Crown Lands (Forfeited Estates) Act 1698

XCIV. Where Lands, &c. unoccupied, and no Distress found,

Collectors, Constables, &c. may enter and distrain; Proceedings thereon.

Provided alwaies, and be it further enacted, That in case any Lands or Houses, in any Parish, Place or Constablewick, shall be unoccupied, and no Distresse can be found on the same, by reason whereof the said Parish Place and Constablewick are forced to pay and make good the Tax assesed upon such Land lying unoccupied that then it shall and may be lawfull, at any time after, for the Collectors, Constable or Tythingman of the said Parish, Place or Constablewick for the time being, to enter and distraine upon the said Land or Houses, when there shall be any Distresse thereupon to be found: and the Distresse and Distresses if not redeemed within Four Daies, by Payment of the Tax and Charge of the Distresse, to sell, rendring the overplus to the Owner or Owners of such Distresse; And the said Collector Constable, or Tythingman, is hereby enjoyned to distribute the Money raised by the said Distresse and Sale, proportionably to the Parties who contributed to the Tax of the unoccupied Lands and Houses.