seize take up or possesse any of the Stages Cook-Rooms Beeches or other Places which at any time since the said Yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred eighty five did (or at any time hereafter shall belong to any Fishing Ship or Ships) for taking Bait or fishing or for drying curing or husbanding of Fish before the Arrivall of the Fishing Ships out of England Wales and Berwick and untill all such Ships shall be provided with Stages Cook-Rooms Beeches and other Places for taking Bait and Fishing and for drying curing and husbanding of Fish